Apr 29
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andiparkin added a text contribution Dead to SinSo in Romans 5:20, we're told that where sin increases, so does grace. And I think a lot of people look at that verse and see it as a great opportunity. It would be very easy to take this verse out of context, and just sin more since God will always forgive us. Is that how we are supposed to live? Paul's got the answer - jump down to Romans 6 verses 1-4. Since Jesus died, we died to our sinful nature. Sure, we're going to mess up, but since we have been baptized into His death, we… Read more »
Apr 14
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andiparkin added a text contribution 1 Cor 10:13This has always been one of my favourite characterisitics of God - - He doesn't ever give us more than we can handle. This is important to remember about temptation, because it gives me a sense of empowerment - I know that I can get through it, Paul says so right here! AND he says that when I do get tempted, there will always always be a way out of it, I never have to give in. Read more »
Apr 13
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andiparkin added a text contribution God's TempleThis is HUGE. We are God's temple. Not only when we're in 'holy buildings' like churches. Not just on Sundays. WE are God's temples, all the time. So our bodies, our minds, our mouths always need to be in practice of that. That means using everyday life to bring glory to God, treating our bodies with respect and practicing purity and discipline. Our bodies are our tools to use to glorify God - nothing more. Read more »
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andiparkin added a text contribution On God's PowerThis is such an example of drawing on God's strength, leaning on His power rather than our own. God truly does use people in their weakness to do incredible things - Paul is the embodiment of that. Read more »
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andiparkin added a text contribution Some Things Never ChangeI think what strikes me about these verses is that the mentalities expressed here are so often seen today as well. So many Christians today base their relationship with God (or lack thereof) on tangible signs, miracles, or the ability to logically explain everything. The importance of faith is emphasized in this passage - believing in Christ, regardless of what you can't see or don't understand. Read more »
Apr 9
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andiparkin added a text contribution Matthew 26:39This floors me. In one short little prayer, I both see myself and the person that I should be. The first part I think we can all relate to. I know that i've said those exact words before - God, 'if it is possible..' And it just breaks my heart because I can practically hear Jesus begging God out of his weakness, out of His sorrow and fear. It just speaks volumes to how huge what He did for us is. The fact that He was so 'overwhelmed with sorrow' (v38) over this, and yet… Read more »
Apr 6
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andiparkin added a text contribution Galatians 2:20In a lot of ways, I look at Galatians as a kind of essay that Paul has written, in order to express why we can find justification in Jesus and not through expectations (or the law) of men. Earlier on, he writes, 'Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.' (Gal 1:10) Paul is really laying out two choices for us - to live to please men, or to live for Christ. I like to t… Read more »
Apr 2
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andiparkin added a text contribution Galatians 1So this book fascinates me right from the get-go. First, Paul switches things up by outright saying how astonished he is by the way these people have been living. And now he's telling them his life story in an effort to see their wrongs. His story is so mind blowing, and its amazing that in two short paragraphs he's able to express so much - about how the God-given truth that he has recieved has turned his life around, from persecuting to preaching. Read more »
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andiparkin added a text contribution HmmSo as I was beginning to read Galatians, this verse really caught me off guard. I've gotten so used to reading Paul's letters where he starts like this 'I am so thankful for you because...' or 'I am so encouraged by you because...' But this starts so differently. This really caught my attention because clearly Paul is going to be addressing something so important in this epistle in order to start it with something so urgent. It's as if he's cutting right t… Read more »