69 results for tag: faith
Righteousness by Law or By Faith – by Greg Albrecht
There's an old story about a young man who asked his rich grandfather, "Grandpa, how did you get so rich?" "Well," said grandpa, "during the Great Depression my family had no money whatsoever. I found two pennies in my old piggy bank, and I bought an apple with those two pennies. I shined that apple up, took it out on the street where people were hungry, and sold it for five cents. Then I took that nickel and bought two more apples for two cents each. I shined them all up, took them back out on the street, and sold them for five cents each."The grandfather paused, and then continued, "That was my first real job. I did real well selling apples during ...
Doubt, Faith and Hope – by Greg Albrecht
According to an old story, years ago there was a severe drought in the farm country of Texas. The people were in despair, so they asked the pastor of their little church to pray for rain. The pastor decided to have a town-wide meeting and invite everyone – even people who were not members of his church – to come and pray for rain.
On the day of the prayer service the little church building was packed to the rafters with desperate people. The pastor climbed into the pulpit and looked out on the assembly.
He asked, “Why are we all here today?”
A woman cried out, “We’ve come to pray for rain.” Another person said, ...
“We Have An Incident” by Ken Williams
I stopped worrying about my weak faith during a flight from Southern California to Cleveland, Ohio. Jesus reminded me that though I’m weak I now live by his faith, the faith of Jesus Christ who loves us and gave himself for us. Jesus gave me this assurance after our captain announced, “We have an incident!”
Four hours earlier, I joined 150 fellow passengers and crew members boarding the Boeing 727. It was spring 2004 and I carried a recently published copy of Richard Nolte’s book Nominal Christianity. I didn’t like the word “nominal” but was curious. My row partners and I found and settled in our seats. The man next to the window ...
March 2024
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(PDF Format)
Articles:
New Birth Through the Resurrection – pg. 1
What's in an Anniversary? – pg. 2
Prophecy Pays: The Gospel Frees – pg. 5
Inside and Out – pg. 6
Sidewalk Wrinkles – pg. 7
Quotes & Connections – pg. 8
Struggle Between Faith and Feelings
Does God get mad at us when we become frustrated with him in difficult times? One of the most perplexing questions people have about God is “Where is God when it hurts?” Or, put another way, “How can God, who is good, let bad stuff happen?”
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0061.mp3
Fear or Faith
In the midst of the storms we face in our lives we often ask, "Where is God?" And just like the fearful disciples on the stormy sea we ask, "Why is he sleeping?" Join us as we look at the contrasts between fear and faith.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0035.mp3
Living by Faith
In this first of two programs on the Godly virtue of faith, Greg states that faith is the only way we can thrive in the midst of our troubled times.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0034.mp3
Faith or Denial?
Greg proposes 1) while denial and deception lie at the heart of Christ-less religion, faith in Jesus is not blind, and 2) Christ-centered faith always makes room for doubt, while the dogmas of Christ-less religion allow no place for questions.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR498.mp3
Q&R with Brad Jersak “Is faith a requirement?”
Question:
I’ve been on a journey today trying to process.
Faith in Christ still requires me. There is something wrong with this wording or something wrong with my understanding. It can’t be dependent on me. How can it be that God has covered our side of the covenant, yet it is our faith that somehow magically leverages God into some action? “Your faith has healed you.” Then I have to ask, “Who is God, us or him if our faith is the working component?
I get the need for participation. But what is the secret sauce to the inherent conflict of surrender and participation? How does one reconcile the two?
Response:
B...
August 2023
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Greg Albrecht: 60 years: He Had a Dream – pg. 2
Brad Jersak: BIPOC Faith 60 Years On – pg. 4
Richard Rohr: Envisioning a New World – pg. 7
Greg Albrecht A More Christlike Justice – pg. 8
June 2023
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Greg Albrecht: He Is Who He Says He Is – pg. 2
Laura Urista: 25 Father's Days – pg. 4
Brad Jersak: This God Comes Down – pg. 7
FAITH – God’s Goodness and Mercy – Greg Albrecht
QUESTION:
Do I understand correctly that faith comes as a gift from God and we can't develop true faith on our own? If so then it seems to me that God hasn't yet given true faith to most of the people that have ever lived, from Adam on down to today.
And if God shows no favoritism and loves everyone equally then at some point He will give everyone faith. Everyone will believe in Him. Whosoever believeth in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. And if we stand in front of God when we die surely we'll believe him then. Just seems to me like most people won't believe till after they die.
Didn't Jesus lead spirits out of hell when ...
Trusting In God Alone
Though a husband or wife, son or daughter, parent or friend might fail or betray us - should the bank close and the stock market crash - though doctors are unable to perform miracles - we are assured that our ultimate and unreserved trust is in God alone.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR437.mp3
Ground Zero of Our Faith – by Greg Albrecht
These first century A.D. Christ-followers lived in a port city, surrounded by promiscuity and permissiveness. They seemed anything but one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28) as they debated and endlessly argued some rather minor, inconsequential issues while losing sight of the BIG PICTURE altogether. Some appeared proud of tolerating incestuous sexual sin within their fellowship.
The Apostle Paul wrote two letters to this “wild bunch” of Christians in Corinth, addressing many specific problems and issues while relentlessly insisting on the BIG PICTURE of the cross of Christ. At the beginning of his first letter to the Corinthians, ...
Worrying, Wondering and Wandering – by Greg Albrecht
Not all those who wander are lost. – J.R.R. Tolkien (of “Lord of the Rings” fame)
There’s a scene in Stephen Spielberg’s movie Saving Private Ryan that I’ll never forget. During World War 2, a squadron of soldiers was sent to find and “save” Private Ryan. Their efforts were successful, but only at great cost. Some of the soldiers gave their lives to “save” Private Ryan. In fact, the best efforts of the Captain resulted in his fatal wound during a skirmish. As the Captain died in Private Ryan’s arms he whispered in Ryan’s ear, “earn this.”
The end of the movie fast forwards many years beyond ...
It’s Not Over Until It’s Over – by Greg Albrecht
Friend and Partner Letter from April 2023
Christmas, at least in its popular celebrations, centers on the birth of a baby. Who doesn’t love and adore babies? What’s not to like about feasting, music, decorations and presents? But Easter? In large part Easter is celebrated with eggs, chocolates, bunnies, flowers and Easter bonnets because that’s the way the secular world has dolled it up.
But by contrast with the warm, fuzzy and heartwarming story of Christmas, the deeper meaning behind Easter involves the haunting specter of a cross, with agonizing suffering, eventually death… and then there’s that dead body in a tomb. Birth ...
Faith in Sinai or Faith in Jesus?
Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, is the sure foundation, the Rock in whom and through whom we have faith.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR341.mp3
Our Journey of Faith
As our series on faith continues, we continue to study from Hebrews 11 and consider seven critically important facets of faith.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR340.mp3
Living Faith
In this first of a three-part series about faith, we define and explain the core elements of living faith — the faith that only God can give.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR339.mp3
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