Nov 7

Oct 24

  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Separate From Whom? How Far?
    I've heard all kinds of definitions and applications for being unequally yoked. What does it mean to separate ourselves? the phrase "guilty by association" comes to mind. is there a Biblical basis for that saying? does anyone in the Bible set an example of this? what about Jesus? obviously He did completely stay away from ungodly people. one of the major complaints against Him was his "hanging out"... Read more »
  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Chapter 4
    The focus of chapter 4 is encouragement through trials. Paul uses his ministry and partners as an example of perseverance. vs 3&4 explain that Satan hides the understanding of the gospel is hidden from those who aren't ready to accept. v 7 says trials show our power is from God v 17 says trials are momentary v 18 says we should focus on what He is going to do for us (the unseen) rather than the... Read more »
  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Your Fragrance
    Christians should be a fragrance; are you, are we? To those being saved, we should be attractive and smell sweet. To those who are lost and rejecting God, we should smell like death. Verse 17 refers to ministers who try to smell sweet to everyone to draw more to their ministry, "hucksters" peddling the word and adulterating the divine message. What role does motive play here? Read more »

Oct 15

  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Forgiving as a Church
    Paul begins the chapter by expressing grief over having to rebuke them in his first letter. In verse 5 he brings up one of the incidents he had rebuked them for from 1 Cor. 5. Paul told them (the church in Corinth) to remove this man from the church, now he is telling them to forgive the man, comfort him, and encourage him. Note Paul doesn't specifically tell them to welcome him back into the church.... Read more »
  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Christian Troubles
    Paul states clearly that the Christian life will be filled with troubles, but the Holy Spirit is our comforter. He himself had felt near death (or wanted to die) at times, but those circumstances were to make him dependent on God rather than himself. He knew Jesus would rescue and deliver him as He will us. Read more »
  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Do Everything in Love
    "everything" means sometimes what we do in love may seem negative. discipline, rebuke, relieving someone of duties or their job may not seem very loving, but sometimes it is necessary and could be the best thing for everyone involved. Read more »
  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Adversaries
    most genuine doors of opportunity to serve God will be met with problems, interferences, delays, etc. we should take them as a confirmation of God's will. at the same time we must learn to recognize when God is closing a door we WANT to go through as did also happen with Paul. Read more »

Oct 3

  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Paul's Program for the Church Service
    Here Paul tells us how to conduct a church service. The elements that should be included and how to orderly allow many (uh, that's what he says) to contribute and participate with tongues and prophecy. I suppose there have always been many resigned to verse 28 in exercising their gifts because of the misunderstanding in mainstream churches of their use. Verses 34, 35 speaks to women participating... Read more »
  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution The Benefit of Tongues and Prophecy
    to me, these verses have always seemed to contradict each other as to who tongues are for and who prophecy benefits the most. The Believers Bible Commentary explains that Paul is referring to two types of unbelievers here. Verse 22 refers to those who have rejected the Gospel, like Israel. The unbelievers in verses 23-25 are those who are open and receptive. Paul seems to make this kind of reference... Read more »

Sep 26

Sep 12

  • acmul
    acmul added contributions: Motivating Love and Motivating Love
  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You
    Paul begins chapter 10 with examples of God's dealings with Israel in the Old Testament. Tough love seems to be the theme throughout the Bible. Unfortunately that is about the only discipline that works with us. The last half of chapter 10 re-states the message to the believers in Rome about eating meat sacrificed to idols and exercising our liberties. Verses 27, 28 coin the phrases "what you don't... Read more »

Sep 6

Aug 29

  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution A Healthy Christian Self-esteem
    I love Paul's attitude here. First, he doesn't care or get hung up on what others think about him. Certainly he wants to represent Christ as best he can, but he is confident he is doing so. How many of us will say that in private, much less publicly? Paul relied on the Holy Spirit to correct him when he slipped up. He didn't go around viewing himself as a defeated sinner who needed to repent constantly... Read more »
  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Conceit
    we must be careful as Christians, churches, and denominations not to let our spiritual blessings develop arrogant and conceited attitudes in our hearts.none of us are perfect; none of us have it ALL right. and all of us are God's chosen. Read more »

Aug 22

  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Should We Inspect the Building or the Builder
    The world is full of, and always has been, those who spread false doctrine among the believers. They may have the common foundation of Jesus, but from there the construction starts to go ary (v13). As Christians, we are told to beware of false teaching and warn others, but how far should we go? Certainly, in some cases, false teachers have selfish, destructive motives and should be identified. But... Read more »

Aug 15

  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Moderation & Liberty
    A comparable subject to eating unclean food for us today would probably be consuming alcohol. Paul even mentions wine when talking of moderation, but he goes on to put it in perspective of liberty and judging others for feeling one way or the other. Once again the solution comes back to love. Caring about the impression others get of God through our actions and caring about what our actions may influence... Read more »
  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution Components of Godly Living
    Want to know what's expected of you as a Christian? Read Romans 12 & 13 for starters. A great list here of how we are to live summarized with one word, "love." Chapter 13 addresses how we are to deal with the government and stay out of debt. Good words for today. Read more »

Aug 1

  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution A Much Overlooked Reason For Praise
    Romans 11 explains why we have the opportunity (are allowed) to be saved. Paul ends the chapter with praise and exultation to God. Praise we often miss out on because it stems from truths we often take for granted. That we (each and every individual) were born under circumstances allowing us to become one of God''s chosen. What if the Jewish nation hadn't been disobedient (v11)? What if God hadn't... Read more »

Jul 25

  • acmul
    acmul added a text contribution It's the Truth, Like it or Not
    It is not my intent to address Paul's specific message here but just the general reality. Paul begins in verse 1 by stating he is telling the truth proved in his spirit which is in agreement with the Holy Spirit. He knows it deep down to be true. It's like a disclaimer saying, "you're not gonna like what I'm about to say. It may not seem fair, but it's the truth." He goes on in verses 2 and 3 to say... Read more »

Jul 23

Jul 18