John 5.14 records, after this Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “Look, you have become
well. Don’t sin any more, lest anything worse happen to you.”
What could be worse than being paralyzed for 38 years? What could be worse than living in a prison while watching everyone else around you enjoy freedom? Jesus found this prisoner and asked him if he wanted to get well. (more…)
Ecclesiastes 12.13 concludes, having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his
commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
The Bible’s version of the wisest man in the world summarizes his study of the human condition with these words from Ecclesiastes. To summarize Solomon, the chief purpose of humanity is to fear God and obey His commands. Not very sexy. Not very exciting. Not really about me and my wants, needs or desires. Why might this be true regardless of how it makes me feel? (more…)
1 Thessalonians 2.4 describes, we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to
please people but God, Who examines our hearts.
Christians have been commissioned by God to make Him known in the world. This is the purpose for the Church in this world. The Church’s foundation is the declaration of Who Jesus is; the Messiah, the Savior of the world. This declaration is to be the proclamation of all those who acknowledge Jesus as God, Savior and Judge. (more…)
2 Corinthians 12.21 records, I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.
The knock on Christianity from adherents of other religions is the ease by which Christians are able to get to heaven. Christianity is the only religion that claims it’s means to heaven is the receiving of it freely from God as a gift imparted by God’s grace through faith in His love and kindness. (more…)
Luke 16.15 warns, Jesus said to them, you are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, but God knows your hearts.
For what is highly prized among men is utterly detestable in God’s sight.
This statement by God, warning us that what we value He despises, should terrorize us. Now certainly this cant be true in everything. (more…)
Romans 2.24 observes, the Name of God is being blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.
Probably no greater indictment against the Christian could occur than being accused of causing God’s Name to be maligned by non Christians due to their ungodly behavior. God in Jesus expects and warns that His Name will be maligned by non believers. His expectation of this blasphemy is for followers of Jesus living godly lives and proclaiming that faith and allegiance to Jesus alone is necessary for pleasing God will cause the non believers to hate Him and His followers resulting in blasphemy. (more…)
Acts 25.19 describes several points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a man named Jesus who
was dead, whom Paul claimed to be alive.
Herein lies the rub Christianity has with every other religion. The founders of every religion except Christianity are dead and their adherents agree those founders are dead. What separates Christianity from the rest is that it claims Jesus, it’s founder, is not dead but alive having risen from the dead after being crucified by men. (more…)
Hosea 6.3 laments, Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to
us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.
When we think of God what do we think of? Our experience of Him personally combined with our teaching about Him will determine the thoughts we have about God as well as our behavior toward God.
The word God means, He Who is above all, the One Who is to be revered, honored and obeyed because He is perfect, wonderful and responsible for all that is, was or ever will be. Does that definition of God seem congruent with our thoughts about God or our behavior before God? Most likely not. (more…)
Ephesians 3.18 records God’s desire for us to have the power to understand, as all God’s people
should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
Our fundamental need and problem is the lack of love we feel from God, others and ourselves. The Bible is actually a love story. (more…)
Psalm 107.2 asks, has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you
from your enemies.
The need of the hour is for the Church to speak out about God’s redemption. The obviousness of this truth was on full display during the presidential debates. Character, truth, honesty and humility are the result of fearing God and recognizing our accountability to Him. Those who live without regard for their Maker do and say whatever they believe to be best in their own minds. (more…)
Enter your email below to get your free resource, periodic news, and new blog post notifications.
