Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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We have all seen video clips or television clips that post a note that says “Wait to see it.” Maybe this column should start, “Read to the end!” Paul is the lead teacher here in Colossians 3, telling us how to clothe ourselves daily. “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear wi...
What better time are you waiting for to examine all forms of teaching and learning with thoughtful consideration? Are you waiting for World War III? Foolish people of all stripes seem to toss off the idea like it is as usual as eating cornflakes for breakfast! You could not find a better spot to start than studying Colossians. It is right there in the back of your Bible! To counter false teachings, Paul provides ample ammunition. Dancing with moral relativism has weakened Americans' ability to think. Colossians is armor against falseness. From...
Have you noticed that now even common Google searches bring up an AI option? My friends also know that I appreciate Facebook. Recently, I saw a reel that arrested me and made me feel the need to warn you. A popular modern-day “prophet” claims to reveal another of many secrets he has uncovered in the Bible, something hidden from everyone, regarding Iran and the recently deceased Ayatollah. He claims to link modern Iran and Operation Epic Fury directly to the Jewish holiday of Purim and Esther, Mordechai, and Haman. This method of applying the...
While we are focused on Paul’s letter to the Colossians, it is good to recall that Peter, James, John, and other apostles were also “setting their face like flint” on Jesus the Christ. Paul’s conversion continues this passion, and to the Colossians he issues a firm warning. False teachings have always been the Achilles heel for the church, and this is precisely why Paul wrote the letter to the church in Colossae. We heed the call. “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created:...
The Church, as recorded in the Bible, then as now faced counterfeit messages. Colossae, pronounced [call’-aw see], is our next focus from Paul’s imprisonment, and I am using the word counterfeit because Paul warns of severe deception he’s learned about, that this small community was facing. The richness of cultures that lived side by side in this fertile land fostered great learning. Call it an earlier Melting Pot. The mysticism faced by the ‘baby’ Christians lured them toward hot water. Jewish legalism was also mixed with Greek and other anc...
Wise men and women over the ages have observed that disagreements knock on our door when we least expect them. We, within “church circles,” encounter the same. The good news is that the Bible doesn’t leave us empty-handed. When conflicts arise to the surface, we are given principles to address such matters. In contrast to the temptation to follow the easy way, Paul depicts the Christian life as a journey and even as a course to run as the project of a life united with Christ. “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long fo...
Exemplary leadership is a characteristic that we often look for in others, although, as humans, we all have flaws or even sinful tendencies. Who is someone you admire? Christianity is no different; we are imperfect people. But Christ forgives the truly repentant. It is impossible to live sinlessly on this side of heaven, but the good news is that we can set our standards higher. It is interesting that Paul in Philippians wrote about “modeling” Christlike behavior. “All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if at so...
We are considering the epistle Paul to the Philippians, where Paul testifies personally how Jesus is more than your most treasured possession. He continues with a fellowship of joy. In many of his letters to churches, he expressed this intense desire to see the return of Jesus and described it as a great hope; however, Christ’s Second Coming did not occur in Paul’s lifetime. Consider all the pressures he faced alongside the believers in the ancient, ancient city of Philippi—incredible persecution and suffering. Through everything, Paul press...
Paul’s letter to the Philippians is called “the letter of joy” because its tone reveals a tenderness in Paul that other writings do not. Again, it clarifies that being imprisoned for preaching Jesus as Lord and Savior makes this a favorite epistle, and thus moves me to write and preach on this theme. Recently, in Butte, my youngest daughter took me treasure hunting in one of their thrift stores, which I endured because of my sheer joy of being with her. I appreciate time better, I think, when I “drift my time a little,” stopping to smell the...
Submitting to God and following His purposes daily is the primary goal of a Christian. There are days when doing so is not easy, and this is the message that Paul conveys in Philippians, chapters one and two. Here, we find the conjunction “therefore.” Our Bible College interpretation professor always said, “When you see a therefore in Scripture, be sure to see what it is there for.” Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation wit...
Persecution and suffering have shaped Christianity throughout history, beginning in the first century with figures like Paul and the many members of the early church. Today, we can look back at this rich heritage and admire their steadfastness, yet draw strength and live by the same unity in Christ. “Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, b...
At fifty-three, it pains me to admit that my eyesight has failed over the last few years. I am due for another adjustment to my trifocals! As a kid, I recall seeing my grandmother doing the newspaper crossword with a magnifying glass. I could not imagine then growing old myself. Today, I see a different layer. If you are anything like me, you first try to read small print without your glasses. For many of us, it is a reminder, isn’t it? In ancient times, the Romans used water-filled globes (as described by Seneca) to magnify objects. It was not...
With constant national news that disturbs us, sometimes our local news cheers us up. My point today is that we should take suffering as part of life. The degree of suffering, of course, varies for individuals. However, the longer we live, the more obstacles we encounter. The key to managing those challenges often comes back to our attitude and overall outlook. I find Paul to be one of the bright examples of how to handle suffering. He found joy, comfort, and even peace through Jesus Christ, and he conveys this message well in writing to...
Satan targets Christians. There is no simpler conclusion to understanding the Book of Ephesians. Paul now pulls out the power of his oratory, his clarity, and his love for humanity. Distraction from Christ and His mission requires our vigilance in praying with the Bible and being equipped with God’s provided armor. It is essential to consider the broader context, as Paul emphasizes that Christians submit to one another, bringing honor to Jesus and to each other. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of...
Winters in Montana can be brutal, and while the weather in the Whitehall Valley has been unseasonably warm lately, I know that when the temperature drops into the single digits or below, I will not go outside without being properly dressed. The chilly wind cuts like a knife to the marrow. For the Christian, being prepared is not an option but a necessity. Spiritual disciplines help us win the day, as found in Ephesians 6 and The Armor of God. The first piece mentioned is the “belt of truth.” For the soldier, this item was a core element bec...
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, chapter six, is well known for its “Armor of God” teachings. Paul uses strong metaphors to draw comparisons to spiritual disciplines we Christians can utilize to stand firm against deception and temptation. Humans tend to focus on physical strength and agility, so Paul’s metaphor is typically illustrated by large, muscular soldiers. For a second, Google “The Armor of God,” and you will see what I am getting at. I would contend that spiritual discipline and Godly attributes have little to do with physical mu...
Confusion and misunderstanding flourish in today’s America. A pet peeve I wrestle with is when people throw around words that don't fit the context of Scripture. Here are two humorous examples of how poor translation caused issues for companies. KFC’s “Finger-Lickin’ Good” in China came out as “Eat your fingers off.” Mercedes-Benz, a prominent high-end automaker, launched in China, and it was rough. “Benz” in China was translated as “Bensi,” which for them meant “Rush to die.” One of the most misunderstood topics of the Bible is found in Ephesi...
Paul, in writing to the Ephesian Christians, took every risk in making a personal appeal. His goal was to provide balanced teaching for relationships, including marriage, family, and work. The overall premise in the New Testament, as first taught by Jesus, is a posture of submitting to or yielding to others, seeking the good of another. By every standard, Paul challenged society's norms across every generation. Obedience is a keyword in Ephesians 6:1-4, as it pertains to the family. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is r...
Tendencies to overly focus on key words in the Bible without understanding the culture or context are flat-out dangerous. “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as you do to the Lord,” from the book we are studying, Ephesians 5:22, is my case in point, and I suspect it is as controversial as ever. In this weekly reminder, I’ll tackle the context for the word “submission,” since it seems central to the problem. Paul, the author, was writing to Romans, Greeks, and Jews who came to follow Christ in Ephesus, where men had significant power ove...
Whole passages within the Bible demonstrate greater insights into diverse cultures than do others. The provincial capital of Ephesus brings about such clarity in Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Paul’s teaching to this metro community did not sugarcoat Christ’s message. In the First century, Ephesus was widely known for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Sounds amazing. Well, think again, because this temple, dedicated to the Roman goddess Diana, was a place for sacred prostitution and dark practices. This “wonder” was...
As light overcomes darkness, truth overcomes evil. In the middle of the fourth chapter of Ephesians, Paul addressed Gentile Christians as well as Jews. His goal was to encourage them in their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. The Jewish people believed deeply in the Ten Commandments given to them through Moses; however, Gentiles (non-Jewish) people in Ephesus had literally no Scriptural background. Paul helped unite Jews and Gentiles. “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futili...
For over 2000 years now, God’s grace in Jesus Christ has pointed all of Christianity —well, almost all of Christianity —toward grace, and it has been interactive, even throughout the United States’ history. That theme is “communicate well with each other.” Paul focuses on this often. For the Christian, “grace manners” are for each of us, either in public or private. We try hard to be the same person every day and hour of the week. If God’s grace has saved us and kept us, then throughout our lives, transformation is a continuous proces...
Throughout the New Testament, we see the connection of individual faith in Jesus and the Bible as our source for truth and life. This is what sets Christianity apart from other world religions—the personal connection. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, entered the world as a child, lived sinlessly, and gave His life for each one of us! Our job is to grow in gratitude and love: it is personal! Paul shares a very personal prayer in Ephesians chapter three that I see as needed in our broken world. We, too, rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and n...
What do Jim Rockford, Colombo, Inspector Gadget, Inspector Clouseau, Nancy Drew, and Sherlock Holmes have in common? They all remind us that solving mysteries is fun. And while the Bible also captures our attention, authors, TV and cable personalities, and Internet personalities “unlock” secret mysteries —sometimes in a fun way —my approach is as sober as can be. The sacred word of God offers salvation like no other. The Bible is actually clear and consistent. When specific Bible texts are a little vague, we need not read between the lines;...
Dear Editor, With the upcoming election for Whitehall mayor, I would like to encourage residents to get involved in local government. I appreciate both Linda Jung and Kathleen Fike answering various questions in a recent edition of the Whitehall Ledger. Why is involvement vital for Whitehall? First, getting involved in various forms of local government by inquiring about a wide range of committees. Many people are not aware that the three wards can have multiple town council representatives, and...
