Seeking the Gospel Truth

Today as I prepared for my blog and podcast on Romans chapter 12, in my  personal Bible study I also read Isaiah chapter 59. That just happened  to be the chapter I was on as I go through the Old Testament. It amazes  me how God's Word all fits together. From the Old Testament prophets to  the Gospel writers and then the New Testament letters, they tell us -- so clearly -- how...

When we lived in upstate New York, my mom had a rose garden on the side of the house. Mom liked to experiment with grafting. She'd take a branch from say a white rose bush and graft it into the stem of say a red one. Did we get pink roses? Or were they red with white lines? I don't remember. All I know is she had fun doing it and waiting to see the results. Also, every so often, we'd have a crazy...

In Romans 9 we learned why many Jews don't believe that Jesus is the Messiah. In Romans 10, the Apostle Paul reiterates that salvation is for everyone! And it's up to those who are saved to preach the Good News to the whole world. Read along with my blog... If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven, this is what you have to do… Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy S...

Today in Romans chapter 9, the Apostle Paul answers this question. After I was born again — 14 years ago — and started studying the Bible in a different light (with the Holy Spirit as a guide), in one of my groups, we asked, “Why don’t most Jews  believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah?” I couldn’t get it. We talked  about it and we couldn’t figure it out. Last year, I attended the fune...

Are you absolutely sure that you have your 1-way, non-stop ticket to  Heaven so when you die, you'll instantly be with Jesus? Assurance --  that's what the Apostle Paul explains in Romans chapter 8. This is one  of the most quoted Bible chapters. I'm going to go through it slowly and at the end there's a nice video over on my blog -- part of a series -- from one of the  Bible d...

The street where we lived in Puerto Rico was a one-way street. Many a time I'd watch as a car, going in the wrong direction barely avoided a head-on collision. Did the driver not see the sign? Was the person so lost that they weren't paying attention? I'm sure it's happened to you. You attempt to live your life with all good intentions but the sinful, evil nature that is within all of us, wins in...

Romans 6 is short, but it packs a mighty punch. If you believe that  Jesus died taking away your sins on the cross, are you still sinning  because you can get grace points when you ask  for forgiveness? That's being a salve to guilt. The Apostle Paul  explains that we need to stop being salves to sin and guilt and become  slaves of God's righteousness. Read along with my b...

In our trek through Paul's Letter to the Romans, in the first 4  chapters, Paul's been drilling into us that we need to be made right  with God through faith and faith alone. In  chapter 5, he starts with the word "therefore". Whenever we see this in  the Bible, we need to ask, "what is it there for?" In this case, Paul is  following up the first 4 chapters with some uplif...

We continue our trek through Paul's letter to the church in Rome. In  chapter 4, Paul is trying to convince the Jewish believers that faith --  and only faith -- is what's needed to be counted righteous. Read along in my blog & there's a link to a special podcast episode I did, "Growing up Catholic".  If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven, this is what...

In Romans 3, Paul writes to the Jewish believers in Rome quoting God's own words from the Old Testament. Read along in my blog.... If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven, this is what you have to do… Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.  Pray this prayer humbly and wholeheartedly… “Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins...

On Instagram yesterday an ad popped up in my stories feed for Catholic Church Victims Fund. It probably came up on my feed because I use the #Catholics a lot. On their website, they have a questionnaire asking if you've been a victim of inappropriate touching "by anyone of authority from the Catholic church". If you have, you may qualify for a "significant cash settlement". Doing a little more dig...

Through the Lenten season, I focused on the Gospels -- the Good News -- of Jesus Christ following His footsteps through Holy Week , then His ascension . I then followed His disciples as they dealt with His death and what they did After the Resurrection .  I now start a series through the Book of Romans. It's the first of the  letters from Paul to the various churches around the Mediterra...

The Rapture is one of the most controversial topics among Christian scholars and preachers. I've heard them all, and what makes sense to me  is a pre-tribulation Rapture. Let me explain.... Read along with my blog -- there are links to more resources and 2 videos with more information.... If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven and not being Left Behind , this is what...

Have you ever wondered why the Catholic cross is different from the Protestant cross? I did. When I started church shopping in Miami after I decided to come back to God ,  I noticed a big difference between the crosses in Catholic Churches and  the Protestant Churches. I discovered the reason is rather simple. If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven, this is what...

Jesus is gone up into Heaven to prepare a place for His believers.  However, He told the apostles not to leave Jerusalem, that God would be  sending them a “gift” -- the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2. If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven, this is what you have to do… Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.  Pray this prayer humbly and whol...

The next part of the After the Resurrection story is Jesus ascending into Heaven. Today we read from the end of the Gospel of Luke and the start of the Book of Acts.  If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven, this is what you have to do… Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.  Pray this prayer humbly and wholeheartedly… “Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am...

Peter was a character. First he claimed, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” (Matthew 26:33) Then after Jesus is arrested he "followed at a distance" and betrayed Jesus 3 times.  He witnessed Jesus alive after his crucifixion , yet, where does he go, back to Galilee, back to his old occupation -- fishing. Peter probably thought that his life as a disciple was over. T...

’ll believe it when I see it. That’s  something you say when you’re told something rather outrageous,  unbelievable or from someone who’s not exactly trustworthy. Which is what Doubting Thomas said as recorded in the Gospel of John.  If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven, this is what you have to do… Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.&nb...

It’s hot news. It’s the talk of the town. Everybody’s buzzing about it. Wow! Jesus was dead and his body was gone! So, this “stranger” comes up to you and your friend and asks you what  all the excitement about? You wonder, “Where’s this person been? Under a  rock? How can he not know what happened?” Today we read from the Gospel of Luke.  If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-s...

As we continue our series, "After the Resurrection", we read the Gospel According to Mark where Jesus tells us the truth about salvation.  If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven, this is what you have to do… Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.  Pray this prayer humbly and wholeheartedly… “Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You die...

In this series, I follow Jesus' disciples during the hours and days  right after Jesus’ Resurrection as told in each of the four Gospels and  the Book of Acts (The Acts of the Apostles). First we have The Great Commission from the Gospel of Matthew. What is the Great Commission? What does the Great Commission mean for us?  Follow along on my blog.... If you want the assurance of a 1...

Holy Week starts in Triumph and Finishes in Triumph. From Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem to His victory over sin and death. Here is the full playlist of all the Holy Week podcasts telling the story of Jesus' last week on earth as a human.  If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven, this is what you have to do… Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit....

It's Resurrection Day! This is the greatest day! What happened on that Sunday morning is the cornerstone of Christian belief. If it weren’t for Christ’s  Resurrection, nothing He said would have meant anything. He would have  been just like any other human being, any other prophet, any other  teacher. Follow along in my Blog... If you want the assurance of a 1-way, non-stop ticket t...

Holy Saturday -- the day between Good Friday and Resurrection Day. Not  much is said in the Gospels about what the disciples were going through,  but we can imagine it. I heard Max Lucado call this day "Silent  Saturday". What were the they all going thinking?  Follow along with my blog & find the links to past podcasts on bible prophecies from the Old Testament.  You...

As we continue our walk through Holy Week, we come upon some interesting  religious traditions. Since Jesus was crucified on a Friday, the Jewish  Sabbath was quickly approaching. What happened in the temple? Who  buried Jesus? Follow along on my blog... Soli Deo Gloria -- to God Alone be the Glory!