Paul has an interesting metaphor which resonates with so much across scripture: that of pruning and grafting branches onto an olive tree. He uses this to describe the pruning of branches which have rejected the Gospel of Christ and the grafting-in of people who were previously seen as living outside of God's chosen people. As we exegete this passage, we can learn a lot about what it means for us to be grafting into this life and how this makes us heirs of the same promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Likewise, it also offers us a heart-shaking message about the power of God to re-graft any branch back into the tree if it believes.

Christ's way of communicating to His people in a way they understand is truly amazing. His parables give us the keys to so many truths of His nature, including Faith and Perseverance. Through Faith and Perseverance we are driven to dive deeper into our understanding of the God who saves. This is why Bible study becomes so important: not only do we get the immediate benefit of learning something new, but it also stresses our ability to hold the faith and persevere by challenging what we THINK we may know about our truly infinite God.

In what do you base your faith? Christ, right? But what does that mean? So many churches use the correct rhetoric, but then their actions seem to paint a picture of esteemed institutions that pride themselves on healthy budgets and robust program offerings. What really makes a church? Christ gives us some very clear answers to this critical question.

Many of your calendars will note that Christmas is long-gone, but the church "Christmas holiday" doesn't end until 12 days after December 25th... today. With this one last remembrance of Christmas, we should look at the newness brought to earth during the events of Christmas and how that spurns us towards total rejuvenation!

During a season we have dedicate to the Joy of all Creation, let us take a moment to simply dwell in His presence.

Mary certainly knew some things about the baby she was about to have, but she didn't know everything. It's almost unthinkable for many of us to go along with a plan that hasn't been explained to us, so how could Mary be so trusting? She reveals a part of that answer in her own prayer of thanksgiving in Luke 1.

God reveals Himself to the main players in the Nativity story through angels. When we look at how God communicated to these individuals, what can we learn about the nature of God revealing Himself? When we think to ourselves "God is being silent", is it possible that God IS revealing Himself, but in ways we do not expect (or desire)?

So many of us are filled with ideas that the "reason for the season" is a baby in a manger; it's not. The significance of Jesus at Christmas isn't that he was born, but that He came at all. The Messiah had been long awaited for millennia since the fall of Eden. Prophets spoke for centuries prior about the coming of our Savior, God with us, who would show us God's compassion and power. The coming of this Messiah is the REAL meaning for the season. The question for us is "are you listening for the reason?" Are we prepared to hear the truth God has for us or are we too busy reading our own meaning into cultural holidays? If we're receptive to what God is showing us, we're destined to be blown away by the sheer Joy of knowing a God bigger than ourselves.

We all know the greatest commandments: love God and love people. Sometimes what we don't really appreciate is that the first of these is "love God". Loving God MUST be the first and foremost important part of our faith. Otherwise, the entire theology of what it means to serve a truly divine God wastes away. Recognizing the dominion of God above all else is to firm foundation God desires, and we need.

A lot of Christians get very worked-up about the optics of their ministry. They want to ensure they're helping the right people, showing up at the right events, and putting the correct polish on their ceremonies. Sometimes, in an attempt to stand up for what is seen as "righteous", they lose an element of genuineness that can be beautiful in its raw form. When we look at individuals who allowed themselves to be "outed" in a raw manner before Christ, we find God blessing them far more than those who sought to observe the correct protocols or optics. The question for you is... when is the last time you were truly "raw" with your faith?