Subscription Lists

Asserting in pride and in arrogance of heart: “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with smooth stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars." Therefore the LORD raises against them adversaries – Isaiah 9:9b-11a

Ugly often works better. Though my current service dog is a purebred Golden Labrador, some of the best dogs I have ever owned have been Heinz-57 mutts. In my experience, the best trucks are the beat up old rust pots that just never say die. The M-16A2 is a beautifully precise rifle. But if you even think…  ( Click for more )

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these. – 2 Timothy 3:1-5

A group of American soldiers planned the rape and death of a young Iraqi girl. In the process, they…  ( Click for more )

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34

I once counseled a person who was completely disabled by worry. He was so concerned about germs, nuclear war, global warming, terrorists and earthquakes that he could no longer leave his house. He barely got out of bed because he was afraid that he would slip and fall. The only thing that caused him to get into the shower was the fear that the dirt would allow germs to proliferate and lead to his impending doom.

Some people believe that fish have…  ( Click for more )

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; he had two horns like a lamb, but he sounded like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast on his behalf and compels the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth before people. - Revelation 13:11-13 HCSB

One of the most frightening trends I see in Christianity today is the tendency to emphasize the emotional and experiential aspects of religious awe. I find this terrifying because…  ( Click for more )

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; he had two horns like a lamb, but he sounded like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast on his behalf and compels the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth before people. - Revelation 13:11-13 HCSB

I have lived in many countries and thus, have been privileged to witness many cultures. Every one of them was religious. As a matter of fact, there is no such thing as an atheistic…  ( Click for more )

But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted from a complete and pure devotion to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 11:3 HCSB

Snakes have long been a problem for humans. A cunning, articulate snake was our undoing in the Garden of Eden. [1] In the Negev, poisonous snakes (probably the saw-scale viper) were sent as a judgment against the people of Israel’s grumbling.[2]

Isaiah referred twice[3] to “flying” or fleeing[4] serpents as part of a description of judgment or devastation. He then predicted that on the Day of…  ( Click for more )

Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful fawn--let her breasts always satisfy you; be lost in her love forever. - Proverbs 5:18-19 HCSB

A couple once went through a struggle in their marriage. They had been together for ten years, yet without having a child. As time went on, the barrenness became a larger and larger issue in their minds, until finally they were arguing constantly. They didn’t argue about this principle issue but it was the subconscious underlying problem. They picked at all kinds of little things,…  ( Click for more )

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves. – 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (NASB)

A man in the Corinthian church was sleeping with his father’s wife and the whole community knew about it. Instead of sorrowfully dealing with the incestuous relationship with the strict vigor required by a holy and righteous God, the church members had arrogantly prided themselves on their “grace” and “understanding”.

Paul…  ( Click for more )

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. – Genesis 1:26-27 (NASB)

God’s original intent was for humanity to bear His image and to be in communion with the Godhead. We see what made that essential difference in humanity’s creation. In Genesis[1],…  ( Click for more )

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” But this He spoke of the Spirit… John 7:38-39a

One day a group of missionaries journeyed into northern Chad in order to reach a particular group of people. The trip took them into some of the most arid and intimidating territory that brutal country has. It is said that Land Rovers and Jeeps go to this area to commit suicide. The temperatures routinely reach 120 degrees in the shade (when you can find it), so water was running short and tongues began to thicken.…  ( Click for more )

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same resolve--because the One who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin-- in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God's will. For there has already been enough time spent in doing the will of the pagans: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. In regard to this, they are surprised that you don't plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation--and they slander you. They will give an account…  ( Click for more )

On that same day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. And all the men of his household--both slaves born in his house and those purchased with money from a foreigner--were circumcised with him. Then the LORD appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre while he was sitting in the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day. – Genesis 17:26-18:1 HCSB

God came to 99-year-old Abraham and in essence told him, “Listen, I’m going to do right by you and take care of you. There’s this one thing I need you to do however…”

I can imagine…  ( Click for more )

A Davidic hymn. I exalt You, my God the King, and praise Your name forever and ever. I will praise You every day; I will honor Your name forever and ever. Yahweh is great and is highly praised; His greatness is unsearchable. One generation will declare Your works to the next and will proclaim Your mighty acts. I will speak of Your glorious splendor and Your wonderful works. They will proclaim the power of Your awe-inspiring works, and I will declare Your greatness. - Psalm 145:1-6 HCSB

I have the tremendous privilege of coming from a long line of God’s children. Many in…  ( Click for more )

For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself--a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. - 1 Timothy 2:5-6 HCSB

People who turn to the spirits of the dead for help are cursed and on the edge of destruction.[1]The Bible is clear in stating that we should not fabricate objects upon which we focus veneration.[2] Offering sacrifices to the dead, like burning incense or candles, in order to appease them and get them to consider our requests, is also forbidden.[3]

The prohibition is wide ranging in its application.…  ( Click for more )

A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master. It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house 'Beelzebul,' how much more the members of his household! "Therefore, don't be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won't be uncovered, and nothing hidden that won't be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops. Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able…  ( Click for more )

And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ's fullness. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head--Christ.…  ( Click for more )

The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. - Proverbs 18:17 HCSB

Many years ago, an old saint was in the habit of going around asking people for money. He wouldn’t say what it was for – like a little kid he would simply ask for the change in people’s pockets. After a while, the people in his village grew tired of him asking for their money.

“He doesn’t even need it!” they would whisper to each other behind his back. “I mean, it’s not like he’s rich, but he’s not poor either.…  ( Click for more )

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. - 2 Timothy 2:2 HCSB

“I don’t need to attend church.” Some claim. “I can stay home and read my Bible. The Holy Spirit Himself teaches me.” They’ll even quote, “The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don't need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you, remain in Him.”[1]

However, just…  ( Click for more )

Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman). They said, "Does the LORD speak only through Moses? Does He not also speak through us?" And the LORD heard it. Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth. Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "You three come out to the tent of meeting." So the three of them went out. - Numbers 12:1-4 HCSB

God is concerned about decency and order.[1] Since the very first act of worship, God has always wanted things done…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!" And Jesus responded, "Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:16-19 HCSB

One of the first times “qahal”[1]Israel…  ( Click for more )

Does any of you who has a complaint against someone dare go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels--not to speak of things pertaining to this life? So if you have cases pertaining to this life, do you select those who have no standing in the church to judge? I say this to your shame! Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who will be able to arbitrate between his brothers?…  ( Click for more )

In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined,…  ( Click for more )

“The Lord demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard.” – Proverbs 16:11

Quentin O’Connor, the noted lawyer, died and went to heaven. He had no sooner gotten inside the Pearly Gates when a tremendous chorus of angels began to sing gloriously in his honor. The air was filled with a golden aura, clouds of incense wafted everywhere, and approaching O’Connor was St. Peter himself.

“O’Connor,” said the celestial gatekeeper, “we have long been awaiting you. You are the first human being ever to break…  ( Click for more )

See, he is pregnant with evil, conceives trouble, and gives birth to deceit. He dug a pit and hollowed it out, but fell into the hole he had made. His trouble comes back on his own head, and his violence falls on the top of his head. - Psalm 7:14-16 HCSB

As the Allies began encroaching on German territory, the Nazis were forced to close their death camps. They desperately worked to move the prisoners by train to other camps, trying to hide their cruelty.

One guard, known for his cruel treatment of Jewish prisoners, seized upon an opportunity to beat one of his hapless victims…  ( Click for more )