Subscription Lists

Our lives are filled with new opportunities; new schools, new jobs, new relationships. Can we embrace all these areas of unfamiliarity with confidence and assurance of success? Not automatically, but it can be had. Remember your loved ones’ instruction, your church’s concern and direction, your education and effort. Then look directly to God for further guidance. He has declared to believers throughout the ages that we are, “...not to be afraid or terrified..., for the Lord your God goes with you.”; and promises that, “....He will never…  ( Click for more )

I dislike the idea of commenting on everything that happens, especially when the facts behind an event are often so slow in revealing themselves. The Boston Marathon bombing is one such event, an important and tragic one to be sure, but what is there to say now to shed any real light on the circumstances leading up to and following such horrific circumstances?

I have, however, recently read an article by Bob Russell1 that does indeed make some good points worth sharing; along with some thoughts of my own. In it Mr. Russell notes several Biblical principles he believes…  ( Click for more )

Last week we briefly looked at the declarative statements of Jehovah and Jesus using the descriptive assertion – I Am. This week we’ll observe how that same self-descriptive phrase was often used by those responding to the call of “Come, follow me.” – in both the Old and New Testaments.

God challenged Abraham to prove his faith with faithfulness; Abraham twice answering with an expectant, “Here I am.” In being instructed to go with his son Isaac to offer a sacrifice, “Here I am” signified an acknowledgement…  ( Click for more )

How would you describe yourself starting with the phrase – I am…; male or female – big or small – generous or stingy – black or white? Declarative statements such as these help define us, Jesus describing himself this way a number of times. For example, in discussing the coming of the Messiah, Jesus said, “I who speak to you am He.” – I am He whom you are expecting. John 4:26 On another occasion, Jesus’ sanity was questioned and his authority challenged, to which he replied, “…before Abraham was born,…  ( Click for more )

Being ridiculed by unbelievers is commonplace for Christians, but to have our motives questioned and even attacked by believers is less expected and indeed hurtful. Yet on a number of issues – such as liturgy, dress, and music – that is exactly what is happening.

Attempting to enhance the church’s outreach to unbelievers, many have added contemporary services with edgier music and a relaxed atmosphere to tremendous success. But some already in the church feel threatened, believing their concerns about reverence and propriety are dismissed…  ( Click for more )

Far too many people today believe living an obedient life in Christ is something we do for God, rather than allowing Him to so thoroughly indwell us that what we do is a natural outgrowth of who – or whose – we are. The prayer Paul prayed for the Ephesian church used in part as the title for this article more fully saying, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Ephesians 3:16,17 Additional significance found in a fuller…  ( Click for more )

Last week we looked at some of the reasons behind the Biblical expectation of obedience. This week we’ll look at practical ways our behavior impacts our lives by examining some scriptural examples available to us.

Jesus asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” And explains that, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Luke 6:46 & Matthew 7:21 If we agree that obedience is…  ( Click for more )

The word obey has become a four letter word in today’s society. Whether as a result of rebellion, a lack of understanding or little faith in those asking us to obey; we hesitate many times even to accept advice or direction.

What does it mean to be obedient? It can mean simply carrying out an order but many times it means to be guided by advice that has the advantage of having been tried before and shown to work. Is there a difference? Taking advice leaves the option of doing or not doing; listening to the experience of another and either doing in whole…  ( Click for more )

The interest and reverence generated by the recent selection of a new Pope, coupled with the worldwide observance of Easter, contrasts sharply with some of the ideas being considered across Europe and the United States. No one necessarily denying that both continents were established and built upon the beliefs and actions of their forefathers, but a hotly-contested debate centers on whether we should continue to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors or find our own way. In particular, some question the relevance of these men’s faith and the practical everyday…  ( Click for more )

As we celebrate the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ that sets us free from the penalty of sin, we often breathe a sigh of relief for the loosening of the constraints of the “law” in our daily lives as well. And while that was a more urgent issue for Jews converting to Christianity, who were heavy-laden with the rules and regulations that had grown up around the original commands of God, we Gentiles likewise find release and relief from the idea of having to earn our way into heaven; however self-imposed. Paul’s letter to the Romans enumerating much…  ( Click for more )

Judas, like Benedict Arnold, has become synonymous with treachery and betrayal. While the other Apostles’ shortcomings offer encouragement in their depiction of common people attempting to follow an uncommon God and being used in remarkable ways as a result; Judas Iscariot stands as a warning concerning the evils of spiritual carelessness, squandered opportunity, sinful lust and hardness of heart. He exposes the possibility of an association with Christ that is unsatisfactory for all involved; as coming to Christ in a superficial relationship with inappropriate expectations…  ( Click for more )

The Bible says the least about Nathanael, James the Less and Thaddaeus, yet what it does say is informative and significant. Nathanael first heard of Jesus through his friend Philip, who informed him of his belief that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah. (John 1:43-45)

Philip’s description of Jesus, as foretold by Moses and the Prophets, hints at Nathanael’s familiarity with Hebrew scripture. But his first reaction to the announcement concerning Jesus reveals a prejudiced attitude against people of different backgrounds; causing him to question,…  ( Click for more )

This verse addresses issues hotly debated in society today, posing the question of self-control. Is there such a thing, and if so, how do we achieve it? Many believe we are little more than lusty animals, however more highly developed, with limited ability to control our emotions or actions. As such, should we be forcibly restrained or merely allowed to run wild and free in expressing ourselves?

But what about consequences? Who’s responsible if things don’t turn out well? Do we teach abstinence from sex, drugs and drinking or do we provide protection…  ( Click for more )

If you are prone to seeing the obstacles in life rather than the possibilities (John 6:5-7) and have trouble getting beyond the details that tend to obscure vision rather than expanding it (John 14:8,9), then you may have more than a little in common with Philip.

No Jewish name is given for Philip – a decidedly Greek name – indicating a Hellenized background; thoroughly modern in thought and action (not always a good thing, but not always bad either), based on Greek attitudes and philosophy – full of “foreign”, contemporary customs…  ( Click for more )

Matthew was probably descended from the priestly tribe of Levi (Luke 5:27,28), but at first glance seems the least likely to be called or respond positively to Jesus’ invitation to follow him; yet his response was immediate. Notorious by virtue of his occupation – a publican or tax collector – he was considered a brazen sinner. (Luke 5:30) He was in fact a collaborator with the enemy; tax collectors of his day often being unprincipled in their dealings with their own people as they represented the authority and interests of Rome. (See the story of Zacchaeus…  ( Click for more )

The “defense of marriage” debate is an ongoing one in my home state of Indiana, as well as many other states across the country; with a number of people questioning why a constitutional amendment is needed when a state law already stipulates that marriage is properly defined as the joining of one man to one woman. A secondary concern being the probability of a Supreme Court ruling on this issue in the near future, possibly negating decisions made at the state level beforehand.

At the center of this debate are challenges to the traditional view of marriage…  ( Click for more )

From the first moment to the last, the disciples struggled to understand the full impact of Jesus’ invitation to, “Come, follow me,…” (Matthew 4:19); failing to fully comprehend the extent to which this call would take them out of their comfort zones and the demands it would make on their lives. (Matthew 19:27) Beyond that, they struggled to grasp the reality of Jesus’ deity and his mission to save souls in contrast to saving Israel. Which is somewhat understandable as Jewish scripture cites few examples of personal redemption for individuals…  ( Click for more )

People tend to idealize and even idolize those they admire, Christians being no exception. And while respect should be shown, we must never forget that all of us have our own peculiarities and foibles – weaknesses and strengths. Placing others on a pedestal virtually guarantees disappointment, discouragement and failure on their part and ours; unrealistic standards being unattainable for them, unapproachable for us.

The twelve Apostles are no exception. By virtue of their association with Christ they became huge over-achievers (Ephesians 3:20), accomplishing…  ( Click for more )

In our first look at Solomon, we examined his tremendous success, achieved with relative speed; and then saw how soon that began to crumble at an ever-quickening pace as well. The main reason being compromise; of principles, commitment and adherence to God’s will. This lack of directed purpose manifesting itself most prominently in his infatuation with women, most damagingly expressed in an accommodation – if not adoption – of their gods. As such, “He followed Ashtoreth… and Molech…”; building “…a high place for…  ( Click for more )

Solomon took Israel, a country his father – King David – fought so long to secure, to a whole new level. He refined the capital of Jerusalem with his impressive building projects (1 Kings 9:10-23) and redefined the country by expanding its borders and improving its defenses on land and sea (1 Kings 9:26,27); gaining for himself and his nation a reputation for other-worldly wisdom and prosperity primarily through peace and commerce. (1 Kings 10:14-29) So what happened?

Why did everything he and his father worked so hard to achieve…  ( Click for more )

When Jesus was gathering his first disciples, what did he mean when he said, “Come, follow me,…”? Immediately following that challenge with, “…and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 Several were already fishermen, aware of the tricks of their trade; the nuances of different types of fish, how the surrounding conditions affected their prospects for success in catching them. What kind of catch would they be trying to make as fishers of men? Would any and everyone be a candidate or should they select only certain ones? Does…  ( Click for more )

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God…” Romans 1:1 Considered by many to be the greatest missionary of Christianity and it’s foremost theologian, writing thirteen books of the New Testament while being a focal point of the Book of Acts, Paul is known to have traveled extensively throughout Asia Minor, the Grecian Peninsula, Italy and possibly Spain (Romans 15:24) and Great Britain. Traveling tremendous distances, suffering many hardships, experiencing both success and opposition; he influenced…  ( Click for more )

In speaking of God’s purpose for the creation of mankind, St. Augustine declared, “You have made us for yourself,…”; which when truly understood enables us to find direction and contentment in our relationship with Him. He went on to assert that,”…our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.” Rest denoting completion and confidence gained through a recognition of God’s will; the very things we often claim to need and want but seldom find the time to properly cultivate.

A proper understanding of God’s…  ( Click for more )

“A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on it’s stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men,...” Matthew 5:14-16

This time of year, we are especially drawn to light; as it gets dark earlier, house and street lights are more noticeable; with a chill in the air, fireplaces radiate welcoming warmth. We decorate our homes in festive colors; trees trimmed with lights while candles shimmer and dance. Mankind has always…  ( Click for more )