Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, answers this question in his letter to the faithful saints who are in Ephesus. Speaking to the faithful saints, he says, “… we are [God's] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

It’s very important that we distinguish why we are doing these good works. We are neither earning salvation nor meriting grace. Rather, we are living out our new natures. We are walking on the strainght and narrow path that is now mapped out for us by the Holy Spirit. Since we are God’s children, now alive in Him, we are to bring Him glory by doing His good works and giving Him the glory for them. 

Knowing this, let’s be on the lookout for opportunities to do God’s good works that point His lost sheep to Him.

JackNathan and I met together Monday morning to begin our study of the minor prophets. We began at the beginning with the book of Hosea. Just a few thoughts we had:

• Israel didn’t just commit adultery against the LORD, they committed malicious treason. 
• Israel deserved abandonment and annihilation from the LORD.
• We don’t deserve mercy and we don’t deserve to be God’s people.
• God was not happy with Israel. He didn’t overlook their sins.
• Israel used the gifts from the LORD to make herself more appealing to her lovers that she whored after.
• The modern Church is not all that different than the Israel Hosea prophesied to.
• Do you use the gifts you have received from God to commit sin against Him?

If you’re in Anderson and want to study with us on Monday mornings at 6:30, please let us know. We usually meet at the Corner Bagel Shop.

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Yesterday I was discussing new-years-resolutions with a co-worker. He asked me what mine was. I told him that I didn’t make new-years-resolution because I never kept them and they weren’t meaningful to me.

However, as I was showering this morning (the place where most meaningful though comes from) I thought of a resolution that might actually be meaningful and I would challenge you to take it on as well. It is certainly not a new concept and I don’t take credit for it, but here it is:

Be one man (or one woman, as the case may be).

That is my resolution. But what does it mean?

Think about it. How many faces do you wear? Do you act differently at work, school, church, around your parents, in-laws, spouse, or children? Is it more acceptable to you in some circles to be crude and profane while in other circles you would never dream of exhibiting such behavior?

Who am I? Who are you? Is it the face we show each other or do we just see each other’s masks?

My resolution is to wear the mask with the highest standard. Right now, for better or worse, that means always acting like my son is in the room with me. I try to set a good example for him, so if I am always “setting an example” for my son, then I should always, in theory, be on my best behavior.

Admittedly, this is not a perfect formula… I sometimes lose my cool with my son and set a terrible example. But at least it’s a goal.

What do you think?

I recently listened to Bill Hyer’s first sermon at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Brandon, Mississippi from November 8th. He shared his testimony with the congregation. If you would like to listen to the sermon yourself, you can do so by following this link:

http://bit.ly/4mLl02

Bill shared three concluding points at the end of his testimony. Here they are as I recorded them:

1. It is in the darkest days of our lives that God is working in the greatest way.
2. Reflect on the power of God for salvation. There was nobody that I (Bill) know of that was praying on my behalf, but Jesus was interceding for me.
3. God is in the business of saving people. He wants us who are saved to be in that business with him.

Amen? Amen.

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
Romans 5:18 

No, we have not been married ten years. In fact, we are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary next month on December 11th. Today is special because ten years ago today I asked Amanda, in the most awkward manner possible, if she would be my girlfriend. You can ask her for the awkward details if you like – she loves recounting the tale. Amanda graciously agreed to my request, and here we are ten years later in our fifth year of marriage with an awesome one-year-old son and a daughter on the way. 

Praise God for His faithfulness in our relationship! I am so thankful to God for pairing me with Amanda Faith Tollison Nelson.

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:17

Is it a matter of the heart? Is it a matter of the words we speak in public or private? 

In the United States, does it apply to the President? The Congress? The Supreme Court? The Constitution?

I’m just glad it’s not tax season.

He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

Luke 16:1-8

I was having lunch today with one of my co-workers and a boss. While we were enjoying our delicious hotdogs from Skins Hot Dogs, my boss asked us what our thoughts were on the parable of the dishonest manager from Luke 16. He was perplexed by some of the aspects of the parable. Firstly, it appears that the dishonest manager is continuting to be dishonest in what the parable is calling shrewdness. Secondly, the rich man doesn’t get angry with the manager for settling his accounts for less then they were worth, but he instead commends the manager.

What’s going on here?