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Can God use sinners while they are still sinners? Some would probably say a resounding “no!” However if this is true, we have a very serious problem with an incident that occurred in the Bible. This particular incident has had more than its share of comment, criticism, and speculation. Those who reject the biblical record say it proves a variety of conclusions. Some use it as an attempt to reject the Bible completely. Prior to Israel entering the promised land, Joshua sent spies to scout the land just across the border. Eventually, they entered a house. Rather…  ( Click for more )

There is a word used many times in the Bible that carries more weight and authority than any other in the Bible. It is used often in public prayer, as well as private conversations. We use the phraises "heavenly Father', "God", "Lord God", "Holy Father", etc. And these expression of worship and thanks are appropriate. But one word stands out as perhaps the most important word we can use in praying and references to God, whether in private prayers, giving of thanks, or public worship. That word is "Lord". This word means one to whom…  ( Click for more )

Someone, attempting to be humorous said “I can resist anything…except temptation”. It has been my experience that this statement could not be any more true. It is a universal truth that is almost universally proven by the human race. Short, pithy sayings are often humorous, and also illustrate a more important principle or truth. The implication of this saying being that the temptation itself is not the factor in a person’s mind that is sin. Rather, the temptation that is given in to, becomes the sin. The temptation of itself is not sin. Jesus was…  ( Click for more )

There is a cliche I grew up with that has come to mind many times: “Things change!“ Now is one of those times. Almost nothing stays the same. Sometimes by the hour. What is happening to “our world”? Can we understand at least some events that are rapidly occurring? At least an overview? The Bible says much, much more than that, if we will yield to the One who wrote it. Huge changes are about occur over the coming years. Some will occur so rapidly and in such magnitude many will be utterly confused and fearful of what is occurring in the world. This…  ( Click for more )

Kenney and I have something in common; we both have the same first name. But I never used it until I was in the Army. The Army insisted that I remember - and use it. “Kenny” - was a good man. What an incredible understatement! So much in five words! What an honor to be known as a good man! I believe he was one of the hardest working men I have ever known. Of course, perhaps he absorbed himself in his work in order to help deal with his afflictions. But - regardless - he worked when he didn’t feel like it, honored his employer, and set an example for others…  ( Click for more )

It seems that there has always been an endless theories, pronunciations, speculations, etc. concerning Jesus' return. Adding to the theories is a Jewish authority who has added his name to the list. He seems to have a new theory that ends with Jesus' return approximately 64 years from no (present time 2017). If correct, Jesus should return in the year 2081. Jesus said that there would eventually be those who say He is here, or there, or coming, etc., etc., claiming that they somehow have been led to believe Jesus will return according to their calculations. Approximately…  ( Click for more )

How long have you waited for God to answer your prayer? Perhaps He is waiting for you to truly believe. One way we can think of the Bible is that God is pleading for us to believe! He has gone to great links to convince - and convict - us to truly BELIEVE. While having a conversation with a close friend, we ended it when one of us said “let go and let God…”. The other agreed. This statement is time worn, but can be true…it works, and is the answer to many of our difficulties and lack of success in our efforts. Letting go can be extremely difficult…  ( Click for more )

Many years ago a movie appeared in theaters entitled "Is That All There Is?" Music accompanied the film emphasizing the question as a series of events evolved that reflected the frustration and disappointment of the major character as he lived through a life of various successes and disappointments. Sprinkled throughout the movie dialogue there is a moment of pause, and a voice asked "Is this all there is"? The movie apparently intended to emphasis the utter futility of life as it is lived out in several different lives of the characters. Have you felt…  ( Click for more )

Is there a universal sense of right and wrong in everyone - even those who have never ever heard of a God or Jesus Christ? Psychologists, philosophers, and Christian teachers have grappled with the conscience in one way or another for eons it seems. We all were born with a conscience, and it becomes active a very young age. It is part of God’s creation in us. It was created in mankind when God created Adam and Eve. They were created with a pure and undefiled conscience. They had a freedom of conscience that no one has experienced since their disobedience in the garden. …  ( Click for more )

It it so easy to forget an important moment, although that moment may seem to be gone forever. Some should last to be remembered always. Israel, when they were delivered out of Egypt, remembered for a while. But things got tough, they forgot the value of their deliverance. They grew weary with the journey. They were on the edge of a new land, a new life of abundance and peace. But...they could no longer trust Moses and Aaron, and those who brought back a good report of the land they were not ready to enter. They refused the opportunity, because being weary they feared the…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever come to a conclusion concerning something because of the silence concerning it? What is not said can be much stronger that what is said out loud. There are times when the “sound of silence” speaks louder than any other medium of communication. There is a related saying, as someone says to another “who you are speaks louder than what you say!” In other words. The hearer concluded something entirely different than what the speaker said. The sound of silence can be deafening. God us often denigrated and even ignored because He is not audibly…  ( Click for more )

Why is it so difficult to live life, if we are Christians, in the way that we know down deep that we should be living? Even when we desire with all our heart to live as Christ desires us to, the more we desire and strive to live as He would have us to strive, the more we struggle, the more we seem to go backward. Some give up and "go with the flow", and coast in the direction along with unbelievers around us who are following the world's way. It seems they are having it much easier then we are. And, it they are, its not as easy for them as we would like to think they…  ( Click for more )

Does Jesus’ sacrifice keep us from sinning? Or, does His sacrifice provide a substitute for the payment due us because of our sins? There are some religious beliefs that teach that His sacrifice blots out all our sins after we believe in Him - past, present and future, regardless of how we live in the future. Therefore, we can live a life that totally ignores sin, even if we sin deliberately, and without conscious remorse. Therefore, there is no need for ongoing repentance when sin is knowingly realized. Many would say “it was all settled long ago on the cross…”…  ( Click for more )

There is an interesting episode recorded in the book of Mark of the Bible that speaks volumes about faith, and belief. Sometimes those who truly want to believe in Jesus Christ find it too difficult to leave the desire and enter into genuine belief and faith. Mark records an incident in the book of Mark that addresses the difficulties believing when someone is faced with a crisis in life. Jesus encounters a father desperate to do something for his child who is plagued with demonic affliction. Notice the dialogue: "The demon has often thrown him both into fire and into…  ( Click for more )

We reap what we sow. This is such a well know statement that it is recognized and used to apply to life in general There are consequences. Some last a long time. Some, for the remainder of our lives. This is true of individuals and nations. That which we are seeing at the time of this writing is just the beginning of worldwide threats and troubles. The history of worldwide conflicts have, down through history, seemed to follow a pattern that begins rather incidental, then begin to escalate in their intensity. Jeremiah predicted this pattern long ago, and it seems to…  ( Click for more )

There seems to be more and more available - even equal - options that we must choose from in life. Indecision has been the culprit that has destroyed so many. From indecision in everyday life to indecision in love and war, with each passing moment, it is becoming more difficult to ascertain and decide issues among a variety available choices in our lives. The lost opportunity. How sad...and destructive it can be! Not only for others, but doubly so for those who preach and teach to others. Much is caused by the lack of clarity of the options. Ultimately, many resort to just…  ( Click for more )

You and I - regardless of how hard we try - cannot live a perfect and sinless life. However, in the sight of God and Jesus Christ, we are already considered perfect. However, we will be literally and completely perfect only at our resurrection. And even before then, if we die before Jesus returns. All of us, if we are truly submitted to God, desire to be all that He wants us to be. He certainly approves of our desire to be perfect as He is perfect. The desire is there, but the ability and capacity is beyond us. When we realize that we have "missed the mark", discouragement…  ( Click for more )

In the book of Daniel of the Bible there an intriging record of what occurred to a great king. It is the only record in the Bible of something like this. There was a great king named Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans. He was a haughty king, as many kings of the Bible were. Daniel, the prophet of that time was called before the king because of a dream he had that frightened him exceedingly. The king knew Daniel was a prophet, believed that he could interpret is dream. His dream showed words written on the wall of the king's palace. This is one of the most intriguing event in…  ( Click for more )

A friend and I were discussing the second world war. He had some experiences that apparently biased him against war, regardless of the purpose or the outcome. Finally, after our discussion he ended it with the statement "...we were not worth it". He was referring to all the participants in that war. All during the rise of America as a nation, there have been, over and over, sacrifices in wars and intrigues so that it became one of the major nations of the world. America has always said by a majority that it has been worth it.- it has been a thing called Freedom.…  ( Click for more )

Is there anything one can do or say that will not be forgiven? Is there any event, thought, or circumstance that could cause one to speak against that other member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit? Some deny God the Father and Jesus who paid our penalty for our sins, but is there a sin that will not be forgiven? That one sin consists of " blaspheming" the Holy Spirit. Admittedly this is difficult to understand using human reasoning and logic. The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. He is the ultimate in gentleness and love. He is God although in separate service…  ( Click for more )

Sometimes when God is bringing judgment upon a group of people, or even a nation, the majority are spared because of the righteousness of a few. He does this even though the guilty majority are far from Him. Many are saved because of the righteousness of the minority. Mercy is sometimes extended by a merciful God to those who do not know or honor Him, and are evil in their ways. (Genesis 18:25-33) In this record of Abraham's encounter with Jesus Christ (from the context, we see that encounter was the Christ prior to His coming to earth though many years later...), Abraham pleaded…  ( Click for more )

REST How many times have we longed for that short and simple word of only four letters! There are many ways and many circumstances in which Jesus will give you rest. Jesus is also speaking to the world - if all the world would come to Him, it would not be long before the world would be at peace. But - it all depends again on the largest and the smallest word in the world..."if". Much has been preached, written, and prayed concerning what Jesus actually meant. His stated condition for receiving what He promised is often overlooked in the first part of that promise.…  ( Click for more )

Believers in Jesus Christ as savior are measured (judged) but never condemned. And if they love others as He loves, they will never measure others (judge) and condemne others. They have believed and surrendered to Jesus Christ, they have received the Holy Spirit, and have been sealed for eternal life. - believers in Jesus Christ as savior are measured (judged) in this live but never condemned. And if they love others as He loves, they will never measure others (judge) and condemn others. Their faith is counted as righteousness by God. Even as Abraham who followed God’s…  ( Click for more )

The book of Revelation reveals God’s timetable for the consummation of all things pertaining to His plan for humanity. Beginning with the New Testament record and stretching forward to Jesus second coming. It reveals the ultimate destiny of the earth and at least much of the Universe and the future for all that He began. His timetable completes what He began in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” It reveals God’s nature, patience, and also His condemnation of the natural human with Him, and what He must do to save…  ( Click for more )