road2answers

Luke 1:46-55 With the celebration of Christmas, we remember events that took place over 2,000 years ago. For us in the northern hemisphere, this celebration comes at the coldest time of year, when the days are at their shortest and the nights are at their longest. This gives a fitting picture of the world at the time. Spiritual darkness covered the globe. Darkness had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 9:2, it says: The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (Isaiah 9:2 NLT) Into the darkness that covered the globe, God sent a light. This light is a light to the nations, salvation for the whole world. Isaiah 49:6 says of Him: You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6 NLT) The nation of Israel has not yet been restored to God. However, He is a l

Romans 14:13-23 Three rules to live by does not mean that we are adding laws. Rather, in Romans 14:13-23, Paul is trying to help us understand how we should live as brothers and sisters in the family of God. In Romans 12:1-2, he told us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, and from that point, he has been explaining how to live as living sacrifices. He discusses the Christian’s relationship to government, our unbelieving neighbors and our fellow believers. Romans 14:13-23 is a continuation of his discourse on how we are to relate to our fellow believers. Verses 1-12 explain that we each answer to God. They conclude this thought and transitions by saying: Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. ( Romans 14:13 ESV ) Paul is concluding his discourse or thoughts on judging by saying “therefore.” He has made his point that we should not judge one another. E

Romans 14:1-12 Certainly , we must be better than other churches. We teach the Bible. We are free to eat bacon. We can mow our lawns on Sunday. We go to movies, have televisions and have musical instruments in our worship services. I am picking on a narrow range of topics. Some churches teach that a Christian should not eat certain foods. I like bacon, so I chose bacon as a representative food. Some churches teach that a Christian should not work Sunday, so I chose mowing the lawn as a representative activity. All Christian churches should teach the Bible. This is taught in both the Old and New Testaments. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says: And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ( Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV ) And, 2 Timothy 3:16 says: All Scripture is breathed out by God

Romans 13:8-14 We tend to use words like “ought” and “should” and “need” loosely. I ought to call mom, or I ought to go to town, and any number of such statements leave our lips without much thought. While we use the word “ought” frequently, we are not obligated to do as much as we use the word. How often do you stop yourself and ask, “Why ought I to do this?” For example, with Thanksgiving coming up, we might hear the words “we ought to cook a turkey.” Really? Are we somehow obligated to cook a turkey because it is Thanksgiving? This “ought” becomes more troublesome when it is “we ought to go to mom’s house because it is Thanksgiving.” We are more likely to have a sense of duty when it comes to the choice of where to go on a holiday. We feel obligated for various reasons when it comes to family ties and relationships. Obligations also come with our relationships within the Church body. We feel obligated to be good Christians. Our neighbors will have expectations