We’re called not only to know Christ but also to grow in Him. We do this by investing our time, talent, and treasure in what will last—the Word of God and people.
The story of Samson shows us that not only is sin deadly; it is also a diminishment. There is no creativity in our flesh signature. But righteousness is creative and an enhancement of life.
No matter your cultural or ethnic background, the wisdom of the cross is always upside down when compared to the wisdom of the world. The world teaches us to rely on ourselves and on our own knowledge, but the way of the cross teaches us that we must rely on the Spirit.
The human tendency is to rely on our own resources instead of the Lord. Knowing this, God made it abundantly clear to Gideon that His hand alone would save Israel—it was not human might that defeated Israel’s enemies.
Losing one’s life to find it, grace, receiving someone else’s righteousness—these things seem like foolishness to the world. But Paul makes the case in 1 Corinthians that the “foolishness of God” is more powerful than any human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Civilizations and circumstances change, but the human heart does not. Every one of us has to choose whether we will rebel against God or whether we will submit to His will.
How do we know what our lives should look like? The world tries to pin many identities on us, but Paul makes it clear: Scripture is our guide.
The book of Judges stands as a sad, stark contrast to the book of Joshua. Whereas the people of the conquest obeyed the Lord under Joshua’s leadership, they quickly fell into rebellion after his death. Because they had set aside God’s law, their enemies were defeating and oppressing them.
Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans to a diverse audience. Consisting of both Jews and Gentiles, his audience had differing views on religious practices—they did not agree on the nonessentials. Romans 14 addresses the manner in which we ought to behave when faced with such a situation in our own lives.
People often begin well but end poorly. The life of Joshua shows us that finishing strong requires remembering God’s purposes and depending on HIm.
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