Jesus and Satan were not strangers when they met before Jesus began His earthly ministry. They had known each other since before the world began. Each understood the other’s intentions and that it would be defeat for them if the other one could gain his goal. Satan offered Jesus sovereignty over all the nations and … Continue reading Jesus and Satan
Jesus
A life-giving faith
We Christians have a lot to say about heaven and how we long to be there. Is anticipation enough to get us there? If we are not experiencing joy in the journey, will we make it? Many Christians are experiencing a joyous and happy life, filled with joy far more abundant than they ever knew … Continue reading A life-giving faith
Things to do to maintain a peaceful heart in a time of trouble
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 Jesus is the source of our peace. Speak with Him often, Listen to what He says, Read the Word of God, … Continue reading Things to do to maintain a peaceful heart in a time of trouble
A Christ-centred faith
The Anabaptist/Mennonite faith is Christ-centred in a way that differs significantly from other Christian traditions. We believe in the virgin birth, the sacrificial death on the cross, the resurrection and the second coming of Christ. But what is most important to us is the life of Jesus between his birth and the cross. There are … Continue reading A Christ-centred faith
Feeling like a victim?
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take … Continue reading Feeling like a victim?
Basic nonresistance
Matthew 5:39 — But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. If I cannot forgive the person who hurts my feelings, can I honestly claim exemption from military service because I am nonresistant?
Qualifications of a minister of the gospel
Many words are used in the New Testament to describe spiritual leaders in the church. Bishop, or overseer (episkipos); elder (presbuteros); pastor; minister (diakonos); evangelist; prophet; teacher; apostle (one sent out). All of these, except perhaps the last, are used interchangeably and appear to be but different functions or gifts of the same office. An … Continue reading Qualifications of a minister of the gospel
A matter of the heart, not the head
As I walked the dusty streets of Plimoth, Massachusetts, Samuel Fuller fell into step beside me. “The church hierarchy in England says that we are not a legitimate church, because we have no ministers. A church is made up of Christian people; they don’t even have a church. Who made them ministers and bishops?” On … Continue reading A matter of the heart, not the head
The return of the light
The Israelites had light when the Egyptians were in darkness. The light went with them to show the way when the waters stood aside to let them cross the Red Sea. The light stayed with them for forty years through the wilderness, then led them through the Jordan into the promised land, while the waters … Continue reading The return of the light
Why Mary?
The story is hardly credible to our modern minds. A fifteen-year-old girl informs her parents—I am assuming her parents were still living, though there is no mention of them—that an angel has visited her and now she is pregnant with the long-awaited Messiah. We don’t expect the birth of Messiah, and few people know the … Continue reading Why Mary?
Flatlander Faith 