Consider this

            In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul reminds his readers that this world is our not our home and that our real citizenship is in heaven.   He goes on, then, to outline some of the changes that should be obvious in us because of that truth.             First he states that “We live by faith, not by sight” (verse 7).   In other words, we believe that there is more going on than what we see or understand.   Without a belief in the supernatural, there is no chance that anything spiritual will grow in us.   This attitude is the basis for, and the launching pad of, everything else.             Next he says that “Since we know what it is to fear God, we try to persuade men” (verse 11).   If we really believe what we believe, if we think it is truly valuable and necessary, we have to share it with others.   Salvation is not just about me.   Rather, the gospel is about God saving the world.   We must be part of that bigger story.             He then shares his motivation for all of t

            The twenty-second Psalm is one of the most depressing of all.               In it, David complains that he feels like God has abandoned him and that God can neither hear nor save him (verse 1).   He cries out night and day, but God does not answer (verse 2).   His enemies have surrounded him and are tearing him apart like a “Roaring lion tears apart its prey” (verses 12-13).   He notes that “My bones are out of joint… my heart has turned to wax and melted within me… my strength is dried up… I can count all my bones… and people stare and gloat over me” (verses 14-17).   We do not know the exact circumstances that are causing David to feel like this, but it is obvious that he is at one of the lowest points in his life.   He is in a very bad place physically, mentally and spiritually.             One of the blessings of this Psalm is simply that it gives us permission to be honest with God.   Sometimes we act as though Godly people should never struggle, or that faith

            “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).             In the past, I have read that verse as if it was a test with the question being, “Have you ever gone out of your way to look after someone?”   If you answer, “Yes I have helped people in the past” then you pass.   The problem with this thinking, though, is that it does not tell you anything about what you are like right now.             For example, if you were to look at my grade twelve report card, you would see that I got a passing grade in Geo-trig.   However, that was twenty-seven years ago!   If you were to put me in a geo-trig right now, I would fail miserably.   My old report card tells you something about what my skills were at one time, but not necessarily what they are now.             Therefore, what if we looked at this scripture differently?   What if it