House2HouseMD

Real Christians do not Dance Disco Someone will say, show me where in the Bible it says Christians should not dance to disco music. It is found in the book of 1 Liberty 1:1. In the same book, you will also see where it says Christians cannot drink wine or beer or any alcohol and that all Christians must be vegetarians like me. By now you must have concluded that I am going off of my mind. You are right. On each of these issues, I know that you already have a position. In Romans 14, Apostle Paul calls these “Disputable Matters”. Another word for this is “Christian Liberty”. These are the gray areas where we all have some level of discretion to act. Let’s read what Apostle Paul says in Romans on these issues. Romans 14 13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. 14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food[b] is unclean in itself. But if anyone reg...

God’s Ministers It is election time in the USA and we are bombarded with campaign commercials; all kinds of promises if elected and of course the amusing ways the candidates go at each other to attack and make the other look bad. Not withstanding all the wrangling, we thank God for a democracy where people can vote and eventually leaders at various levels are selected. At present, it looks like Obama, Clinton or McCain could be the next president of the United States. Have you thought of any of them or other elected or non-elected leaders as God’s Ministers or servants? Let’s see what God’s Word calls leaders and rulers. Romans 13:1, 4-6 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to b...

Living Sacrifice Webster defines sacrifice as, (a), “The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage; especially the ritual of slaughter of an animal or person for this purpose; (b),The forfeiture of something highly valued, as an idea, object, or friendship, for the sake of someone or something considered to have a greater value or claim”. In the Old Testament, we observe many instances of actual sacrifice where people brought animals or birds to the temple for sacrifice. The New Testament clearly teaches that Christ became our sacrifice atoning for our sins once and forever. So what is Apostle Paul urging us to do in Romans in relation to sacrifice? Keep in mind that Romans 1-11 has been almost totally focused on showing us how God elected us for the purpose of showing us His mercy. Romans 12: 1-2 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship...

God, Go Figure! Some things are very easy to understand and prove. An example is the law of gravity. If you throw anything or object up, it will surely come down. Why? The object comes down because there is nothing supporting it, so the earth’s gravity pulls it down. There are things that have been used to counter the law of gravity otherwise the air planes would not fly. Let’s leave that explanation to the physicists. When it comes to full and total understanding and comprehension of God and His ways, there is no explanation. Apostle Paul in Romans reached this conclusion after wrestling with the issue of God’s election through grace for the purpose of showing His mercy. Romans 11: 28 - 36 28As far as the gospel is concerned, they (the Jews) are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as...

What Are You Hearing? Faith comes by hearing the word of God. You would think the bible would have said, “faith comes from our previous experience of a miracle”. Both “saving faith” and faith for our daily living come from the word of God. There is no other means of faith except through the word of God. It is also a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Who are you hearing and have they been sent to you by God? Romans 10: 12-17 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f] 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"[g] 16But not all the Israelites accepted ...

Is God unfair and unjust? As we celebrate this week the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. we are reminded of the issue of fairness, equality and justice. We have experienced, seen or heard of many instances of unfairness and lack of justice to individuals or groups of people in our society and in various parts of the world. Is God fair and just in his dealings with people? The fact that such question can be raised is evidence that we have an idea of what fairness and justice is. Where did we get our ideas of fairness and justice and if from God, would the one who established the standard for justice be unjust in his dealings with humans? What about God’s decision to choose/elect some and not all for salvation? Is that fair? Let’s read Romans 9. Romans 9: 6-24 6It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac tha...