Never Read a Bible Verse

You might be taken aback from the title, but I don’t mean don’t read the Bible.

It means, don’t take a verse out of context; don’t play Russian Roulette with the Bible, flipping it open and then expecting some verse to answer your question.

Wondering what I’m talking about?

Check out this video by Greg Koukl from str.org

If youtube is blocked for you, then just read the article he wrote.

For me, the first verse that came to mind was Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

This is a popular verse for athletes all around the world to remind themselves that they can indeed win, but actually, it’s not about self-empowerment, but about endurance and contentment through difficult times.

Here’s the verse in context:

Philippians 4:10-13

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Pretty easy to infer when you read the verse in context, huh?

Read the whole text - and you’ll find that it’s not that difficult most of the time to properly apply the Bible and live the way a Christian should be living.

 

A Great Article on ‘Feeding the Flesh’ by Josh Harris

I love the simplicity of this post on ‘Feeding the Flesh‘ with its illustrations by Josh Harris.

Josh Harris is the author of the renowned book, ‘I Kissed Dating Goodbye‘ on dating versus courtship.

I think learning how to starve the flesh is an important way we can try to refrain from living compartmentalized lives that can lead to hypocrisy.

 

Yet Another Corrupt Pastor Story…

A pastor is guilty of stealing millions and killing…  Makes me want to vomit.

If it were not already Christian, I myself would probably distance myself from Christians based on this story.

 

Confession, Forgiveness and Truth

Combine these biblical facts together.

• We all long to be loved and want relationships
• We’re all sinners

This means that we’re going to wrong and hurt each other as we try to relate to each other.

Then how do you deal with that?

 

I’m the Exception!

I don’t know how many times I’ve come across someone who thinks that rules are great, and certain policies are great, but that they themselves are the exception.

Politicians, athletes, to everyday parents - the list goes on.

 

A Good Pastor or Leader Should be…

If we were to measure length, we’d use a ruler; for weight, we’d use a scale.  To measure a good swimmer, we’d measure the time he takes to swim a certain distance; for a quarterback, his touchdown and interception numbers.

How do you gauge a pastor or leader?   How do you know if they are “good”?

 

Problems are More than Skin Deep

I cringe when I hear pastors, staff members or leaders who listen to those who have problems and then just say something like the following:

“You’re a sinner, but God’s grace is there, so just repent.”

“It’s okay, everyone has those problems, just repent.”

“We’re all just failures, so just accept that, and get out of yourself and serve God.”

“Try harder to stop committing those sins - you need self-control/self-discipline.  Pray.”

What kind of problems am I talking about?  Any kind - sarcasm, greed, sexual sins, passivity, unwarranted anger, etc.  I believe all these kinds of sins are merely symptoms of a deeper issue inside of us, especially if they are recurrent and seem as vices in our lives.

This kind of advice is dealing with people’s problems in a superficial, skin-deep fashion.  And I can almost guarantee that a person receiving such advice will fall again, and again, and again.