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Chuck Hartman is pastor of Honey Creek New Providence Friends in New Providence, Iowa. Friendly connection is an inspirational and encouraging daily walk through the Word of God.
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The gospel is a bold declaration, and we proudly proclaim it. It possesses great power, as it represents God’s good news. It is a saving message, the only means to genuinely transform the human heart. Main Text: Romans 1:16 (ESV)
The most common reason people try to compromise and dilute the gospel of Christ is to gain approval from men. Paul states, “Do I seek to please men?” Woe to us if we ever compromise the gospel. The gospel is perfect. It cannot be added to or taken away from. Main Text: Romans 1:16 (ESV)
Today, we focus on peacemaking. First, we need to understand what Jesus means by a peacemaker, but even before that, we must ensure we have peace in our hearts; this is important because you can't share what you don't possess. Therefore, if you are to be a peacemaker, and Jesus calls blessed those who are, it’s essential to understand what that peace is and to have it so you can share it with others. The peace Jesus refers to isn’t just a surface-level calm. Specifically, He’s talking about t...
There has been a collective failure of the twenty-first-century church: our tendency to pursue success and power in the church’s life, rather than where God has placed it. The power of God is never found in a program. As stated in Romans, the gospel concerning Christ, “is the power of God.”
You cannot have the gospel if you disregard the Lordship of Jesus. It becomes a diminished gospel that overlooks this truth. Jesus is the Son of David and the Lord of David; that aspect of the gospel is the good news of a Mediator Who came as the God-Man, embodying the incarnation of God. Main Text: Romans 1:16 (ESV)
You may know that the Greek word for “gospel,” “euangelion,” translates into English as “good news,” “good message,” or “good announcement.” The prefix “eu,” comes directly into English, as seen in words like eulogy and euphemisms. A eulogy is a kind word spoken in memory of someone who has just passed away. A euphemism is a term that makes something sound better than it is. So “euangelion” is “gospel,” meaning “good news.” Main Text: Romans 1:16 (ESV)
In the New Testament, we see the term “gospel” employed in various ways. There are three primary interpretations of the term “gospel.” The Greek word for “gospel” translates into English as “good news,” “good message,” or “good announcement.” The gospel is good news when we realize that we do not (and cannot) earn our salvation; the work of redemption and justification is accomplished, having been completed on the cross. Jesus serves as the propitiation for our sins. The gospel is the good ne...
Paul introduces the concept of the gospel, and the first aspect we need to grasp about the gospel is Who it belongs to. Paul refers to the “gospel of God.” He is using the possessive genitive structure. By saying “the gospel of God,” he is not merely discussing a message about God; instead, he is portraying an announcement that is owned, authored, and belongs to God. Main Text: Romans 1:16 (ESV)
Blessed are the pure in heart. Many Christians hear this specific verse, “blessed are the pure in heart,” and assume that being pure in heart means being without sin. So, when we hear Jesus say, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” we might think, “Well, that’s certainly not me,” since we are aware of our own shortcomings. We’ve been reflecting on our journey through the flow of the Beatitudes. Whether you see this flow as a ladder, stairs, stepping-stones, or rocks across a river, we started wit...
God has great plans for each of us, but to accept these blessings, we must be willing to let go of certain attachments. Main Text: Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV)
Let’s explore how God uses the changing seasons as a metaphor for our personal growth and preparation. It becomes clear that we can bear fruit, regardless of the season. Each season in life presents unique opportunities for growth, learning, and transformation that can lead to a thriving life, even during the most challenging times. Main Text: Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
Today, God desires to plant His Word deeply into the “soil” of our hearts. Why? It’s a great question, because He wants us to grow spiritually. As we build our relationship with Him, we will develop and produce fruit, just like healthy plants. Our roots will go down into Christ (Colossians 2:7; Ephesians 3:17). We should bear much fruit for His kingdom, and as mature believers, we should then desire to help harvest His fields. Main Text: Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)
Jesus gives new life to dead “stumps.” This tree imagery serves as a metaphor for how Jesus can bring new life, healing, and transformation to the heart of our being—making us new from the inside out. Main Text: Job 14:7 (ESV)
When thinking about our current situation, it’s important to consider how we can stay generous, regardless of the challenges or opportunities we encounter. This awareness and willingness to adapt help us remain flexible in our giving, matching the changing seasons of our lives. With this approach, we can continue to perform acts of kindness and provide support, fostering a spirit of generosity that endures through the months and years. Main Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
Blessed are the pure in heart. Many Christians hear this specific verse, “blessed are the pure in heart,” and assume that being pure in heart means being without sin. So, when we hear Jesus say, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” we might think, “Well, that’s certainly not me,” since we are aware of our own shortcomings. We’ve been reflecting on our journey through the flow of the Beatitudes. Whether you see this flow as a ladder, stairs, stepping-stones, or rocks across a river, we started wit...
If you have never prayed to receive Christ’s atonement for your sin, I invite you to pray with me now. Father God, I come to You confessing that I am a sinner. I believe that Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus, died on the cross to pay for my sins. I believe He rose from the dead so I can be justified and made righteous through faith in Him. Jesus, I choose to live for You, and I ask You to fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for saving me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Main Text: ...
Last time, I left off with the question, “Who wrote Hebrews?” Several authors have been suggested, including Luke, Apollo, Barnabas, and even Priscilla. All these names have been proposed by scholars and academics alike. Main Text: Hebrews
Historical records suggest that the consensus within the church settled on the belief that Hebrews was authored by the apostle Paul; however, almost no scholar in the twentieth century would support the idea that Paul wrote this book due to the significant differences in literary style, vocabulary, and thematic structure compared to his typical writings; this brings up the question: if Paul didn’t write it, who did? And the answer remains unknown. Main Text: Hebrews
“Grace be with all of you.” These words close the book of Hebrews, following a typical pattern in the New Testament. Main Text: Hebrews 13:22-25 (ESV)
The passage also emphasizes Christ’s resurrection as evidence of His divine mission (Acts 5:30; 1 Corinthians 15:13-20), marking the first mention of His resurrection in Hebrews. The author underscores that the new covenant is “eternal,” based on God’s unchanging plan to save humanity (Hebrews 8:4-8), contrasting it with the temporary nature of the world (Hebrews 12:25-29). Main Text: Hebrews 13:19-21 (ESV)
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