The House You're Building

    [11] Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—[12] remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. [17] And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit...

      Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2   A few months back I got a letter from a dear friend.  She’s been through a lot in the past year and as part of her grieving process was reflecting on life.  She wrote to me a long letter, with pencil, written on notebook paper.  It was sent through the mail, delivered in an envelope with a stamp.  Though writing handwritten notes was a common practice when I was in middle school, it’s been ages since I’ve not only written but received such correspondence.  Because of that I appreciated her time and method of sharing even more.  Mo...

        Orient  John 14:1-31 Jesus continues His teaching in the Upper Room, giving His followers perspective before His imminent arrest and trial.  This section is considered a farewell discourse as Jesus gives final thoughts and his followers respond in sorrowful questions, not knowing what will happen.  Important teaching about the Holy Spirit is found in this section and can be regarded as a key passage detailing His unique work and personhood within the Trinity.       Introduction Bread broken and wine poured.  The One who cleaned their feet reclines with them at the table.   Judas the betrayer has just gone out to gather soldiers and a guard to assist the Pharisees to arrest Jesus.  Peter, who proclaimed He would never betray Him, is told this very night he would deny Christ 3 times.  Yet Jesus continues to teach and comfort His closest followers knowing that hours from th...

How often do you think about your patterns and habits?     Is it only when something is going wrong or like many, do you become contemplative around the transition to a new year?     I’ve been thinking about my lifestyle for about 3 months now, so though December is winding down, and January is quickly approaching, the words I share with you aren’t a new thought in my mind.  Yet before God highlighted this passage as I was reading, I couldn’t quite put into words the cause of my disquiet:    You have sown much, and harvested little.  You eat, but you never have enough; you drink but you never have your fill.  You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm.  And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Haggai 1:6 (ESV)   In a word, I’ve been weary.  At Christmas, the hymn [1]  tells us “the weary world rejoices” which sounds fantastic except I’m not rejoicing—I’m just tired. ...

Recently, in preparation for some teaching I have coming up, I’ve been studying the book of Malachi.     Not a book people typically study this time of year, but why not?     It’s the last thing word for God to his people before angels announce a baby born in a humble stable.     This particular prophet was sent to a people who were weary of worship—why?  Because the presence of God wasn’t showing up as they expected.     They were the remnant who returned after the Babylonian captivity, a dark time where God allowed another nation to discipline them for their continual rejection of Him. Yet God is always faithful to His people and brought them back to rebuilt his temple, despite the presence of enemies who intended to put a stop to God’s people creating a place for God to be with them.     Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the othe...