The first few clauses of Matthew 5 are so amazingly profound, and directly simple. They are plain words that anyone with simple understanding can receive. But, they seem trivial until you realize they are the life of faith, they set the attitude for the whole Christian walk, and they make us very, VERY happy. Read more…
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ
John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
In Exodus 33:15, Moses told God “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” This is the heart of the church. If God does not show up, us meeting is little more than a social club.
Colossians 2:8 points out a key distinction between the Christian church and everything else. Does what we do depend on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, or does it depend on Christ? Focus on the word “Depends”. Think about that word. Everything must be built upon on something. If that ‘something’ fails or changes, or if it shifts or even disappears, your structure comes breaks or even crashing down in. That is how it should be with our churches.
The church is not a building, it is His people coming together. Read more…
There’s two thoughts that come to mind: First, that there’s more. More what? More of everything, really, but more of LIFE! Being alive and at peace, maybe even joyful and happy. Secondly, that we are being lied to. You, me, all of us, have been told all our lives, are being told, and will continue to be told that there isn’t more. It isn’t usually phrased that way, and usually isn’t even put into words, but it doesn’t have to. It comes across in rejection, loneliness, despair, and hopelessness. We are told that this is all that there is, that we can’t do this and that, aspire to anything, or do anything worthwhile, lasting, or meaningful, and we better not disagree.
