BUILDING ON BEDROCK

Here is the final wrapup of the series that began in January.  It has been difficult and controversial, but I'm convinced it's both Biblical and essential for the future until the Lord Jesus Christ returns.  May God bless and encourage very listener!

This is our final look at how the Character of Christ should be reflected in local assemblies, notably, the Fruit of the Spirit.  One more episode and "Building on Bedrock" will be completed.  

This is a double episode: we consider 2 aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit: longsuffering, or patience, and kindness.  May all believers reflect these qualities every day of our lives.  

We're examining the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 and 23 as the character of Christ manifested in the body of Christ.  As always, I hope it's an encouragement and a blessing! 

We continue our consideration of the Fuit of the Spirit as an aspect of "Christ in Session"; the Corporate Christ in action!  We "reflect" on the difference between Joy and happiness.  As always, I hope it's a blessing and an encouragement!   

In our examination of the New Testmaent model for local churches, we turn from the power and authority of Christ to His character.  The first and primary aspect of that is God's Agape Love.  May we all reflect it to each other and our neighbors! 

In this series we've already seen how Christ should be manifested in local churches in POWER: basically, Holy Spirit giftings.  With this episode, we complete how He should be manifested in AUTHORITY: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds and Teachers.  The final way He should be seen in us, CHARACTER, will start next.  As always, I hope this is a blessing!

Keeping in mind that all these authoritative ministries are TEAMS and not individuals, we consider the role of "shepherds" in the local churches.  While they are related to teachers, and often the same office, our tranditons have clouded the true functions of these offices.  May God steer us away from trends and traditions to open our hearts to his truth!    

Outside of Jesus Himself, we have only one example of Evangelist in the New Testament: Philip, who started out in Acts 6 as a deacon.  As always, I hope this episode is a blessing, an encouragement...and a push in the rith direction.   

Almost everybody who reads the title of this episode will think he or she knows what I say in it, and  most of them will be wrong.  It's a controversial subject, and what I say won't really support any of the more vocal positions.  Whether you agree or disagree, I hop it'll be a blessing and an encouragement!

Nobody has to agree with me about this very difficult passage, so please be Bereans (Acts 17:11).  Sometimes the title is the hardest part!

The genealogy continues; why is Ruth, a woman AND a Gentile, included?  Why is Bathsheba mentioned but not named?  What significance does all this have for us?

Here I close out the Third Psalm, considering the Source of our Peace...and what our attitude should be toward fear.  Hope it's a blessing, and looking forward to your comments, as always.  

Reflection 23 is now published!  Here I begin Reflecting on the Third Psalm.  This one blesses and comforts me in a deeply personal way.  I hope it's a blessing, and look forward to your comments.