Once someone’s mind is made up it is difficult to change it.

The book of Hebrews tells us that Christ Jesus is better than anything religion has to offer.

As you read Paul’s letters, look for overlapping themes that when put together make a complete idea. One of these themes involves Christians living as citizens of heaven while on earth.

The book of Romans is Paul’s most formal letter—probably because Paul had never been to Rome. Not only is the book written in a formal manner, but the theological content far exceeds the other letters written by Paul. Romans can be divided into three sections:

Second Corinthians 13:5, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you unless indeed you fail the test?”

Today’s thought deals with a very private matter that most people do not want their pastor to address: financial giving. If most people do not like pastors to talk about money, especially giving generously, why bring up the subject?

Throughout Second Corinthians, Paul communicates that the goal of the believer is to live in the present with eternity in plain sight. With eternity as the goal, a believer is able to endure the present struggles, knowing that trials provide opportunities to grow in one’s relationship with God and share God’s sustaining comfort with others.

Continuing to read the word of God as a church family, we come to Second Corinthians. Paul sent this letter to the church that he started in Corinth during his second missionary journey