flynn034

Justified by Faith in Baptism: The Relationship between Romans 5:1-2 and Romans 6:3-7, Plus other Scriptures Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  … Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 5:1-2; 6:3-7 “Set free f...

  As we make our way down the pathway of life we are going to encounter may circumstances that we will have to struggle to overcome. To be sure, there will be much happiness along the way but there will also be a lot of pain and heartache that we will have to endure. We have an enemy that pursues us and he is always right behind us seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).  Constantly, perhaps even daily, there will be a Red Sea of sorts in front of us and like Israel of old we may have that momentary lapse of memory in which we can see no way of escape. I pray that we will ever remember that regardless of the circumstances that surround us in this life our God is with us and He will provide for us a way of escape (Heb. 13:5; 1 Cor. 10:13; Rom. 8:28, 35-39). Understand this, whatever that way of escape may be, it is going to involve moving, pressing forward (Exodus 14:15; Phil. 3:13-14).   The end for the faithful child of God is a place of eternal rest (Rev. 14:13). One who lo...

Al Capone's lawyer was nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was a slick, successful lawyer whose smooth, professional skills continually kept Capone from being imprisoned for his organized crime activities. For his skill, Easy Eddie was paid lavishly and protected like royalty. He lived the high life. He was likely a co-participant in illicit activity himself. Whatever his motivation, Eddie went to the authorities in 1931 and came clean about Scarface Capone, testifying against the mob. That decision most likely led to his losing his life, being gunned down on the streets of Chicago eight years after testifying against his former boss.   Eddie, also known as EJ, had a son. That son went to the Naval academy, graduated, and due to the attack on the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was dispatched from the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA, on December 8, 1941, to join the fight in the Pacific Theatre. Butch O'Hare would go on to win the Medal of Honor and be killed in...

In a recent conversation, a Christian 'explained' her view of modest apparel.  The specific discussion centered on wearing swimsuits at the beach or public pool.  "There's nothing wrong with it," she proclaimed, "because everyone is dressed that way.  No one thinks a thing about it." Her argument fails the test of logic in a couple of fundamental ways.  First, if a certain mode of dress is okay because "everyone is dressed that way," then there is literally no limit to what might be allowed.  In fact, total nudity would be acceptable - according to this view - just so long as "everyone is dressed that way."  We wonder if this sister understands where her faulty thinking could lead.  Is she ready to join the crowds at the "clothing optional" beaches that are springing up in many coastal areas? Secondly, we deny that "no one thinks a thing about it."  If this is so, why are the annual ...

Watch what peaks your interest; it becomes your desire (2 Samuel 11:2-3). So be interested in the things that please Christ (Philippians 2:21).   Watch your desires; they become your lusts (2 Samuel 11:2-3). So desire the heavenly things (Matthew 6:19-21). Watch your lusts; they become your thoughts (Matthew 5:28). So only desire what is good (Proverbs 11:23). Watch your thoughts; they become your words. So "set your mind on the things above" (Colossians 3:1-2). Watch your words; they become your actions (Mark 7:20-23). So use your words for encouragement (Hebrews 3:13). Watch your actions; they become your habits (Romans 7:14-15). So act to help all, especially those in the church (Galatians 6:10). Watch your habits, they become your character (Genesis 6:3; 8:21). So let's follow the patterned habits of the faithful in Scripture (Philippians 3:15). Watch your character; it becomes your future (Titus 1:15-16). So let's keep our character blameless (Hebrews 13:4;...

The Judge   Do you know why Jesus had to die?  Let me tell you a story that might help make it clear.   Do you have a car?   Well, let’s say you are speeding home this weekend at 105 mph.  A policeman catches you on his radar and you get busted.  They impound your car and bring you straight to the courthouse to face the judge.   Well, the good news is that the county you got busted in just happens to be the county in which your dad is the judge.  So you’re thinking that he loves you; he’ll let you off and everything will be fine.   But just as you are entering the courthouse, you consider that your dad is a really good judge.  He never punishes the innocent.  He always punishes the guilty.  He is a good and just judge.   Now you’re a little nervous.  Which is going to win out, his love or his justice?  He’s your dad and he loves you so he’ll want to do good to you.  But he...

  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims. abstain from fleshly lusts which war against your soul (1 Peter 2:11).   Isn't it great to be alive? I love this life and want to stay here as long as possible yet I also know that this world is not my abiding place and neither is it yours. We simply must understand that everything about us in this life, everything that surrounds us here is only temporary in nature, even our life. The life we now live is nothing more than a dressing room for eternity. We are mortals and as such the day is coming when in just a moment of time we will lay aside this earthly tabernacle and take that journey from whence we will not return (Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:1). While we have the opportunity, we had best be laying up for ourselves treasures somewhere besides this old sinful world (Matthew 6:19-21). Today as faithful children of God we travel a pathway that leads us to our eternal destiny. That destiny has with it an incorruptible crown, t...

Loving-Kindness   The traffic was unusually heavy in Troy, AL, on this particular day, but Tara Parker Routzong and her 9-year-old son, Landon, knew it was because many Floridians had fled their homes due to the approach of Hurricane Irma. With thoughts of these evacuees in his mind, Landon noticed that the car in front of them in the Chick-fil-A drive-through had a Florida tag. Assuming that the driver of the car was fleeing the hurricane, Landon told his mother that he wanted them to pay for his meal as an expression of love and good wishes for someone going through a difficult time.   Tara agreed and gave her debit card to Landon. Landon got out of their car and walked up to the driver of the car in front of them and introduced himself. He asked if he could pay for his meal. While the order was being filled, the grateful driver got out of his vehicle and thanked the dynamic duo for their loving-kindness. As suspected, the man had evacuated from Miami due to the hurricane an...

Often we may hear someone say, "I'm not getting anything out of my Bible class." When this happens what is the cause? There may be many causes. One could obviously be that the teacher is not prepared and that he is not doing a good job in presenting the material. However, even if this is the case, still as a Bible student, I can learn much in the class IF I do the proper kind of preparation and study for the class at home. I believe that probably more often than not, the problem lies more in the other direction. The person who makes this statement may, in fact, be putting little or nothing into the class. They come without studying and expect the teacher to suddenly excite them about this subject and fill them with knowledge. This will not happen if we do not show enough interest at home to prepare for the class. Also, how many parents are concerned enough about their children's soul that they make sure they are getting their lessons and bringing their books? Are we w...

Have you ever met one of those people who as they say, "lights up the room when they come in"? I hope you have, because I have and it gives hope to life.   Where I work I have a friend named Anthony, he is one of those people. It may not be a coincidence, but I find it interesting that he works in the Lighting/ Electrical department. He helps bring light into people's lives physically, but also spiritually. Anthony is a lover of God and is not afraid to share his relationship with the father with others. He is one of those folks I look for when I'm at work, because he makes work seem… well, less like work, he brings a little light into my life, a little hope when I see God working in him.   Of course the example for us all is Jesus Christ, our God; our Brother; our friend and our support. I love the description that the Apostle John gives of Jesus in the book of John. In John 1:1-5 we read, " In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God...

Lessons from a hurricane   1)     Job 1:22 – Job did not “ charge God foolishly .” Good lesson for modern disasters! 2)     Be careful about “foolishly charging God” under any set of circumstances. 3)     There are some parallels between Hurricane Harvey and the end of time. a)      God has given warnings – many, many warnings about a “future storm” (sentencing of all men). 4)     This storm will not be limited to one area of the world.  Neither will it be limited to one era of time. 5)     From 2 Thess. 1 we heard about “flaming fire.” 6)     2 Thess. 1:8 speaks about “rendering vengeance” on the unprepared. 7)     Verse 9 refers to “punishment” and “eternal destruction.” 8)     In the spiritual realm, there are no second chances when it comes to m...