Yesterday at church, the pastor said something that I have heard numerous times growing up. He mentioned that we are blessed to be a blessing to others. Now, in a day where many churches are proclaiming that God wants to bless us with bigger and better, this seems to fly in the face of that … Continue reading Monday Motivation: Blessed to Bless
Belief is a word we often throw around in Christian circles, and it is not a bad thing. However, I believe there is a fundamental difference between believing and accepting. This difference may be subtle, but I think it is a huge part of our faith as we are following Christ. So what is the difference?
Last week, I was in a Christian bookstore when I saw Craig Groeschel's book The Christian Atheist. Now let me preface this by saying I have not read this book, but it caught my attention and had me thinking all day. Why is the pastor of the largest multi-site church in the country, Life.Church, writing a book about Christian atheists? Or even more, what is a Christian atheist? Because I would hazard to say that Christian atheism may be the most dangerous thing facing our church today.
You know what might be the WEIRDEST story in all of Scripture to me? The story in Luke 10 where Jesus sends out the 70. Jesus sends these 70 out with the command preach about the kingdom of God being near. When they return to Jesus they have great news! But Jesus sees something even greater than what any of them do...
Yes, it is vital for the Christian life to meet in community and fellowship as the body of Christ, but we must not neglect our own personal walk with the Lord as well. After all, it is often in these private encounters when God reveals his glory to us.
I know what you're thinking. "Woah, Josh, slow down. Lessons from hip-hop in the church? Have you heard the lyrics in music?" I know what you're thinking, but hear me out.
Do you know what blows my mind? Jesus tells us "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad" (Matt 5:11-2, NRSV). Paul seems to be saying the same thing in Philippians 1:29. James is telling us that in James 1:2-4 and Peter says it in 1 Peter 3:14. Why is persecution a blessing or a good thing? Well, there are a number of things I can tell you, but one of the positives of persecution is that it bears witness to our faith.
