Three activities occupied center stage for the earliest church in the book of Acts. Those three activities were preaching the gospel, baptizing the converts, and planting the church. But running under the radar of those three was the collection for the saints. Jesus had taught his disciples to care for the poor (John 12:5-8). The […]
Week 32 Application | The Treasures in My Garage
Have you seen the credit card commercials that ask, “What’s in your wallet?” Here’s another question: “What’s in your garage?” I keep my garage uncluttered enough that a car can fit inside during the winter, but otherwise my wife Candy concedes the space to me for storing household tools, yard equipment, and a few keepsakes. […]
Week 32 Mission | Waking Up to Our Global Calling
I enjoy spending time in our local public library. Something about the stacks of books and dozens of people reading paperbacks, newspapers, and magazines makes my heart beat a little faster. During my last visit I spotted something I had not seen before. Nestled in the middle of the soft chairs in the children’s section […]
Week 32 Character | Heavenly Minded
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:1, 2). The Most Difficult Adjustment Two years ago my wife and I and our […]
Week 31 Study | God’s Justice
We rarely do justice well. God always does justice well. Romans is about the justice of God—real righteousness. As Paul built a bridge between Jews and Gentiles in the church at Rome he explained what God’s justice looks like. Following the opening greeting and his typical thanksgiving, Paul stated the thesis (Romans 1:16, 17). The […]