Discouragement
Satan has a large arsenal of weapons to use against the Christian. Some are more obvious than others yet all are potentially damning. Thankfully, we are “not ignorant of his designs” (2 Corinthians 2:11) and can prepare adequate defenses against his assaults. His schemes are numerous. Each is tailor-made for the individual and for the […]
The Insolent
Insolent. It is not a common word. But the Holy Spirit used it quite a bit. It’s found, in some form, 22 times in the Bible (ESV). Almost a third of the time it is found in Psalm 119 which is where I stumbled across it. English dictionaries define the word as someone who is […]
Moving On
Life is changing, moving and rushing onward. No matter how badly we wish to slow it down time just keeps moving. Sometimes we get stuck. Life moves on, but we are caught in a relationship or an event that seems to hold us back. How many hours will we squander on a lost cause? Christians […]
The Thief on the Cross
Many have asked how it is possible that the thief on the cross was saved apart from baptism. Some use the thief as proof that baptism is unnecessary in salvation. Their thinking is in error as the thief proves nothing concerning baptism. The story of the thief is found in some form in all four […]
On Being Thankful
A good Christian is nothing if not thankful. Our example and savior, Jesus, demonstrated his thankfulness to God through his often prayers (Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21; John 11:41). The psalmist wrote: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1) “Sing praises to […]
Church and Government
It’s time to talk about the church and government. It seems we are confusing the two. As a result, many Christians are wringing their hands over a federal judge who decided to mandate same-sex marriage in Alabama. There are some facts we should keep in mind. The Church and Government Are Not the Same While […]
Of God and Birds
I’ve been thinking a lot about God’s care for his people. I get in a rush sometimes and forget just how important his care is to us. Nothing happens secretly. He knows our every care and struggle. That means volumes to me. As I write this morning I am sitting in our front room looking […]
No Fear
Life is a scary place. Unlike television shows which portray trouble real life is trouble. You cannot switch it off or change the channel. Life happens. Sometimes we try to deal with life issues by pretending they are not there. Denial. Maybe we put it off. Ignore it and hope that it will go away. […]
The Basis of Morality, Part 2
Last week, we discussed two possible sources for the existence of morality: law and society. In either case the resulting moral code is subject to change and to the vagaries of society. That which is wrong today is right tomorrow. All it takes to shift the moral code is a change of opinion on the […]
The Basis of Morality
Terrible. Awful. Horrible. Confusing. Evil. Five words heard all week describing the events in France. It is hard to find words that adequately describe the carnage and brutality produced by Islamic terrorists. In my circle of associates, I know no one who would support these murderous activities. Elsewhere in the news we hear of other […]