Yesterday

Nov 5

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution The Product of Pain
    Pain. Life pain. It's real. We often ask, in times of pain, "Why?" One reason might be because it is due to something I did or said. Pain is often the by-product of stupid choices I've made. But the pain that comes due to situations I have no control over or are not a by-product of choices I've made - maybe a by-product of a choice someone else made...why that pain? While pain often seems forever... Read more »

Nov 3

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution What More Reason Do I Need To Worship?
    If you read these verses and let them soak into your brain - and you find yourself NOT worshiping ... you should check your pulse and see if you are still alive! In just these three verses, God has: 1. Given us a new birth - a NEW birth!! 2. Brought us into a living hope - a LIVING hope!!! 3. Brought us into an inheritance that will never perish - NEVER EVER NEVER EVER!!! 4. Shielded us and protected... Read more »

Nov 2

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution What for? - Pt. 2
    You were not only chosen to obey (see "What for? - Pt. 1), but you were also chosen for "sprinkling by His blood"? What? In the Old Testament, blood was sprinkled and used to seal an agreement. What happened in the O.T. was symbolic of what was to come and happen with Christ. The blood of Christ "sprinkled" - poured out at the crucifixion - seals the agreement God is making with you as a follower... Read more »

Oct 31

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution What for? - Pt. 1
    God chose me "for"? . . . My boat was made for floating on a lake not sitting in my garage. My grill was made for grilling outside not inside. My mower was made for cutting grass not shredding tree branches. It is not only a waste to use these for purposes other than what they were made for, but it is also dangerous and stupid. God chose me "for". For what? "For obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling... Read more »

Oct 27

Oct 26

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution God Chose Me. Me.
    "Elect" and "Chosen" ... lots of theological debate and discussion have surrounded these two words. I have been part of that at times. Lately though - I want to just chew on this truth at face value and be amazed at the simplicity of what God wants us to realize. Let's not complicate it. Think about it. The eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, never-changing, creator, holy, all-present...God -... Read more »

Jul 14

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Seared
    What will prevent my conscience from being seared from the truth? From right vs wrong? Searing (a wound) happens when something extremely hot comes in contact, for an extended period of time, with the wound/skin. With this in mind, searing a conscience happens when a hurting/wounded conscience comes in contact and stays in contact with false teaching. Healing is being sought. Answers to questions... Read more »
  • jlaeger
    jlaeger bookmarked 1 Timothy 4:1 NIV

Jul 7

Jul 6

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Good Reputation
    Here's my struggle...God has called me and the church to reach the "outsiders" mentioned in this verse. If my reputation is weak or such that outsiders criticize me or think less of me - not only am I widening the gap between them and me, but more tragic is that I am widening the gap between them and the church and them and Christ. BUT...too often I find myself being criticized not by outsiders but... Read more »

Jun 24

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Easy for me to accept this - but...
    This whole passage (and others) about the role of women in the church is easy for me to read and accept. But I am a guy. However, there is something unsettling in my gut in my easy acceptance of this. Not in the sense of "God said it. I believe it. That settles it for me." But unsettling because "easy" leads me to quickly skip over it without digging into the treasures that are there. "Easy" might... Read more »

Jun 19

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Can't get any clearer...
    I am a bit vulnerable today. My 14 yr old dog (that's 69 yrs old in dog years) is not doing well and I fear the worse. I have never had a more loyal, faithful, gentle, obedient dog. She has been part of our family since she was 8 weeks old. When I get vulnerable like this, the grace and mercy in my life is harder to find and my tolerance level goes down - especially with Christians and religious... Read more »

Jun 16

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution What if we traded...?
    What if we traded all the critical whining and condemnation we get so vocal about in regards to our governmental leaders with prayer? What if, everytime we were about to say something critical - we prayed instead? This country and world would never be the same. I just don't understand how we (Christians) can read this verse and others that speak of praying for, respecting, and obeying our authorities... Read more »

Jun 15

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Shipwrecked
    Why did Paul use the word "shipwrecked"? Build your faith on false doctrine, heresay, books (even books authored by great and godly men), church programs, opinions of friends ... and there will come storms in your life, seasons of living, and situations you are put in that your faith will not be able to withstand. You will fall. Your faith will not hold. And too often, you will get defensive and... Read more »

Jun 13

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Drawn to Worship
    Right in the middle of Paul talking about who he was and how God poured out His mercy and forgiveness on Him - he makes this statement about God. Seems out place from one perspective, but the more I think about the entire context, it is not out of place at all. Maybe it seems out of place initially to me because of my theological training and hearing teachers dissect this verse, write doctrine around... Read more »

Jun 12

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Purpose of My Past
    Paul was not ashamed of his past. He wasn't proud of it either in the sense of boasting about what he did and who he was. But, he was not ashamed of it in the sense of not wanting to talk about it or admit it. He used it to point to Christ. He used it to point to God's mercy and forgiveness. He used it to put his foot down and say, "Yeah, my past was bad. But God's mercy and forgiveness are bigger... Read more »

Jun 9

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Pouring Out Grace
    Paul was the exact opposite of what we often think is necessary for someone to be used by God. Many of the things that Paul just mentioned to Timothy, Paul was. But God poured out His grace abundantly on Paul and Paul's past or present behavior/lifestyle did not disqualify him from serving God. A major element to consider though is that Paul was living this lifestyle in ignorance. He didn't know... Read more »

Jun 8

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution The Good Law
    Recent events are no doubt affecting the lens I am reading this passage. Bottom line...the law is for ME. I am ungodly, sinful, etc. Now, some will argue and say, "No. You are righteous. God made you righteous. You are holy and forgiven because you are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ." And they would be 100% right. The difference here is that it is God who is making me and declaring me... Read more »

Jun 2

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Well-Intentioned False Doctrine
    I know it's probably stretching the specific application and situation Paul intended - but "false doctrines" could also include misperceptions that people really do believe is truth and they "teach" it by the small talk with others and/or by modeling it in their behavior. They aren't choosing to teach false doctrine, they are just living out what they believe to be true. Add to this that if this false... Read more »

Jun 1

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution The Goal of this Command is Love
    The immediate context is commanding men not to teach false doctrine, myths, and endless genealogies. The broader context is the rest of 1 Timothy and Paul's charge to Timothy on what it will take to lead a church. To carry out this command (v. 3) will mean confrontation. Anytime you tell another person to stop something or change something, you are confronting them. Confrontation is always potentially... Read more »

May 29

  • jlaeger
    jlaeger added a text contribution Promoting Controversies
    "These promote controversies rather than God's work–which is by faith." Dictionary.com defines controversy as "a prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; disputation concerning a matter of opinion." It is an argument. It creates division. What I find interesting is according to this definition, it is centered around a "matter of opinion" - not a matter of truth. Opinions are "me"...what... Read more »