Paul knew his audience - we see that as he regularly references the Jewish law and, this week, he brings in Abraham and David, both of whom would have been acclaimed as founding fathers for Paul’s intended audience. Like a lawyer presenting his case before a jury, Paul builds on his earlier points by bringing in influential witnesses to prove his points. So, let’s see if we can follow Paul’s case here.
Read MoreVerse Mapping. It’s the latest fad in Christian Bible study. I personally love it. This new method of exegetical (verse by verse, in-depth) study of the Bible is a new way for many to explore the Bible. The James Method was the first group to introduce me to this method. When I heard a publisher was reaching out for reviewers for this Bible, I snatched up the opportunity to join. The Bible did not disappoint.
Read MoreI remember exactly where I was the day my season of waiting began. It was 2014, summer, right in the middle of hot, sticky July. My mother, sister, brother and I were standing in a department store waiting to check out just as the tornado sirens buzzed. Rain began and thunder followed almost immediately. The line was long, snake-like, intimidating, never-ending.
Read MoreHave you ever been wronged? Maybe someone accused you of something you did not do. Or someone excluded you from a group for no apparent reason? Perhaps they spoke poorly of you to others? Whatever the circumstances, I am sure a situation springs to mind.
Read MoreMy preschool friends and I headed out for a walk. First, we descended down the slippery slope, we stopped at the two tall trees, and then we crossed over the “bridge” (currently buried in snow). At last, we had arrived - we were at Pine Tree Patch! This is a frequent destination for my young friends who will spend their time pretending to be animals or finding sticks and building shelters or making up games where they take turns chasing each other.
Read MoreAfter making his point that none of us are righteous in our own right before God, Paul concludes this chapter with a reminder about pride and identity. To boast means to rely on something that gives you confidence to do something or to behave in a certain way. It is the thing that makes you say: I am a somebody because I have that. I can do this because I am this. What you boast in usually becomes your identity and what you fundamentally rely on.
Read MoreMany of you have likely wondered: “What exactly does a Godly man look like today?” There are numerous articles and books written about this topic, as each writer strives to uncover more of this mystery. Many of these types of lists are written from a woman's perspective, since not often do we hear from guys what their opinion of a godly man is.
Read More“Why is belief a virtue?” A friend struggling with their faith once asked me. “There’s no merit in believing Santa Claus exists.” In the moment, her question stumped me because she was absolutely right. Believing in something naively – especially if it turns out to be false – isn’t noble or admirable. It’s pitiable. I think that’s what many people think Christians are doing when we talk about believing in Jesus.
Read MoreWho are you? Have you ever taken a second and truly thought on this? What are some of your first answers that come to mind? Like many others, you may think of your role in your family, your career, your role in friendships, your gender, and your role in church.
Read MoreOnly when we have the eternal perspective and the blessed hope of Heaven will we be able to navigate through life’s inevitable heartbreaks and heartaches successfully. Jesus said to a group of anxiety-ridden and heartbroken disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled...In My Father’s house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you!” (John 14:2). He would say the same to you in your days of difficulty. I know, for that’s what He spoke to me as I experienced several friends and family taken home to Heaven.
Read MoreIn a way, this week’s passage is the climax Paul has been building up to. Chapter after chapter, Paul tries to get the reader to understand God is righteous but none of us are righteous; that the law makes sinners out of all of us. And honestly, it feels like a hopeless cause, a dead end, like we’re all doomed. “But” - that one word turns the tide. It’s the first word in verse 21 that transitions from Paul’s earlier point to this week’s lesson: how an unrighteous person can get access to the righteousness of God through faith.
Read MoreA law will change everything. Planned Parenthood is the only place that helps pregnant women. Roe v. Wade will be overturned and all abortions will magically end. Did you know that according to current statistics there would still be 1,000,000 abortions per year if Roe v. Wade was overturned? Did you know that more women would die due to home abortions?
Read MoreSpring has finally arrived, and it is time to spring clean our hearts. Springtime last year, COVID-19 brought a halt to our busy schedules and the world was forced to take a collective deep breath. We had no choice but to be still. It feels like the year has come and gone, and it has. Many of our projects lay half complete in our garages and our anxious hearts still lay in limbo. From lockdown to lockdown, second to third waves, we continually are given no choice but to face ourselves.
Read MoreOne of the things that I’ve done the most consistently during the past year is to go on walks. With gyms closed in the beginning of the pandemic, I first started walking around my neighborhood and have since moved on to walking in the beautiful greenways in my city.
Read MoreSingleness. That word can feel heavy. Talking about singleness evokes many emotions and opinions. Sometimes this world looks at singleness as some sort of rare and life-strangling disease that can only be cured by excessive dating. I cannot tell you how many times I’m told statements like “any new man in your life?” or “have you tried putting yourself out there?” or “you’re just too picky!”. These statements place a painful burden on singles that make us feel we are missing out on something and even worse, feelings as if God is holding out on us. I know the temptation to doubt God’s promises is dangerously entrapping, but singleness is not a problem to be fixed, but a blessing to be cherished.
Read MoreWhen Jesus opened the door for Gentiles to be numbered with the Jews as those who will one day receive an eternal inheritance, the New Testament Jews appeared to think they had a special advantage because they were Jewish. But in chapter 3, Paul attempts to level the playing field, reminding the Roman church that both Jews and Gentiles are sinners before God.
Read MoreAnother Valentine’s Day rolled around and I’m still on my own. And you know what? I’m okay. Not “okay” as in bitter and four cats away from being a grumpy old cat lady. Not “okay” as in hoping-if-I-am-okay-God-will-remind-me-with-a-boyfriend.
Read MoreSince I’m impatient with a pen in my hand, I have created my own flowy shorthand. It’s efficient and even fun to dash down a symbol and carry on. I particularly relish the swoops and loops of the ampersand I use in place of “and” in all my writing.
Read MoreValentine’s Day is just a day. It’s February 14th every year. It has 24 hours in it. The sun rises at the start of it and the sunsets at the end. We eat. We drink. We go about our lives. Valentine’s Day is just a day. The ‘day of love’ has passed us by yet again and still, there is something deeply ingrained in our concept of this day that leaves quite a lot of us feeling a little more ‘lovey dovey’ than usual.
Read MoreStanding on the shores of the Sea of Galilee I gazed out across the glasslike water. The surface was so still, it reminded me of a magnificent mirror. The calmness of the water ensured a near-perfect reflection of the surrounding Galilee mountains. I felt a holy hush settle gently as the peace of the scene surpassed the water’s edge and wrapped itself around me. I was no longer viewing a tranquil reflection, I had become it. The peace I perceived now sprang from within me.
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