Do we leave people torn up or built up?
Amid all the talk about health care these days, God calls us to take care of our own bodies. I shouldn't blame the government if I overstuff myself daily with excessive calories and carbs. Insurance companies can't prevent their clients from careless drinking and driving. Education helps, but teachers and principals can't monitor every student's choices about drugs and sex.
MARK 1:14-20
When Jesus says, Follow me" it's the most amazing invitation you will ever get. Say yes to it.
Are you ever impatient with your life?
Do you ever grow weary of the routine, of the way things are?
Are you absolutely content with where your life is heading on its present vector?
Faith is a lifestyle to live, not just a word to define.
The New Testament portrays the early church with stark realism, and the picture isn't always pretty. The 12 apostles quarreled over which of them was the greatest. Ananias and Sapphira were greedy and dishonest. Immature, divisive members of the Corinthian church misunderstood key doctrines and engaged in appalling immorality. Barnabas and Paul disagreed sharply about Mark's role as a missionary.
Many today see Christians in a negative light. Skeptics consider us hypocrites-weak-minded phonies who use God for a crutch. Politicians see us as a voting bloc. Movie-makers cast us as villains. Culture-watchers point out the church's waning influence on society.
The Best Cleansing Agen
A picture of the Old Testament sacrificial system isn’t pretty. Scripture says blood from the sacrificed animals was to be sprinkled on the altar, on the utensils used for the sacrifice, on the priestly garments, on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant, even on the people. This symbolized the necessity of blood to cleanse them of their sins.
Not many of us would use blood as a cleaning agent, and we certainly would not use it as laundry detergent. In fact, when we get blood on our clothes, we struggle to find something that will get the blood out. We even say we do not want the blood to stain our clothes. So why does God use blood as an illustration for a cleanser?