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At a critical point in Israel’s early history, during a period of immense change, uncertainty and challenge, they were encouraged to be strong and courageous. In fact, as Joshua – their newly-appointed commander-in-chief – received instructions on how to go about claiming the Promised Land, he was specifically admonished to be strong and very courageous. (See also Deuteronomy 31:6-8 & 23)

How could anyone expect Joshua and his people to exhibit strength and courage in the face of such obstacles? In the midst of a change of leadership, the…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever been challenged with, ‘Which came first, the chicken or the egg?’ A similar question can be posed concerning faith and our relationship with God. Do we develop a relationship with God through faith or deepen our faith as a result of a relationship with him? I suppose the answer could be both. It takes an acknowledgement of Him – the first step to faith in Him – to develop a relationship with Him; which in turn strengthens our belief in His person and purpose, increasing our faith. As James says, (If we) “Come near to God ……  ( Click for more )

Religion and politics, two hotly debated topics that some feel should never be jointly expressed in our lives are in fact inextricably intertwined. It is impossible to completely separate them because many political policies and most laws are at least grounded in moral precepts if not outright religious pronouncements. These in turn define what a society deems acceptable and unacceptable; what is good or bad, tolerable or intolerable. Even traffic lights and speed limits make ethical statements by emphasizing the worth of property and the value of life over the need for…  ( Click for more )

Over the past several decades doctrine has acquired a bad name, being associated with dogma, with its insensitive demands and unquestioning adherence to unfounded beliefs. But doctrine and the legitimate expectations of the church, can be – and are – good. In fact, Paul cautions us to, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16 “Sound doctrine” being that which conforms to the gospel. (1 Timothy 1:10 & Titus 1:9)

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Authors James Kennedy and Jerry Newcomb assert, “When Jesus Christ took upon Himself the form of man, He imbued mankind with a dignity and inherent value that had never been dreamed of before. Whatever Jesus touched or whatever He did transformed that aspect of human life. Many people will read about the innumerable small incidents in the life of Christ while never dreaming that those causally mentioned ‘little’ things were to transform the history of mankind.”1John explaining the over-riding purpose behind everything Jesus said and did as being…  ( Click for more )

Last week we saw how we are all afflicted with a sin nature and that the laws of the Old Testament and the expectations of the New are realized through love; of God and our fellowmen. (See Matthew 22:37-40; Ephesians 5:1) We must never forget however, that we were all once dead in our transgressions in which we used to live when we followed the ways of the world; gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature – making us potential objects of God’s wrath rather than recipients of His love. But God, being rich in mercy, made us acceptable and alive…  ( Click for more )

Why is an understanding of sin and it’s infiltration into our lives – entangling us in it’s consequences – so important? Because it takes an appreciation of sin and all its ramifications to truly appreciate mercy and forgiveness.

Job proclaimed that, “…man is born to trouble…” Job 5:7, and David confided that he was, “…sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Psalm 51:5 However, this is not necessarily a sin shared with Adam, passed on from generation to generation,…  ( Click for more )

Character is a distinctive trait or quality, a pattern of behavior demonstrating ethical character and a self-disciplined lifestyle as a result of moral code. It is the flavor or our being, the substance of our personality; developed intentionally or otherwise by what we expose ourselves to and participate in. Our character increasing or limiting our capacity to perceive the truth about ourselves and others – up to and including God.

Some would challenge that definition of character and the importance it plays in our lives. Especially since several generations of young…  ( Click for more )

In dealing with the reality of active persecution against the Christian faith today, the key word to the scripture quoted above may very well be yet; as many contemporary readers of the Hebrew epistle did indeed experience the ultimate test of their faith – as may we. The news, primarily out of the Middle East – such as the bombing of shrines and churches, beheadings and assassinations, a million dollar bounty on a Danish cartoonist who supposedly insulted the Prophet of Islam and a death sentence assessed against an author who questioned his belief-system –…  ( Click for more )

The movie, The DaVinci Code, now several years old, purported to reveal hidden information regarding Jesus Christ and the early church’s development within its story-line. It repeated allegations that have circulated for centuries; that Mary Magdalene was more than a spiritual supporter of Jesus’ ministry, being his lover if not his wife, possibly bearing him a child. As a result of that relationship, she supposedly rivaled Peter’s leadership of the early church; having lost a power struggle with him she was then relegated to being a particularly vile sinner,…  ( Click for more )

Last week, we considered a number of issues concerning immigration policy in light of a book titled, Welcoming The Stranger;1 highlighting the difficulties of immigration reform and its absolute necessity. The reasonableness of expecting individuals immigrating here to do so legally was paramount. The problem with that expectation being the restrictions imposed on prospective immigrants are virtually insurmountable and often applied unevenly. Another area of concern was with our current preference for people with pre-acquired educations and money, individuals capable of sustaining…  ( Click for more )

Is the title of an excellent book co-written by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang,1Christian advocates of immigration reform who seek to interject justice, compassion and truth in the immigration debate.

Their attempt at an honest and even-handed approach to this often contentious debate – both in congress and on the streets of America – seem to me to revolve around comments and questions posed about midway through their book. “Since the time of the Puritans, who emigrated from Northern Europe seeking religious freedom in the west, immigration…  ( Click for more )

“…he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13 So says Jesus concerning the Holy Spirit’s role of revelation in and through the Word. Yet the world continues to echo Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” John 18:38 Time magazine addressing this issue a number of times, none more balanced than in, “The Lost Gospels”1; highlighting mankind’s on-going search for truth in the midst of dissatisfaction with what is revealed, seeking additional revelation to either support or supplant what they’ve “learned”. …  ( Click for more )

Sin is defined as any violation of divine law by transgression or neglect. Being a conscientious people, we are often careful not to do the things we know shouldn’t be done, but we nevertheless often fail to do the things we ought. It’s still sin (James 4:17); which makes us all sinners. Paul declaring that, “There is no one righteous, not even one;” Romans 3:10 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,…” Romans 3:23 But if we’ve accepted Christ as our Savior, aren’t we free from the…  ( Click for more )

The call for repentance is one of the most common messages delivered throughout scripture. (Along with God’s persistent love and promise of salvation.) A cry repeated by wild-eyed prophets, a calmly assured Rabbi and dedicated disciples; a message needed today as in any other age. (And just as reluctantly received.) For as Paul reminds us, “In the past God overlooked… ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30

But what are we to repent of? Sin. And what is sin? The breaking of God’s law, which He…  ( Click for more )

I’m going to be honest here and admit that I expect liberals to sin. After all, they’re liberal – with different views on how morals and ethics are applied and defining value systems differently than I do as a conservative. The problem being the number of conservative politicians, preachers and “family value” advocates who have been and are now being caught in immoral behavior as well. And if that’s not bad enough, an honest evaluation of the church at-large exposes a value system very much like the “world’s”;…  ( Click for more )

What is the Gospel or good news of Jesus Christ and how should it impact our daily lives? I believe it was summed up by Jesus himself when he said, “…God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16; which was the universal application of God’s love announced to the shepherds by the angelic host, “…saying… I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10

To inaugurate his ministry, Jesus announced,…  ( Click for more )

“The roots of Christianity lie deep within the biblical feasts. On Passover Jesus became the lamb whose blood redeemed us, on Firstfruits he rose from the dead as the firstborn of the new creation, and on Pentecost he poured out his Spirit to inaugurate the new covenant.”1

Besides these three feasts or holy days – which are celebrated in the spring of the year – three more were initiated by God on Mount Sinai – celebrated similarly close together – in the fall. The Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah, commemorates…  ( Click for more )

In their book, Sitting At The Feet of Rabbi Jesus,1Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg boldly state, “The roots of Christianity lie deep within the biblical feasts. On Passover Jesus became the Lamb of God whose blood redeemed us, on Firstfuits he rose from the dead as the firstborn of the new creation, and on Pentecost he poured out his Spirit to inaugurate the new covenant.” And while I was aware, in a general sense, of a number of points they make, several others I was unfamiliar with.

The place to begin is at Passover, which is the Jewish celebration…  ( Click for more )

The idea of radical Christianity is based on the actions of the one we should constantly seek to imitate; Jesus Christ. The most memorable incident of radical zeal being his violent cleansing of the temple precincts, causing his followers to recall the words of David to describe what they had just witnessed – “…zeal for your house consumes me,…” John 2:17 (See also Matthew 23:1-35)

Predictably, Jesus’ zealous sense of ministry was responded to in a number of ways. Some tried to forcibly crown him King (John 6:15), then because…  ( Click for more )

A brand New Year with new opportunities and responsibilities is about to unfold. I hope you will look at this New Year as if it were a blank piece of paper, ready to record your responses to the possibilities for success in 2014. But don’t fill it with New Years’ resolutions and promises you won’t or can’t keep; rather pray over it like Gideon prayed over his fleece (Judges 6:36-42), seeking the Lord’s direct involvement in developing your goals and priorities for the upcoming year. It can and will be as interesting, exciting, and productive…  ( Click for more )

Don’t you just love this time of year? The family get-togethers, exchanging gifts, playing in the snow and caroling. Even the charitable contributions we make to the food and gift drives for the less fortunate warm our hearts as we express genuine concern for others. (The Christmas season opening our eyes to the opportunities for being a blessing to the needy around us like no other.) Yet in making new memories and remembering old times together, let’s not forget what’s really important. Think back with me for a moment and...remember.

A…  ( Click for more )

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia once challenged Christians to, “Have the courage to have your witness regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.” (For Biblical examples of just such willingness – see Paul at Athens, Acts 17:16-34 & before Festus, Acts 26:1-24) Furthermore, we all need to acknowledge that our not being able to fully understand something doesn’t necessarily make it foolish. This is doubly true of God and His ways. (Is. 55:8) And just because…  ( Click for more )

Does that get your attention? Many in our world today believe just that, primarily because they try to understand the gospel intellectually before they will allow themselves to believe, while the gospel requires us to believe in order to understand. The message of the cross is indeed foolish to some. “…to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Mankind’s physical surroundings and material capabilities have greatly improved since the writing of the New Testament as a consequence…  ( Click for more )