Doses of Faith

Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Hebrews 2:1 As I studied the apostles' letters to the churches, I was challenged by the repeated reminder that Jesus obediently yielded to the cross for our sins. All the writers repeated the message of salvation which came through the cross where Christ's blood was shed for our sins.  Jesus died on the cross, buried in a tomb, and on the third day the tomb was empty. Jesus Christ arose from the dead and lives. He lives! 'After the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God.' Mark 16:19 The apostles departed and obeyed Jesus' command, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.' (Mark 16:14) They spread the gospel teaching salvation, the power of the Holy Spirit, and how to live out their faith.  Now, here we are thousands of years later. We have their message. We ...

  Salvation. Born again. What is it? As a child, I heard the story about Jesus telling the young Pharisee what he must do to enter into heaven. He must believe. He must be born again. As Moses had lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of God must be lifted up. In other words, the Son of God is the sacrificial lamb for all our sins, and all who believe will have eternal life. We have our physical birth. To be born again is our spiritual birth receiving God in us. Are you born again? If not, do not linger too long. Here is what Peter and Jesus had to say about salvation and being born again. From the prophets in the Old Testament to the messengers in the New Testament, the message is about the Messiah, the sacrificial Lamb, who will bring salvation to all who will believe. “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of C...

 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:1,2 James' letter was not just written to the Church, but to the Jews who believed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Due to persecution, many believers left Jerusalem. Yet, it appears that persecution followed many of them. In this letter, James encourages and instructs these persecuted churches. They had drifted from faith and God giving in to temptations.  James goes on point in the first words of the letter addressing temptation. Why are we tempted? Where does temptation come? How do we face temptation? As I read James' letter, I see that today's church is no different. Each Christian faces temptations and trials. Each church is filled with many different sets of opinions and challenges. Yet do we react to those trials...