Posts by Alan Allegra (Page 6)

Romans, Day 5 The Process – Sanctification Scripture passage: Romans 5 and 6 Key verses: Romans 5:3 – 5, 6:11 – 14 As we work our way through Romans, today’s reading deals with Chapters 5 and 6, and the topic of sanctification. As you read through those 2 chapters, you will not see the word “sanctification” (at least in my version), but it is there. So, what is sanctification? One way to look at it is the action or process…

Romans, Day 4 God Always Keeps His Promises (Romans 4:21)   No unbelief made Abraham waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised (Romans 4:20-21). Did you wake up today “fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised” in your life? What a question to think about as we start our day! This statement…

Romans, Day 2 GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS COMES BY FAITH IN JESUS “The Prevalence of Sin #1” Romans 1:18 – 2:16 God’s Wrath Against Mankind Romans 1:18 – 32 Paul explains to the church at Rome that the sin of mankind infuriated God to point of wrath. Mankind has suppressed the truth by their wickedness. He goes on to say that mankind should have known the existence of and knowledge about God, spiritual matters and truth through what we call today, “general revelation.”…

2 Thessalonians, Day 3 2 Thessalonians 3 The Word, the Walk, and the Writing  When reading the letters of Paul, has it ever occurred to you that these are — letters from Paul? In this age of emails and tweets, the art of letter writing has faded into oblivion with the 8-track tape and yellow rubber raincoats. We look at these letters and consider them books because of their length and depth, but letters they were, and we get to…

2 Thessalonians, Day 2 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 Good News: Jesus Will Return Chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians starts like a conversation where the messenger asks, “Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news first?” But reading through the chapter (2 Thessalonians 2:1 – 17), we see that the news was all good for the faithful church. The church members at Thessalonica were anxious. Not only were they being persecuted for their faith, it appears that…

2 Thessalonians, Day 1 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 1 Can’t help but thank God for you! . . . (2 Thessalonians 1)  “Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering” (2 Thessalonians 1:3 – 4, NLT) In these verses, Paul tells us about an…

1 Thessalonians Day 2 1 Thessalonians 2 | Marks of a Model Church What makes a model church? For a project at work, I’ve been compiling a list of local “churches.” Sadly, the majority of the 250 organizations I found do not fit the biblical definition of a church, and so many of those that do have fallen prey to some questionable modern trends. There are dozens of how-to books — with new and different ones appearing every year —…

TITUS, DAY 4 OBLIGATIONS OF BELIEVERS TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY Instruction to Titus and Closing Words Titus 2:11 – 3:15 PREPARING TITUS FOR HIS TASK It is not documented in Scripture when Paul and Titus ministered in Crete, but Verse 5 of Chapter 1 clearly states that Paul left Titus behind in Crete to finish the business of building the church of Crete with Godly leaders. I don’t want to repeat things from my fellow writers, but Paul has done this…

Titus, Day 2 Titus 1:10 – 16 Tell It Like It Is Being a pastor is a tough job. Actually, I don’t like to call it a “job,” or even a “career.” True pastors are paid for what they do, but that’s so they don’t have to do something else. Pastoring is a calling from above, and a dangerous one at that. It’s not just the controversy, opposition, and potential for persecution, that pose dangers — It’s the weight that…

2 Timothy, Day 2 Paul’s Instruction on Relationships, Part 1 PAUL CHALLENGES TIMOTHY TO STAY COMMITTED 2 Timothy Chapter 2 Paul begins Chapter 2 by requesting Timothy to be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ. He goes on to tell Timothy that he should pass on to others the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant doctrines that have been put into place by the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Paul has shown and taught Timothy —…