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Do you know, or know of, a person that seems to be a perfect person - at least as perfect a person as a human can be? If you do, you are not alone. I know one also. A good person. But not a Godly person. It has seemed for a long time to be such a contradiction - this person seems sinless, as much as can be seen, observed or discerned. Human perfection in almost every way. Ironically however, this person is not a Christian, has no interest in becoming a Christian (as far as we can see…), but seems to lead a life in many ways that Christians should be living.…  ( Click for more )

How many times have we heard the expression "what, me worry...?" Of all the conditions of mind rampant in the human race, there is one that comes closest to being universal. It consists of only five letters in English. It is one of the most universal - if not THE most universal condition of humanity on this earth…everyone has it even if not evident, it is a silent, sometimes infectious “disease”, which to this date seems completely resistant to any attempt to find a cure. There are many labels given to those that are rather notorious. Worry. …  ( Click for more )

In our memory, heart, and mind, loved ones never die. It is something that can never be completely forgotten. So it was also, with Jesus. There are times in everyone’s life when death strikes. Seldom is it anticipated, unless someone has endured a long illness, And when a friend or a someone well known to us dies, there is sadness that can be inexpressible. There is recorded in the life of Jesus when He dwelled on earth that has seemed somewhat strange to some. When Jesus heard of the death of one near to him, he was sorrowed and wept in sympathy for the relatives…  ( Click for more )

In one the Apostle Paul’s letters there is a statement by which he begins to summarize what he had just written. He had begun with his treatise in Romans chapter 7. Many times in this writer’s journey as a Christian, I have hurriedly turned to only one verse in his summing up of the Christian life, and the Christian’s destination. And this encouraging scripture is contained in less than one verse, actually only two words in one verse: “Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe…  ( Click for more )

Most of those of us who confess to be Christians are familiar with the following: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” - Luke 10:27 There is a peculiar irony concerning us as humans - and especially so of those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Why is it seemingly much easier to love God (who we cannot see), than it is to love another human being? Of course there is “romantic love” between man and woman,…  ( Click for more )

Nothing strikes terror in the mind of a student in school more than the word “test”! Our lives are, as Christians, sometimes filled with God’s testing. His testing is not to determine whether we “fail’ or “pass“. If we belong to Christ, He sometimes tests us in order to strengthen us, not to cause us to fail in anything. Often our testing is just to inform us, or to guide us, or set us on a different path in life. Regardless of His reasons, they are for our good. We may never know, until our resurrection, His reasons for the tests. …  ( Click for more )

The Beginning? There are several references in the Bible that refer to a “beginning” or “beginnings”. Some include reference to an “end” or “endings” of an event or events. Jesus refers these dramatic events as the beginning of the end. Sorrows and unimaginable suffer is described as only the beginning. These, in most instances include in the context of crises. or times of crises, involving disastrous events, either locally, and in a few instances universal events involving the whole world. The Bible in most instances refer…  ( Click for more )

Is it wrong as a Christian to seek eternal rewards from God? The Apostle Paul affirms that every Christian who remains faithful until they die will also receive an award from Jesus. Even more than this, Jesus Himself affirms and speaks directly of those who struggle to grow spiritually. To those who overcome difficulties of every kind He will say “Well done”! To those who had been given different gifts, they all receive same reward, only according to the ability and capacity. All will be rewarded according to what they had been given…not according to what someone…  ( Click for more )

Do you find yourself reliving and rerunning your life, reflecting on your life as far back as you can remember? As we all grow older, this tendency increases for some. And eventually they may wonder why…why does the mind tend to begin to play reruns of events from our past? Assuming that it does (and will) happen to many, is this simply “old age”, too much time on the hands, or, perhaps as some might surmise, a nervous breakdown? Our mind in some way that is mysterious, begin to fill and record every thought, and every experience, as the years go by. The…  ( Click for more )

There is an old Christian melody that includes the phrase. “…troubles trouble us all”. Who among us, if we are striving to live as Christ wants us to live, have not experienced troubles of one kind or another. In a world that steadily grows more dangerous and difficult to live in as Christians, at times troubles in our lives may seem an understatement. Most Christians understood the likelihood, at least to some extent, when they first believed. Some, when they first believed, have not been heard what to expect in the world they were accustomed to experiencing.…  ( Click for more )

(Definition: “Parallax is a displacement or difference in the apparent position of an object viewed along two different lines of sight, and is measured by the angle or semi-angle of inclination between those two lines.” ‎Parallax (disambiguation). The short definition: an uncertain and divided direction of living. As Christians we must have a kind of parallax view In order to grow and endure in our Christian lives. We all must look at our lives differently than those in the world. We must view our lives on two levels… the most important view is the…  ( Click for more )

Have you heard any bad news lately? Are we entering the “time of the end? Most who are middle age or older have probably heard much regarding the prophesied time of the end…when Jesus returns and prevents the destruction of all mankind. There is a theory regarding world affairs and their relation to the passing of time. The theory attempts to interpret the history of nations by interpreting events by looking at all world events by using a stair step theory of these events. Using history since Jesus came, world events are measured by ascending stairs steps. As world…  ( Click for more )

The two are beautiful illustrations of the principle of “type and anti-type“; the same at different times, and in different ways, in different places. It is felt by some that understanding the Old Testament is so frustrating and difficult that they become discouraged and finally discontinue reading it at all. They (the two testaments) are both involved in the restoring of peace, But in different methods, and at different times. Both methods are eternal…they will always work - If... If real peace is really wanted. half-way measures will undermine both methods.…  ( Click for more )

During the years that the Apostle Paul preached to and guided the converts of that day, he admonished the churches under his responsibility according to the necessities that he observed in all the churches of that dispensation of the gospel. His times are not our times now…our world, and its inhabitants, and those converted in our day are completely different. Even what is described as “human nature”, molded by a modern world, is in many ways very different than the days of the Apostle Paul. Therefore, the requirements for the churches of today require different…  ( Click for more )

Regardless of yesterday, today, or tomorrow as we walk each day, striving to live in Christ, the third member of the Godhead, is always with us and in us. Being convinced is the challenge. Part of the Holy Spirit's job is convincing. He actually has three duties: convicting, convincing, and encouraging. (John 16:7-8 AMP) He will be with us and in us always. He will never leave us or abandon us regardless of our mistakes, or inadvertent sins, and circumstances. He inhabits us completely, knows every thought, every emotion. The Holy Spirit is the one member of the Godhead…  ( Click for more )

There is a time sometime in the future, when those who are alive, and those have died - even those who have perished in oceans and seas, even all those since mankind was created - will be resurrected and be judged. Those who have believed will be made immortal and be rewarded with eternal life and glory with God. “You have no assurance of your life…” - except that which Jesus Christ gives you by His grace, as the result of your belief in Him. A well-known commentary says it clearly: “Since everyone who goes before the great white throne is to…  ( Click for more )

There comes a time in the history of every age when the sheer complexity of life and living becomes so burdensome and therefore so complex, that it is almost impossible to chart our lives with any dependable certainty. That time is coming for our times. If not already upon us. There is a strange, almost universal kind of sleep, in our world. And at the same time, almost every for of evil and violence multiplies almost daily. This results in a feeling of abandonment for some when there seems to so real solutions. Eventually some say "why worry...eat drink and be merry,…  ( Click for more )

Do you ever wonder about your relationship with Jesus Christ? There are times when weaknesses may seem to undercut our assurance that we are saved, or that God is angry with us because of a perceived weakness. Being still human, we are susceptible to an array of influences in our lives that are broadcast satanic thoughts and feelings - all which depress and discourage us in our relationship with our loving Savior. In a sense, all that Satan has to do is get us to doubt our salvation which influences our minds. Our minds are so constructed to absorb wrong influences as well…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever been deeply offended by someone in some way, either accidentally or deliberately? You can suffer day and night from the hurt. Especially if it was totally unexpected, and done by someone who had complete trust; a long-time friend, or someone you trusted unconditionally. Perhaps the hurt was or was not deliberate, but your hurt was shocking due to past experience with the individual had been completely trusting. If the offense is accidental or deliberate, there are times when the nature of it, or the occurrence of the same offenses under different circumstances, attempts…  ( Click for more )

We are told that there no two humans on the earth that are exactly alike…in every detail, outward and inward. This is difficult to believe. Surely…in so many billions of humans - there are at least two who are exactly alike. However, if there were, surely someone would have found them and told the world by now. I am familiar with a small group of men who have been getting together to visit for several years, just to visit and fellowship, for two hours per week. It is amazing how this group can visit for about two hours. As I understand, in all the hours over the…  ( Click for more )

A friend of a relative stated that most do not realize they are getting older until they are between 80,83 years of age. The one who said this was in the mid 80’s, and had studied the phenomenon for a long time, and had noted it over and over. It is apparent to this person, who is a professional in the medical field, that most people (especially men…), between age 80,84 begin to be aware of certain changes in their body that they had never noticed before. It seemed almost universal…something happens during this age span that cannot be explained medically…  ( Click for more )

Why is it so difficult for pray...at last for some...and perhaps for many? It seems to vary from person to person. One may say that it is their delight that they look forward to as often as possible. Others claim it is an agony, and they must force themselves. They say that it is fearful to pray because God is so great and powerful and they feel they are so sinful and unworthy. They perceive God will condemn, or even destroy them because they know they have sinned. If not in actions, in their thoughts. In view of the wide spectrum of feelings and subsequent responses, how should…  ( Click for more )

Why would an eternal almighty God stoop down in the dirt and create a vastly inferior being, although a being that is a masterpiece of His creation? The speculation is intriguing of course…as intriguing as there are those who speculate. There are various theories as to why God decided to create mankind. No one completely knows the mind of God…especially as far back as when mankind was created. But God was led to create mankind because of the disobedience of one being already dwelling with God. So He decided to create beings to someday live with Him who would never…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever said something and realized later that it was wrong? Then you felt sick at heart with the burden, it was so heavy with sorrow and regret? You knew later that you had said the wrong thing - logically, and spiritually. An accidental encounter with a man who was to become a close friend, spoke the following words when I told him I was a writer: “Be careful with words…you can’t get them back…”. I have thought many, many times of his words since then. I had only begun to write, and his words, I pray, have served me well. There have…  ( Click for more )