NEWS, ARTICLES, DEVOTIONS AND MORE FROM BttB...

Becoming a Christian can be like stepping into a new country for the first time. All around are people using words you don't know and following customs that are new to you. Paul, as he continues his letter to the Colossians encourages his readers to dive right in and begin learning. But just like any world traveler knows, there are dangers to avoid, and Paul mentions those too.

The idea of the Trinity (God in three persons) has always been hard to comprehend. So where did the idea come from in the first place? From passages like the one we'll look at today. We'll take a look at Paul's words to the Colossians and be reminded of God's majesty over all.

Have you ever wondered how you should be in prayer for other believers? Paul sets a wonderful example for us in his letter to the Colossians. As he opens his letter, we'll learn a bit about the people who partnered with him in sharing the Gospel, and hear firsthand his prayer for the believers in the Colossian church.

One thing that rings clearly throughout all of Paul's letters is his appreciation for the support and prayers that other believers send his way. As we close our look at the Book of Philippians, we'll be encouraged to share our love and support with others out there doing God's work--and we'll be challenged to share our gratitude with those who support us.

Are you one of the many that have Philippians 4:13 memorized? "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." There's some great truth to be found in that verse, but it's even better than you think! Today we'll look at the verses leading up to this great truth and understand that with God we can face anything.

Being in prison, Paul was very aware of the types of challenges and trials we all face in life. Yet, through it all, Paul tells us we can experience joy and peace. Paul continues his letter by telling us how to find that divine source of peace and joy, and how to be a beacon of hope in a world longing for rest.

As Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from jail, he reminded them of something very important. As Christ-followers, the eyes of the world are upon us. As citizens of heaven, we've been given the responsibility of shining God's light to our neighborhoods, and the rest of the world. Find out more from Paul about how we can thrive as we live our lives for Christ.

Do you imagine God holding a clipboard and checking items off a list as He watches your life, evaluating your worthiness for heaven? "Baptized--check"; "Church attendance--check"; "Tithing--". While religious rituals and practices have their place in the life of faith, they have nothing to do with our salvation. We'll be reminded of God's great love for us in this important message.

Humility can be hard word to swallow, especially when everything inside us tells us to stand up and fight. But as Paul continues his encouraging letter to the Philippians, he challenges them to live a life of humility. And as an example, he points to the life of Jesus Himself. Find out more about the power of a humble servant in today's message.

If you were to guess about the overall tone of a letter sent from a prisoner, would you think it to be a joyful letter? That's exactly what we get in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians. Rather dwell on his circumstances, we'll see how Paul finds joy even while in jail. As we begin this study, we'll learn a bit more about what motivates Paul to continue his work for Christ.

Faithfulness is one of the most important attributes a Christian can demonstrate--because it is one of the most important attributes of God Himself! Because we are able to constantly rely on our unchanging Father, our life gains a foundation of bedrock on which we can build a life that can withstand whatever storm. Paul encourages this same faithfulness in his readers' lives as he concludes this important letter.

If it seems like God is asking a lot out of His followers, well, He is. But He is also promising a lot of help! Today Paul encourages his readers by telling them about the armor of God that protects us from the schemes and plans of the enemies of God. Find out more about your divine defenses as we draw near to the end of our study of Ephesians.

The way we treat our loved ones paints a vivid picture of the way we love our God. And it affects how the world perceives Him. As Christ-followers, every aspect of our life is to be lived under the guidance and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul explains more about this important instruction as he continues his letter to the Ephesians.

There is perhaps no greater picture of our relationship with God than can be seen in our relationship with our spouse. If one is in trouble, likely both are in trouble! Paul continues his letter to the Ephesians with a discussion on how to show love honor and respect in the home and tells us how this reflects upon our relationship with Christ.

Have you ever thought of the importance of music in our worship of God? It's been part of the church service from the very beginning. Paul encourages our songs as he continues his letter to the Ephesians, and then has a few words about living a well-organized life at home.

What does a life lived for Christ look like? How do we live in love? A lot of people think they know the answer but end up drawing people away from Christ by the way they live. Paul continues his letter to the Ephesians by helping us understand how to live like Christ, and how to avoid those who would pull us away.

As a Christian, are you mentoring someone, or being mentored by by an older believer? Passing along what we know and supporting others is a major part of sharing the Gospel. Paul will talk to us more in his letter to the Ephesians about the gifts God has given us, and the importance of living a life that honors God.

As you walk with Christ, you'll begin to look more and more like Him in the way you act and respond to other people, believers included. At least, that's how it should be. Paul reminds us today of these characteristics and explains why unity among the believers is so vital in this world that so often seeks to divide.

Ephesians chapter 2 stands as one of the most important passages of the Bible. Here we see exactly the method and the purpose behind our salvation. As we examine these verses, we can praise God that he hasn't left so important a message to be guessed at--it's there plainly for all to read.

After Galatians, we find Paul's letter to the Ephesians--a letter written while in prison. So it may seem strange that Paul begins his letter by talking about the blessing he--and all believers--enjoy in Christ! Find out more as we begin our look at this important letter.

The Christian will always face opposition. Whether others just passively ignore us, or are outwardly hostile to our message, we as believers will constantly find our perseverance tested. That's why Paul closes his letter to the Galatians with some encouraging words and some motivation to never grow tired of doing good.

When rain falls on a field, soon, new life begins sprouting. And a similar thing happens when we put our faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. Find out more about this new life that the Holy Spirit brings and learn what distinguishes it from those who choose to try to follow the law instead.

A question one has to consider when understanding the grace of Jesus Christ is, why did the ancient Israelites have such a strict law then? If that law can't save us, what was its purpose? Paul takes some time to answer that question as he continues his letter to the Galatian believers.

From the very beginning, people have been trying to add on to the Gospel of Salvation--usually for their own benefit. But as we begin our study of Galatians, we'll be reminded that salvation is free for anyone who simply believes the truth about Jesus and His great love for us.