Author: Nick

1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours :3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 What does it mean to be a saint? Most would say a saint is one who has led such an exemplary life that he or she is venerated by the church, but God’s Word presents quite a different picture. The Corinthian church was made up of Christians who struggled with all sorts of ungodly behaviors, yet Paul calls them “saints by calling.” This was not due to their behavior, which was often “unsaintly, but because they “have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling” (1 Cor. 1:2). To be sanctified is to be set apart to a sacred use. God has sanctified days (such as the Sabbath), places (the tabernacle), things (Ark of the Covenant), and people. A saint is simply a person whom God has set apart for His purposes. That means every believer is a saint. We are born enemies of God.  (Rom. 5:10). As a Christian, you were born again and are now His child. He forgave […]

There has been much talk lately about our enemies. That got me thinking about whether we are our own worst enemies. I googled “own worst enemy” and came up with a television series which aired for only 9 episodes in 2008 and a Bruce Springsteen song. Frankly, I didn’t get much inspiration from either.I even found an article asking “Are you your own worst enemy” which listed seven “bombs” with which we blow ourselves up. I did find these helpful:1. Procrastination  I know this is one example of how I’m my own worst enemy. I don’t get things done unless I face a deadline. I’ve kind of learned that the secret here is to establish deadlines for yourself in those matters which have no external deadlines. That seems to help. Look around at the unfinished projects in your life. For each, either set a deadline for finishing or scrap them. Don’t put this off that would be procrastinating procrastination. 2. Loose fact-itis I guess we have all been guilty of this one. It usually happens when we a struggling to make a point and we “come up with” a fact to support our position, which we know, deep inside, isn’t […]

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 I have had a nagging knee problem for several weeks now and I haven’t been as quick as I normally am. (I had trouble saying that with a straight face.)  I don’t, for example, “run into” the grocery store. Instead I plan my shopping to minimize walking. The knee gets better each day, but still I find that resting it is a good thing. We are running a spiritual race and it’s a good thing not to be hampered by nagging injuries or by carrying excess weights. You know what I mean, those things that are “lawful” but really don’t help us move any faster. We are all attracted to things which, although in themselves are fine, tend to take away our time and focus from the things we need to be concentrating on. Perhaps a tv show for which we never miss an episode or a “good book” which soaks up our time and attention, these things hinder us in the race. What about petty jealousies […]

I first learned of the death of Osama bin Laden from Saints running back, Reggie Bush. That’s the nature of modern communication. I was reviewing twitter and saw a posting from Bush, “Osama dead?” I saw a confirming tweet from Fox News and turned on the television. Once the news was confirmed, I felt a need to high five someone.  Euphoria quickly spread through the country. I guess this is appropriate. An enemy combatant of our country was dead, the head of a movement who had launched the war on terror. I guess if we were to see the dead body of this terrorist, an old man before his time, we would have to ask what all the furor was about. Even the jubilant crowds gathering outside the White House and in Times Square had a kind of a “it’s about time” ring to them. Is justice delayed, justice denied?  Some question the joy at a death, any death. But I have to say that seeking and achieving the death of an enemy combatant is appropriate in time of war. No matter that he has probably already been replaced by someone stronger, younger and more evil. I was a bit […]

Sunday Pastor T discussed the Light of the World. The topic deserves further comment. Jesus used this phrase to describe himself and his disciples. In John 8:12 Jesus applies the title to himself.  12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Again in John 9:5, He says: When I am in the world, I am the Light of the World. He says this in connection with the healing of a man born blind. This episode leads into John 9:39 where explains that he came to this world, so that the blind may see. Jesus also used that term to refer to his disciples in Matthew 5:14-16:  14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Viewed together these verses establish some important facts: 1. The natural world is in darkness. 2. The natural man […]

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8. Rose and I love chicken. When we were first married, she ate dark meat and I loved white. Now I like dark and she likes white.  Before you hit the “delete” key, this fun fact has a purpose. We are taught to “hunger” after God, but hunger for the Lord is an acquired taste.  I love sushi. I didn’t always and Rosemary still doesn’t. I started with just one favorite roll and every time I get one I also get a different one I haven’t tried before. I don’t always fall in love with each new variety, but more often than not I find something else I like. God is like that. Satan has convinced us that the world has so much more to offer than God does. The earth is God’s wonderful creation but it provides just a “taste” of the goodness of the maker. It is designed to direct us to Him and not be an end in itself. The more we pursue Him, the greater our hunger will be. However, if we ignore Him, what little appetite we […]

For the last few days it seems the world has dropped what it should be doing to watch a wedding. Now, I’m not much of a wedding person so I may be more mystified than most people. Even I have to admit this story has it all. Handsome price, beautiful princess, seemingly in love, really nice people, a million show up outside the castle. Lots of interesting elements. Why are we so interested? Do we all love a good story or fairy tale? Does the darkness inside of us not really believe it is all as sweet as it seems? The public seems to grab at any tiny piece of dirt. Are our own lives not the fairy tale we once dreamed they would be? Is it because it’s English. Some of us love anything English, whether it’s the accents or the sitcoms. I don’t have enough training in psychology or sociology to answer these questions. But I do have to write something on today’s blog so I have some thoughts. There is something attractive about a story that takes us up and away from our daily lives. It seems to me that is what Christ intended for each […]

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on thegrace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior ; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” This is one of those verses that pushes me to think, “He’s got to be kidding.” Does God really mean for us to be Holy like He is holy? What an overwhelming command! It seems impossible. But there are two aspects of this command we must not forget. First, He doesn’t command for us to be holy on our efforts. The Lord is committed to do this in our lives—make us holy. We know the process as sanctification. And that’s the second important aspect, sanctification is a process, a three-stage process by which He sets us apart for His purposes. Stage one occurs at the moment of our salvation. When God declares us righteous, we are positionally holy. The second stage is a progression of growth as we become more and more in practice what we already are in position. This process will continue for as long as we are alive on this earth. The Father has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, and He is continually working to shape our […]