Focus on Eternity

       One of the primary focuses inside a small group setting is to love one another. As a small group leader, I try to foster an environment where people feel open to express themselves. With many years in this role, it seems as though spiritual warfare is at an all-time high. The trials and tribulations of those we’re called to love seem to be escalating. Promoting vertical vision is the solution. But it can also be the biggest challenge in a conversational setting. Galatians 6:1-3 directs our thoughts on how to conduct ourselves in a small group environment. It says, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”        This last sentence from the apostle Paul is most convicting. It tells me not

     For the past several weeks, I've been studying the book of Romans.   I plan to spend considerable time in this book, Lord willing.   I've recently learned that Paul uses a technique in his writing called 'charaz,' which means that he strings passages of Scripture together as if he were stringing perils.  Because I'm from the Midwest, I can more easily relate to creating a popcorn string to decorate a Christmas tree.   Whether perils or popcorn, Paul is stringing together Old Testament truths to support his gospel message.        It wasn't until Jesus visited him on the road to Damascus that Paul was able to piece together a clear understanding of the New Covenant that God had planned from the very beginning.  The more I study Paul's writings, the more profound I find his wisdom.   In prior journeys through Romans, I have missed much of what Paul was trying to say, but now I'm taking smaller bites, nibbling, and relishing more and more of the flavo

        This morning I had a short but heavy reading from my Bible, which focused on sin.   As I read, this thought lingered, 'It's an ugly truth; even though we know better, we seldom do better.'   In his letter, Paul states that sin accompanies not acknowledging God (see Romans 1:28). I've never spent four days on one chapter like I have this week, but my New Year resolution was to look more deeply into the book of Romans.   In these short nine verses (Romans 1:24-32), we see the phrase, "God gave them up," three times (see verses 24,26 and 28).   First, God gave them up in the lust of their hearts to impurity.   Second, God gave them up to dishonorable passions, and last, God gave them up to a debased mind.   Who is the 'them' in these verses?   Yes, that is an awkward sentence, yet we must know that 'them' refers to sinful humanity.      Each time God releases man, it is traced to a cause; it is not unforeseeable.   In verse 21, it says,

     This morning I was very encouraged to share a Bible study on the birth of Jesus.  I began by asking the question while holding my Bible up for all to see.  What is this?  The Bible?  They responded as though answering a question with a question.  It wasn't that they were puzzled by the book's content, but more by my question.  After all, this was a Bible study.  It wasn't so evident to others shopping in the store why we were sitting in a circle of chairs offering a whole table of Christmas delights like coffee, tea, punch, muffins, cookies, and candy.  We had hoped to encourage others to participate as they entered the store.  Would our open Bible study draw anyone who needed to know just a little bit more about Jesus this holiday season?      I just read the obituary of a man who often greeted me for routine oil changes on my car.  He was such a good-hearted man; you never got a glimpse of anything but genuine concern for humanity.  I was drawn to his pleasant per

              Before reading this article, please take time to read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-16.       The morning after a long Thanksgiving weekend, I am ashamed to admit, I found myself provoked by a passage of Scripture I encountered in 2 Thessalonians 3.  After reading it, I penned the following phrase, "Don't Grow Weary—Idleness Is Not a Virtue in God's Kingdom."  I felt a little guilty after sitting too long in a comfortable chair, enjoying good food, and watching hours of football.  Possibly you joined me in this holiday tradition.  When I wasn't consuming food or sport, I filled my time with binge-watching past episodes of a popular British crime series.  Yes, it was highly entertaining, but it held no lasting value.  If we're not careful, we might find ourselves caught in idle pursuits without thinking about glorifying God.       As I recall my lazy weekend, I promised myself that I would roll up my sleeves and diligently pursue what the Bible has to