1 Corinthians 12 ESV (the whole chapter) For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, … Continue reading The Church in Persecution
rejection
Take Heart
Jesus Christ was getting ready to go to the cross to die for our sins, so that we could be liberated from our slavery to sin, and so we could become slaves of his righteousness. So, he spent some time with his disciples, talking with them, and preparing them for what was coming next. First … Continue reading Take Heart
Persevering
2 Corinthians 6:3-10 ESV We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine … Continue reading Persevering
For His Purposes
Philippians 1:12-14 ESV I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord … Continue reading For His Purposes
Because of His Amazing Grace
1 John 3:1-3 ESV See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has … Continue reading Because of His Amazing Grace
Outcasts for Christ
1 Peter 1:1-2 ESV Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace … Continue reading Outcasts for Christ
Are We Ashamed?
Luke 9:22 NIV And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” These things had to take place, for this was God’s plan that … Continue reading Are We Ashamed?