My colleague Paul Carter says: “Faithfulness is a team sport.”*That’s an important reminder, especially for Christians in the modern west. Our society is highly individualistic. We can get sucked into the thinking that faith is only about “me and Jesus.”Don’t get me wrong. It is definitely about you and Jesus. But it is also more … Continue reading Faithfulness is a team sport
body of Christ
Play your part
The Apollo 13 spacecraft launched into orbit in 1970. Many of us know the general parameters of the story because we’ve seen the moving starring Tom Hanks.In short, things go sideways. Stuff starts breaking and the lives of the astronauts are in danger. At home, everyone watches their TV screens in suspense and send up … Continue reading Play your part
Does having faith mean I’ll get rich?—no and yes
In Mark 10:29-31 Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and … Continue reading Does having faith mean I’ll get rich?—no and yes
When God speaks through other people
Some people hear directly from God. It happened in the Bible (with people like Saul, for example). And it sometimes happens today. But more often than not, we need to discern God’s will in our lives without the benefit of an audible voice from above. Primarily, he speaks to us through the Bible. It is … Continue reading When God speaks through other people
When you feel unqualified
“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13). If only. If only I had fewer problems in my past… If only I was a better speaker… If only I had more … Continue reading When you feel unqualified
Bringing heaven home
We’ve spent some time thinking about our true citizenship. Paul says that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). That reality has implications for the lives we are leading right now. The ancient city of Philippi was a Roman colony. Rome had tonnes of people, including retired soldiers. The city was too small to support … Continue reading Bringing heaven home
Building muscle together
There are many biblical descriptions for the church. It is called the bride of Christ, the people of the Way, and a family. It is also called the body of Christ. This is captured in 1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” … Continue reading Building muscle together
“But they were brought up in the church…”
I sometimes hear people express disappointment that someone they know has walked away from God and his church. It’s painful and sad. “But they were brought up in the church,” they will sometimes say. In other words, since they often went to church, shouldn’t they know God and how important it is to worship and … Continue reading “But they were brought up in the church…”
Body. Team. Army.
As Christians we often talk about being the hands and feet of Christ. This is based on passages like 1 Corinthians 12:27 where Paul says this: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” He also says that Christ is the … Continue reading Body. Team. Army.
Rarely does he let me see the script
In her book No Greater Love, Rebecca McLaughlin writes: “I thoroughly believe that God directs my life, but rarely does He let me see the script.”* Can I get an Amen?! Like McLaughlin, I thoroughly believe that God directs my life. Perhaps you also agree that God directs your life. When she says that God … Continue reading Rarely does he let me see the script
