Tag Archives: hope

Going Home

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Don Merritt

In the weeks and months ahead, I expect to be going home after 2 years of being in another place, another town, another state. As I think about going home, images run through my mind, little pictures of things, scenes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged Bible study, Christian, church, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, life, love, photos | 16 Comments

Epilogue to our Discussion about Church

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Don Merritt

Thoughts for the Christian blogger So often I’ve been amazed at what I see here in the Christian blogging community. In some cases, I’ve read a blogger’s posts over time and seen tremendous growth; in others I’ve noticed several bloggers … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged Bible, Christian, church, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love | 30 Comments

“My” Relationship… “Our” Relationship

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Don Merritt

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5 Each … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Christian, church, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love | 21 Comments

Church as Relationship

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Don Merritt

Church began with relationship, the relationship between Jesus and His disciples. Each of the disciples knew Jesus in fact they knew Him pretty well, at least in human terms. They spent three years together travelling, eating, talking, laughing, crying and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged attitude, Bible, Christian, church, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love | 10 Comments

The Body of Christ and How we “Do Church”

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Don Merritt

Is church a list of programs, or a set of traditions, ceremonies and pageantry? Does it really matter what style of music you have, or whether or not the preacher (by whatever name) wears robes, a suit or jeans? Is … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged attitude, Bible, Christian, church, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love | 19 Comments

Church as an Institution

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Don Merritt

Since I am in one of those periods in between series of posts, there is something I’ve been thinking about writing, that doesn’t exactly fit neatly into a study of a particular book of the Bible, yet they all seem … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged attitude, Christian, church, discipleship, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love | 18 Comments

Romans: A Summation

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Don Merritt

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, Romans | 10 Comments

Paul’s View of his Ministry

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Don Merritt

Romans 15:14-22 At this point, Paul shifts entirely the focus of his message; what has been persuasive in nature now becomes more of a personal reflection. I hope you have read these verses, because we can glean a great insight … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, Romans | 2 Comments

Living in Unity and Hope

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Don Merritt

The third and final supporting point in this section is found in 15:1-13 and shows us that we are intended to live in unity and hope. Paul has broken this passage into three sections: First, he shows us that selfless … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Bible study, Christian, discipleship, encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life, love, Romans | Leave a comment

Christian Liberty

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Don Merritt

After his discussion of judging others in verses 1-12, Paul moves onto Christian Liberty and the responsibilities that come with it. He divides this discussion into four points: First, we should be willing to sacrifice some of our liberty for … Continue reading →