1798 results for tag: Greg Albrecht
Christianity — What’s In It For Me?
The greatest concern on the typical North American mind is "What's in it for me?" Why should we be Christians? Jesus' disciples wanted to know the answer to that very same question. Jesus' answer is still relevant for us today.
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
September 10, 2023 - Quote for the Day:
“I’m reminded of the story of two brothers – both of whom were rich, but they were rich because they were lying, corrupting, cheating businessmen. They made sure to attend the right church in town – the one that all the bankers and town leaders attended. Their pastor, however, could see right through the brothers’ deceptive ways.
One day one of the brothers died. The other brother went to see the pastor about the funeral. He said, ‘Pastor, I know you don’t think much of my brother – or me for that matter. Here’s what I am going to do. I will write ...
Listening To God – Greg Albrecht
Many believe God makes himself known primarily through catastrophic events—like hurricanes and earthquakes and floods. During such times, the “accepted wisdom” is that God is expressing his displeasure with someone or some group of people.
God, some say, is actively sending a message when the land is dry and parched by drought or when fires rage, destroying homes, crops, animal and human life.
Does God communicate in what insurance companies call “acts of God”? If he does, are “acts of God” the only way he has of communicating (presumably only his displeasure)? Are there other ways God “speaks” to us?
Some would say (I ...
What Is the Kingdom of God?
Jesus preached about the kingdom of God continuously, but what is it? Is it solely a future time or is the kingdom already here and we've not discovered it.
Does God Forgive and Forget? Q&R with Greg Albrecht
Q: While attending a Bible study one night in a church I used to attend the pastor stated, "when we ask forgiveness of God, he does forgive us but he never really does forget." He was "clarifying" Hebrews 10:17. The pastor said, "After all, he is God, he knows everything, it would be impossible for him to forget." I find myself angry at this minister even today and I haven't seen him in years. I believe God does forget—however in the back of my mind this minister's comments still haunt me. Please, tell me, does God forget or not?
A: I think I know what the minister may have meant. Part of what he may have been trying to say might be true, ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
September 7, 2023 - Quote for the Day:
“For most people, God is confined to heaven – sitting on his throne, with angels constantly coming up giving him reports. Some people picture God as leaning over, peering down at this earth, and at them in particular, and just shaking his head in disappointment. Their God is a disappointed God – a God who is distant, removed and ashamed of them and their conduct. Their God is too small.”
Originally published in:
Spiritual Soup for the Hungry Soul, Volume 1
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Changing Course
The ship of our life is much like the Titanic -- we're heading for an iceberg -- metaphorically the end of our lives. But there is an out -- the good news is that Jesus offers us eternal life. Wouldn't it make sense to change course?
To Watch or To Worship
Many Christians are far more comfortable detached and observing; "watching" rather than "worshiping." How do you respond to our Lord and Savior? Are you a "watcher" or a "worshiper"?
A Son or a Hired Hand? by Greg Albrecht
The Prodigal Son story told by Jesus in Luke 15:14-20 begins with a young man presumptuously asking his father for his inheritance ahead of time. He left home and went to a far country, where in his lavish and wasteful spending (hence the term prodigal) he soon saw that inheritance go up in smoke.
His resources had seemingly caused others to like him. Now his resources and his “friends” were gone. Out of money and out of food, he found himself working in a pigpen.
He came to his senses and went home, thinking the best he could expect was a job on his father’s farm—but to his astonishment (after all, the grace of God is amazing ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
September 5, 2023 - Quote for the Day:
“How do we know that all those who seem to have died without Christ have done so? Perhaps some of many of them have – but simply because a representative from our denomination did not reach some people group in Africa, India or China does not mean these people are doomed. This topic has been, and is being, used as a leverage and motivation for Christians to support missionaries. Of course we should tell others about the kingdom of God. But nowhere in the Bible does God tell us that the salvation of others hinges on our efforts. This is not to minimize our efforts, it’s ...
Like Little Children
Jesus tells us that we need to become like little children to inherit the kingdom of God. The Bible also tells us about a time of peace when a little child will lead ferocious animals. What characteristics of little children can we learn from them?
The Message of Revelation
The anticipation of Jesus’ second coming and "the end times" have occupied Christian concerns for millennia. Many have looked to the biblical book of Revelation for clues to the events surrounding Jesus' return. What is the book of Revelation about? Do you know?
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0016.mp3
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
September 3, 2023 - Quote for the Day:
“The refining fire of God’s love is all about burning out religious impurities which adulterate God’s amazing grace. God’s love and grace is ‘tough’ for humans because we are hard wired to perform and work and earn and achieve – and religion uses this innate sense of hard work in such a way that it places its followers in absolute opposition to God’s grace.
The transforming, spiritual purification which a Christian experiences, in and through Christ, is neither a Spartan series of legalistic hoops one must jump through nor is it an academic examination of biblical knowledge that ...
Living Grace or a Culture of Ugliness – Greg Albrecht
At the Golden Globe awards in Los Angeles on January 5, 2020, Charlize Theron introduced Tom Hanks, who was being honored as the annual recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. Her introduction called attention to the kind and gracious mannerisms of Tom Hanks, a person who has existed for many years within the rarified air of A list Hollywood celebrities.
Theron recalled a time when she, a young actress, was auditioning for Hanks and others for the 1996 movie, “That Thing You Do.” She remembered how nervous she was and how Hanks responded. He interrupted her and apologized because, he said, he needed a five-minute break.
I...
Jesus Took Our Place
Barabbas was a condemned criminal and would have died on the cross except that Jesus took his place. Jesus substituted for Barabbas and he substituted for you and for me.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0015.mp3
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
August 31, 2023 - Quote for the Day:
“Temporal churches – with their constitutions, by-laws, organization, decrees, creeds, doctrines, rules, rituals and ceremonies – can fail to encourage individual intimacy with Jesus Christ in favor of their own survival, their own preservation and their own growth.
A brick-and-mortar church that may begin with a few Christ-followers, based solely in and on him, can soon be overcome with standardized religious practices and beliefs, with structure and bureaucracy. What starts as a matter of following Christ can turn into a religious machine, which becomes an end in itself – a self-perpet...
Jesus Will Return
Jesus Christ will return to this earth. That’s for sure! With that conviction many Christians become very concerned about when Jesus will return, but how important is it to know that? Just what is the significance of Jesus' return? Don't miss today's program.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0013.mp3
The Problem is Us
The London Times once invited readers to respond to the question: “What is wrong with the world?” Readers answered with a wide range of opinion — but the most truthful answer came from a wise man who responded — “I am.” He understood where the real problem lies.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0012.mp3
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
August 29, 2023 - Quote for the Day:
“Hypocrisy is so easy to see and identify in others, isn’t it? Mark Twain once said, ‘Nothing needs to be reformed as much as other people’s habits.’ And when other people’s habits are hypocritical, when they are two-faced, then we are often outraged. Hypocrisy is often called ‘not practicing what you preach.’
The hypocrisy that Jesus condemns is rank hypocrisy – living in an arrogant, high-handed manner, expecting perfection of others while being virtually impervious to your own imperfections and flaws. Humility is, in many ways, the polar opposite of the attitude projec...
God Is!
One of the most perplexing questions modern men and women debate is "Does God Exist?". Yes He does. God is! He always was, always will be, and and he is very much real and present now.. Join us as we discuss this important subject.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0010.mp3
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