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Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame (Romans 5:3-5a). Surely, you've seen the signs. You know the ones. They come out to litter front yards, highway medians, and roundabouts. I've never actually seen anyone put them out, b...
Keep ReadingAnd hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:5). Remember as a kid you learned how shadows could be big and scary how an object's shadow appeared far longer and larger than the object itself? It's interesting how shadows are caused when something is getting in the way...
Keep ReadingWe also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3-4). When Paul wrote to the Roman church, "we rejoice in our sufferings," he wasn't issuing a command. He was stating a fact. Despite being well-acquainted himself with suffering, Paul didn't use the pronoun I. He included believ...
Keep ReadingWelcome to Week 4 of our Kingdom People series! Here's our passage for this week: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the HOPEof the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, becau...
Keep ReadingDear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme a...
Keep ReadingLive such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong,they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us (1 Peter 2:9). When you look at everything going on in the world, it's easy to be pessimistic. Between the wars, famines, political grievances, and civil unrest, it feels like there's a lot of angry people out there. I ofte...
Keep ReadingFriends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life in your neighborhood so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives (1 Peter 2:11,12 MSG). Back in the late 1900s (ahem), the...
Keep ReadingLive such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us (1 Peter 2:9-17). Bansky's Girl with Balloon depicts a black-and-white girl letting go of a conspicuous, bright red balloon. It's been one of my favorite pieces because of its simplicity and intriguing history. Bansky util...
Keep ReadingDear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the worldto live such good livesamong the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good worksand glorify God (1 Peter 2:11-12). Standing out from the crowd - good thing or bad? Conformity to the group or rugged individualism - which way to go? What happens to the middle-schooler who wears a ...
Keep ReadingWhen the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eatwith tax collectors and sinners?" (Matthew 9: 11) College sports are exciting. They're fun to watch, fun to talk about, and fun to be a part of. And everyone loves cheering for the home team. Here in North Carolina, the center of the college sports universe, we know who that is, right? You p...
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