Our Good Shepherd Revealed to Lowly Shepherds
A Study on Heaven's "Big Birth Announcement" in Luke 2:8-20!...
The Test on November 4th: How a Presidential Election Will Reveal Our Belief in God’s Sovereignty
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were all given a test before King Nebuchadnezzar: worship the king’s gods and live or don’t worship them and die (Daniel 3:13-15). Without hesitation, the trio responded with their allegiance to the one true God. They knew He was still sovereign whether He delivered them from the fiery furnace or not (3:16-18)......
The Law of Love Part II: Showing Love in a Secular Society
In my previous post, we looked at how Christians should respond to other believers who differ in matters of conscience (e.g. wearing face masks, getting vaccines, etc.). We saw that we don’t use our freedom in these matters as an opportunity for division or pride, but rather to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). We demonstrate love to one another by putting other’s interests above our own (Philippians 2:3-4). And so the law of love trumps division over differences of opinion on these issues. But how do we as believers respond to the world which differs from us (and not just in matters of conscience)? How do we glorify God in our response to a world that is often hostile to the church?...
The Law of Love Part I: Unity in Diversity in the Church
The world is in turmoil right now. At the forefront of the uproar are the matters surrounding the coronavirus and justice. Camps have formed on these issues with gaping chasms dividing opinions. To further complicate matters, everything is politicized. Wearing a mask in public, posting certain slogans on social media, agreeing or disagreeing with the president or governor all automatically place you into a particular camp....
The Weight of Glory
It is easy to overlook beautiful truths that can change our lives as we read the Bible. We may miss these truths because we are distracted or are so familiar with the text or simply because we don’t understand it. Or it could be that there is another incredible truth that we focus on that causes us to miss the other truth in the same passage. This is what happened to me as I read John 12:25-26...
You and I Are Part of the “Them”: Curbing Our Judging of the Culture
They do wrong and evil. They know it and yet keep doing it. They even give approval to others who do it. This is Paul’s point in Romans 1:32: They do wrong. They know it’s wrong. They even condone such wrongs. If I were to discuss this with the average Christian, who would they think I was describing? Them. The culture. The world......
Comfort in the Coronavirus Crisis - Part II: The Sovereign God Who is Here
In my previous post , we looked at how trusting in the sovereignty of God leads to great comfort. He holds all things together (Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:2-3) and works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11). In these truths, we find great comfort in any circumstance. But we don’t only have a God who is in control; we have a God who is here with us. In today’s post, we will consider four comforting truths of how the sovereign God is with us in our circumstances....
Your Prayers Are Too Small
People often view prayer in simplistic terms: Prayer is about telling God what you want and waiting for Him to give it to you. Sure, you thank Him when He does what you want, and you give Him praise to make sure He’s listening, but prayer is a magic formula to make your life better and satisfy your desires. This popular conception runs into problems when your prayers aren’t answered the way you expect them to be. The question becomes what went wrong. Was God not listening? Was your faith too weak? Is God punishing you? ...
Comfort in the Coronavirus Crisis - Part I: The Sovereign God Who is in Control
The coronavirus crisis has infected us with a myriad of what if questions. What if my elderly parents contract the disease? What if my high-risk wife gets sick? What if my kids catch it? What if I lose my job? What if I have to close my business and claim bankruptcy? What if a loved one dies? What if I die? ...
Biblical Fasting in a New Year
Here we are between two of our most celebrated holidays. One holiday is based on a holy day, the birth of Christ. Another holiday is based on the last day of the calendar year, New Years Eve. This is the time of the year where we usually reflect on the year past and focus on the year ahead. The idea of a new year brings a sense of a new beginning. The new calendar inspi...
Keep ReadingThe Test on November 4th: How a Presidential Election Will Reveal Our Belief in God’s Sovereignty
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were all given a test before King Nebuchadnezzar: worship the king’s gods and live or don’t worship them and die (Daniel 3:13-15). Without hesitation, the trio responded with their allegiance to the one true God. They knew He was still sovereign whether He delivered them from the fiery furnace or not (3:16-18)......
Keep ReadingThe Law of Love Part II: Showing Love in a Secular Society
In my previous post, we looked at how Christians should respond to other believers who differ in matters of conscience (e.g. wearing face masks, getting vaccines, etc.). We saw that we don’t use our freedom in these matters as an opportunity for division or pride, but rather to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). We demonstrate love to one another by putting othe...
Keep ReadingThe Law of Love Part I: Unity in Diversity in the Church
The world is in turmoil right now. At the forefront of the uproar are the matters surrounding the coronavirus and justice. Camps have formed on these issues with gaping chasms dividing opinions. To further complicate matters, everything is politicized. Wearing a mask in public, posting certain slogans on social media, agreeing or disagreeing with the president or governor ...
Keep ReadingThe Weight of Glory
It is easy to overlook beautiful truths that can change our lives as we read the Bible. We may miss these truths because we are distracted or are so familiar with the text or simply because we don’t understand it. Or it could be that there is another incredible truth that we focus on that causes us to miss the other truth in the same passage. This is what happened to me ...
Keep ReadingYou and I Are Part of the “Them”: Curbing Our Judging of the Culture
They do wrong and evil. They know it and yet keep doing it. They even give approval to others who do it. This is Paul’s point in Romans 1:32: They do wrong. They know it’s wrong. They even condone such wrongs. If I were to discuss this with the average Christian, who would they think I was describing? Them. The culture. The world......
Keep ReadingComfort in the Coronavirus Crisis - Part II: The Sovereign God Who is Here
In my previous post , we looked at how trusting in the sovereignty of God leads to great comfort. He holds all things together (Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:2-3) and works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11). In these truths, we find great comfort in any circumstance. But we don’t only have a God who is in control; we have a God who is here ...
Keep ReadingYour Prayers Are Too Small
People often view prayer in simplistic terms: Prayer is about telling God what you want and waiting for Him to give it to you. Sure, you thank Him when He does what you want, and you give Him praise to make sure He’s listening, but prayer is a magic formula to make your life better and satisfy your desires. This popular conception runs into problems when your prayers are...
Keep ReadingComfort in the Coronavirus Crisis - Part I: The Sovereign God Who is in Control
The coronavirus crisis has infected us with a myriad of what if questions. What if my elderly parents contract the disease? What if my high-risk wife gets sick? What if my kids catch it? What if I lose my job? What if I have to close my business and claim bankruptcy? What if a loved one dies? What if I die? ...
Keep Reading