Three Minute Thoughts

A new book brings new information about the God we already know. Want to know what God is like? Look to Jesus he's the only way we see him.

When we focus on the good in life the bad things will slowly fade to the background. That's why Paul reminds us to replace worry and anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving.

Paul reminds us that not everyone who says they're for us really are for us. Then reminds us that we'll never hit the goal if we look backward to the problems of our past.

There are many people we can choose as role models in life but the best of them is by far Jesus. Watch how Jesus handled struggle and challenge. Then imitate that.

Paul says some powerful words in this chapter. Among those powerful words are the idea that dead or alive Christ is key.

The focus of the relationships Paul lists isn't about the people in those relationships, but about Jesus who makes those relationships possible.

Paul gives some clear directions for men and women of God, but when not heard properly they can be a bit disheartening.

Paul reminds us that we are one in Christ. So why divide what Christ has united?

The mystery will soon be revealed. What could it be? I'll give you a hint. It's about Jesus, Israel and the world.

Paul describes the power of the gospel. The message of the gospel is the truth of Jesus' death and resurrection. But what good did it do? Why did it happen? What difference did it make?

Paul writes this letter to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus. They are strong in their belief but Paul still wants to encourage them and warn them of things going on in the world.

Paul wraps up this letter to the followers of Jesus at Rome with an encouragement to stay unified on the things of Christ and distance themselves from those who seek to divide for personal gain.

Paul here reminds us that our proper focus in life is to put Jesus at the center. He should be our primary focus. Then we look to the needs of others. Finally, we pursue our own ambitions and happiness. Jesus, Others, Yourself it's pretty easy when our heart is in the right place.

We love to divide over things that really are not worth dividing over don't we? I mean what we eat, what we wear, where we go, what car we drive. We let these things cause division and animosity between friends. There's a better alternative and Paul explains it here.

Paul clearly says that we're to obey those in authority over us. That means that government officials are to be obeyed. But what happens when the government goes a little off the rails? What happens to betraying conscience? Paul is very clear in what he says. Yet even more clear in what he does elsewhere.

When we realize that worship isn't just about an hour on Sunday but a life between the weekends our whole outlook changes.

When we don't understand Jesus we don't get any of what the Bible really is all about.

We are not made right by our actions but by God's actions for us.

There's a huge misunderstanding in the Bible over who's in and who's not in. It's a misunderstanding about what it means to be part of Israel. Is it a nation or a people group or both?

The law is meant to show us where we are to go and where we have gone wrong. But the law can't do some things. So don't make the law something it's not meant to be.

The law is a hard thing for some. Maybe it's because we like to play too closely to the boundaries? Maybe it's because we don't understand it's purpose? Whatever the reason this chapter is all about seeing the law for the right reasons.

Baptism is one of those hot button topics. Some think it has to be only for adults while others believe baptism is for babies too. The issue is what baptism does and who the primary "doer" in baptism is.

When we have faith it not only impacts our eternity but also our lives today. Paul explains exactly how that happens in this chapter.

Some times we need to see a real life example in order for us to really understand what's going on. Here Paul gives one.

Paul will wrestle with the topic of the value of following God if we're saved by grace. The idea of faith is expounded in this chapter as well.