1751 results for tag: Greg Albrecht

The Beginning of the End – by Greg Albrecht

Friend and Partner Letter from December 2023: Every year we celebrate Christmas in the last week of the last month of the year.  Is December 25 the end or the beginning? Are we celebrating the end of a passing year or the beginning of a New Year… or are we celebrating the beginning of the end?   For the past three years we have battled deadly foes, unseen like COVID and visible like the tyrannical Putin of Russia and the unspeakable brutality of war, most particularly in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Dare we hope that December 2023 is the end of some really difficult years, and that relative peace and prosperity is on the way for ...

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

November 30, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “It is my contention – and you may choose to disagree – that legalistic religion has fabricated and invented eternal conscious torment as the way God will punish those who don’t measure up.  But in the next breath, after condemning people to eternal conscious torment, Christ-less religion will assure them, ‘But don’t forget, God loves you.’  Think about it:  Why is it so important for religion to believe that God loves its followers but wants those who are not members of their church to suffer? Why are so many churches within Christendom willing to extend one hand to ...

How To Be a Successful Failure

The Apollo 13 mission was appropriately dubbed, "a successful failure." Many defining moments in life emerge when we are on the edge of fulfillment, yet denied the thing we most want. Greg shares a biblical example and its lessons for how to be a successful failure.

Our Image or God’s Substance?

Attempting to create a better impression of ourselves than we deserve is a powerful human temptation.  Greg discusses the Biblical story of Ananias and Saphira who tried to create an image of themselves that didn't reflect reality.

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

November 28, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “The teaching that God’s love is given to us, without strings attached, free of charge, goes against every human instinct.  All other religions – the Jewish old covenant, the Muslim code of law, the Buddhist eightfold path and the Hindu doctrine of karma all offer a way to earn God’s approval by human performance. Authentic, biblically based Christianity is unique in its teachings and beliefs that God’s love is given to us by faith alone, grace alone and Christ alone.” Originally published in: Spiritual Soup for the Hungry Soul, Volume 2 ----------------------------...

Pride and Prejudice

C.S. Lewis said that the essential vice, the utmost evil, is pride. Pride and prejudice go together like hand and glove -- both allow us to feel superior to others. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0079.mp3

Hanging By a Thread

Do you ever feel that you're just barely hanging on -- that you're hanging on for dear life? If so, you may be in a defining moment in your life when your decisions can either make or break you. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0078.mp3

Christ Alone – the Absolute Center of our Faith – by Greg Albrecht

  Studies of sermon topics and titles reveal that the vast majority of messages given within the churches of Christendom, perhaps up to 80%, are centered on the needs and desires of human beings, rather than on Jesus Christ. 80%!   The task of preaching and teaching the real, authentic gospel of Jesus Christ boils down to preaching Christ. The purpose of Christ-centered, authentic Christian teaching, preaching, ministry or church is not to preach the Bible, but to preach Christ. Of course, properly interpreted and understood, the Bible is all about Jesus Christ—he is not only the divine author but he is the subject and ...

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

November 26, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).  He didn’t come breathing fire.  He didn’t come filled with threats and condemnation.  He didn’t come so that we could receive lurid, detailed explanations of the eternal torture that surely awaits us if we don’t start obeying the law.  He didn’t come to reveal an angry and vindictive God.  Jesus came as a breath of fresh air.  He came, not to start another religion, but to begin a revolution that would eventually put religion out of business.”  Originally published in: Spiritual Soup for the Hungry Soul, Volume ...

December 2023

CLICK HERE to read now (PDF Format) Greg Albrecht: Not What Religion Expects – pg. 2 Kenneth Tanner: One-Sided God – pg. 6 Brad Jersak God in Our Image – pg. 7

The Fullness of Life

Greg considers what it means to give thanks, in light of Matthew 6:25-34.  Join him in reflecting on the words of T.S. Eliot, "Where is the life we have lost in living?"  Give thanks for true life, life in Christ, life eternal! https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR197.mp3

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

November 23, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “When you begin reading a book, you don’t pick it up and start reading page 78, do you?  You know that there is no way you will be able to make sense of the plot, the story thread, the theme or the main characters if you just plunge into the story without understanding the background.  If you go to a movie, you try to arrive before it starts.  You don’t want to miss anything you will need to understand as the story unfolds. We all like to see movies from the very beginning, and we all know that it’s hopeless trying to read a 600-page book in about 15-20 minutes by starting to ...

Thanksgiving – Getting Our Bearings

When we give thanks, we must obviously remember to whom we give thanks. Thanksgiving is a time to pause on our spiritual journey and ask directions - and get our bearings. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR145.mp3

Thankful For What?

The biblical nation of Israel entered into the Promised Land in spite of 40 years of rebellion and disobedience. Their Promised Land was not their reward for religious performance anymore than God's heaven is ours. May we never forget that it is God's grace that allows us to receive physical and spiritual blessings. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR092.mp3

How Can Jesus be 100% God and 100% Human? – by Greg Albrecht

Question: You have said the Bible does not teach a mixture of divine and human natures. Could they be joined in such a manner that it would be possible for Jesus Christ to die as both God and man? It is hard for me to believe these two natures were united in such a manner as to allow only the man in Jesus Christ to die. It is said the Son of God became flesh so he could suffer death for all men. Did God fail? You have also said that Jesus was and is God. "He always was God and always will be God," you once wrote. If the man in Jesus died and the soul of man was commended to God in heaven and the body of Jesus went to the grave, where was ...

Reflections Along the Jesus Way

November 21, 2023 - Quote for the Day: “Isn’t it ironic that legalism threatens humans with hell if they don’t measure up and perform, but in reality the hell it threatens is the hell it produces in the lives of its slaves?  Many live wretched lives in the hellish swamps of legalism, trapped by an obsession with good deeds they attempt to produce, threatened with continuing and intensified hell in the afterlife. Apart from Christ we cannot be freed.  I know, for I have been to religious hell and by God’s grace returned to tell you this story. I know many ‘good’ and sincere people, many of them dear friends, who are ...

Always Giving Thanks

In his Thanksgiving message Greg talks about a heart of gratitude. Being thankful is one of God's gifts that separates us from neurotic, self-centered, spiritually unhealthful lives. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR040.mp3

Meals on Wheels

It's amazing how much of Jesus' time was spent talking about food, and in preparing, creating and consuming it - not to mention attending banquets. And he himself is the Bread of life - a completely different kind of food, not found in restaurants or even some establishments that promise spiritual food in his name. https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR301.mp3

Don’t Forget – by Greg Albrecht

Every Friday night Eddie walked down to an old broken down pier on the eastern seacoast of Florida, walking slowly, slightly stooped over while carrying a large bucket of shrimp. The sea gulls flocked to the old man because almost every Friday night he provided a shrimp feast for them. People watching Eddie might have thought he was one taco short of a combo platter—just another crazy old man. It was a strange Friday night ritual. But for Eddie, it was all about remembering, it was all about giving back, it was all about giving thanks. Eddie provided a feast for the sea gulls while he stood there on that pier, lost in his thoughts, transpo...

Did God the Father Kill God the Son? – Greg Albrecht

I love whodunit mysteries, potboiler detective novels, television shows and movies. OK, I’m taking a risk – you may not respect me anymore and your trust in Plain Truth Ministries may be wavering – but you are my/our friend, you should really forgive me, so stay with me …  Employing DNA to identify the perpetrator(s) of a crime has been a fundamental tool of forensic science dating back to 1986. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is self-replicating and carries genetic instructions and information so that distinctive characteristics and qualities of living organisms can be determined. DNA, present in almost every cell of the human body, ...