There is nothing secondary about the religion of Christ.  Everything is of primary (first!) importance!  Think about how this is emphasized throughout the New Testament. Jesus “rose early on the first day of the week” (Mark 16:9; Matt. 28:1).  He appeared to His disciples on “the first day of the week” (John 20:19, 26).  The early church assembled on “the first day…

There is a really neat section in the book of Galatians that presents the great blessing a Christian has in being a “son” of God.  In chapter 3, verse 26, Paul starts using the second person pronoun “you,” to make it very personal for his Christian readers.  “You are all sons of God through faith…And…heirs according to the promise” (3:26-29).  “God sent…

As of today, if I wanted to get you a message, I could call you on your home phone, call you on your cell phone, call you on your work phone, send you a text message, send you an instant message, send you an email, send you a private FB message, write on your wall, look for you on Google+, Skype you,…

While we may not be familiar with the Greek noun, mimetes, or its verb root, mimeomai, we do know the English word that we have from these words – mimic. To mimic someone involves imitating their actions, their words, their attitudes, their inclinations, their mannerisms, their temperaments, etc.  As long as he was mimicking Christ, Paul told early Christians to mimic him…

The New Testament teaching on faith has been so misunderstood and misrepresented. The New Testament speaks a lot about “believing.”  “Believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15); “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23); “Those who believe in His name” (John 1:12); “Whoever believes in Him” (John 3:15-18); “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life” (John 3:36); “If…

Think about these words.  David wrote in the long ago, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side…” (Psa. 124).  Think about how you would or could finish that sentence in your own life—“If it had not been the Lord who was on my side…”  David makes that statement twice (“If it had not been the Lord who…

Throughout the Old Testament prophets, but especially through Isaiah, God beckoned to His people, “Listen to Me!” As you read these words over and over, you can almost hear the anguishing and pleading heart of God.  As a loving Father, the Lord begs His children, “Listen to Me…you stubborn-hearted…My people…you who follow after righteousness…you who know righteousness…Listen carefully to Me” (Isa. 46:3,…

Did you ever play Tee Ball?  Was hitting the ball ever any easier?  They would place that ball on top of that adjustable tee.  Some leagues used a bright orange ball, so you could definitely see it.  If the tee was too high or too low, they would adjust the height to put the ball right in line with your swing.  Easy! …