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Sure they do. As individuals, we are all inclined to respond to certain situations differently and at times instinctively react to circumstances we are confronted by; but even so we all by-and-large “act out” at the end of a thought process or as a result of experiences we’ve previously had. Which may not be immediately evident but a product of cause and effect none-the-less; experienced through periods of exposure and in turn decisions to turn away, consider or participate in. Going from exposure to participation may take days or mere moments, the smaller…  ( Click for more )

So says Psalm 34:8, with the assurance then that “he delivers them.” But what does that mean? There have been several tragedies in our church family lately, with the resultant questions of Why? To what purpose? And finally, How could God make – or allow – this to happen?

Which in turn raises the question: Does God deliver us out of all trouble or lead us through it? The disconcerting answer being – both. Disconcerting because we don’t want to be delivered through our problems but avoid them altogether. The Psalmist again declaring…  ( Click for more )

“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13,14

I must admit that this scripture has at times bothered and confused me. Jesus said, “…God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Paul re-enforcing that by stating, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”…  ( Click for more )

So writes Paul to his Corinthian congregation, finishing that thought by explaining, “…so that by all possible means I might save some.” Does this suggest an elasticity that allowed him to change according to the individuals he was with at the moment, becoming who they were to accommodate their sensibilities and preferences? Or does it imply an ability to recognize one’s surroundings, an understanding of a target audiences culture and background, and an adapting of one’s “delivery system” so as to avoid confrontation even as the message…  ( Click for more )

Sometimes we say things we don’t really mean, often as a result of anger, in an attempt to impress someone or to simply disguise the truth. It happens as well in church as we sing praise choruses to a God we don’t really know but want to impress none-the-less. One of the more insightful being “Breathe”1. It’s not complicated musically or lyrically, but if sung with conviction and understanding can be extremely powerful.

“This is the air I breathe, this is the air I breathe;” The first breath of air we take at birth signifies…  ( Click for more )

What would the world be like without people who are unafraid to take on difficult tasks and get things done, even if they occasionally fail; knowing that refusing to try guarantees failure? The Apostle Paul would seem to be such a man.

The problem with some of these terribly active over-achievers is that they tend to be so much more task-oriented than prayer-motivated in anticipation of activity. The Apostle Paul’s phenomenal success was rooted in the fact that he was not merely goal-driven but compelled to act, at least in part, because of his active prayer…  ( Click for more )

Two recently published studies lend credence to the concerns the church and parents have concerning who their young people spend time with and what they expose themselves to through entertainment. Cataloging the behavior of young people and the influences that helped shape their actions, they corroborate the premise that who teens hang out with can and often does influence their decisions on sex, drugs and alcohol.1These statistics going a long way in reinforcing the Bible’s warning that, “Bad company corrupts good character.”; even as it encourages us to,…  ( Click for more )

Many in our society today question, not so much the person of Jesus – who is too widely accepted as a leading historical figure in one form or another; but questioning – even attacking – the cross. Its function and value declared grotesque and insulting to today’s sensitivities. After all, doesn’t God condemn violence? (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:17-19) How can a loving God then condemn anyone, let alone his own son, to death as a result of sin? (Not realizing it is the depth of his love for us that motivated him to do so. John 3:16)

…  ( Click for more )

In continuing our examination of the lives of Joseph (last week) and now Esther, we are compelled to once again remember Romans 8:28 “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those how love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

ESTHER - A member of the “weaker sex,” yet a strong arm of God and a means of salvation for her people. The story of Esther is recorded in ten short chapters of the Old Testament. Certainly not every incident, circumstance or emotion of her life is recorded but the essentials are…  ( Click for more )

A brief look at the lives of Joseph and Esther – heroes of faith and action – quite effectively illustrate how God’s will can be found in confusing, and even contrary circumstances. Their stories highlighting the fact that we are never promised an easy, problem-free life as believers; in fact, just the opposite. Jesus assuring us of an exchange of better things for the good we may be required to give up in following him, reminding us of the fact of his persecution, which would only reasonably lead to the same for those choosing to follow in his foot- steps.…  ( Click for more )

One of the more pervasive ideals of American society has been that of rugged individualism, where all an individual needs is to be left to his own devices to succeed. We especially don’t believe we need anyone advising us as to what to do – let alone how to do it – nor where or why. Which simply is not true. We all need companionship, help and encouragement and are lesser beings without it; particularly in spiritual matters. We must stay connected to the source of our worship; which won’t happen if we’re aloof and non-involved. Scripture emphasizing…  ( Click for more )

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,…” This includes your educational endeavors! Some people believe education and religion don’t mix, espousing the confused notion that, ‘Ignorance is bliss’, ‘All I need to know is what I know’, ‘What I don’t know won’t hurt me’; all of which tend to be cop-outs, embracing the idea that people can’t be expected to address a problem they know nothing about, (even if it is an intentional ignorance) and fosters a certain…  ( Click for more )

This type of scripture makes me uncomfortable. The assurance of Luke 6:21, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”; doing little to calm my feelings of unease. Upon further reflection however, I find that the problem – as it usually does – lies solely within me. Because quite frankly, coming to terms with the fact that my faith isn’t necessarily designed to bring me earthly joy but eternal security is difficult for me. I expect more than that, I want to be happy all the time; all my difficulties – if any should inadvertently…  ( Click for more )

Philosophers, theologians and evangelists have long insisted that there is a God-space in us all, seeking satisfaction in a relationship with the Almighty. All over the world, man has identified and worshipped God or gods in various ways; expressing a universal need to understand the unexplainable, searching for a place in the grand scheme of things, finding answers and alleviating doubts concerning the after-life – coming to terms with something or someone greater than ourselves. The question being: Has man created God in his own image or did God create man in His? …  ( Click for more )

Do you ever get frustrated by what appears to be a lack of response from God to your sometimes dire circumstances? Does it seem like you’re constantly asking for help, pleading for direction, begging for a way out of indecision or difficulty? That just may be the problem. Or maybe you have it all figured out, your plans finalized in your own mind and are just waiting for God to sign off on them, enabling you to feel empowered and right in your decisions. That’s a problem too. For God cannot be badgered into revealing – or changing – his will for our…  ( Click for more )

To understand this admonition fully we should define what it means to be yoked. Webster defines it as the harnessing together of two individual creatures to fulfill a job. The yoke being a farming apparatus that fits over a pair of animals’ necks, combining their strength to accomplish a goal, creating a condition of control. The question being – Whose? He who puts the yoke in place, the two no longer choosing their separate ways but being directed – through the yoke – to a single purpose. The two now being united or bound to a common cause for a…  ( Click for more )

The first mention of Saul – later to be known as Paul – is found in Acts 7:58, witnessing and approving the stoning of Stephen. Which was merely the start of a “great persecution” of the newly established church in Jerusalem. (Acts 8:1) To avoid it’s savagery, many believers fled to the surrounding countryside and cities. (Acts 9:1) Luke reintroducing Saul into the narrative by noting the “murderous threats” he was making against those who belonged to the Way and his desire to go to Damascus, with the High Priests blessing, to capture…  ( Click for more )

How’s that? I understand and applaud a God who, “…will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel…” (2 Thessalonians 1:8) But why judge me – a Christian – at all, let alone first? Amos gives us a clue as to why God would hold anyone to a higher standard. Like the Israelites of old, we have been chosen, not on our own merit but on God’s ability to redeem and use us in spite of ourselves. To us has been revealed the God of the universe, whom we now represent to the world. (1 Peter 2:9) We should know…  ( Click for more )

Grace is like a multi-hued flower, with various shades of color revealed when we examine it closely. The first thing that comes to mind in any discussion of grace is usually the quality of unmerited favor or mercy, the undeserved acceptance of sinful beings by a Being who has no tolerance of sin (“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong.” Habakkuk 1:3) but who none-the-less loves sinners. (Demonstrating or expressing that love by giving himself for us, even before we acknowledged him or accepted his offer of salvation. See Romans 5:8)…  ( Click for more )

Only in part, the scripture referenced here fully rendered asking, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?” It continues by cautioning against self-deception – ‘God made me this way’ – ‘A loving God wants us all to be happy’; in whatever condition we place ourselves – and defines what God deems wicked; sexual immorality of the heterosexual and homosexual variety, thieves, the greedy, drunks, slanderers and swindlers. (1 Corinthians 6:9,10) Romans 1:29 expanding this definition to include…  ( Click for more )

Author Mark Galli recently wrote a book titled, “Jesus Mean and Wild”; the secondary title piquing my interest no less than the first – “The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God.”1The reason being that I have felt for some time that Jesus’ story has suffered from some serious editing; many making of him an always understanding, forever patient, never demanding fairy tale character. When in fact, the hero of scripture is understanding, patient, kind and forgiving but almost as often angry, demanding, and at times somewhat confusing; a dynamo who…  ( Click for more )

The concepts of mercy and grace are cornerstones of the Christian faith; salvation, in part, depending on them. But does the spiritual attribute of mercy have anything to do with our personal relationships with others? We know Jesus, “…came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 9:10 He did so by becoming the substitutionary sacrifice for our sin; offering forgiveness and heaven in exchange for a recognition of need, acknowledgement of responsibility and repentance of sin. But to what extent does being merciful apply to us? We certainly can’t…  ( Click for more )

Although Saul was a “godly” man, according to his own understanding and definition of godliness, it took an intervening act of grace to actually bring him to a correct and genuine acknowledgement of God. An undeserved act of favor, mercy and grace interjected into the life of an arrogant, self-satisfied Pharisee; which drove him to his knees in sorrow, wonder and joy that he could possibly be used to proclaim the message of salvation to others.

His overwhelming sense of thankfulness and joy – and to be honest his previous education, innate…  ( Click for more )

Songs and liturgy have always been used to reinforce ideals. Some are better at it than others; while some we recite without consideration. ‘Holiness’1 is a praise song with the unique capability of teaching and inspiring if we pay attention and let it.

Verse 1 starts out with, ‘Holiness, holiness is what I long for.’ Do you? Longing is defined as strong yearning or earnest wishful-ness. Scripture characterizes it as hungering and thirsting (Matthew 5:6), as if the object of our longing were of great worth; able to sustain us or impart life.…  ( Click for more )