There is something about Jesus which both incites and invites friction. From the beginning of His sojourn on earth, His presence created situations which proved uncomfortable in the lives of those orbiting His life. For instance, His mother Mary was forced to deal with the uncomfortable story of her rather unusual pregnancy. Remember, she lived in an era and culture…
I find it interesting that Jesus, when answering the question posed by His disciples about the end of the age (Matthew 24:3-4), spoke without hesitation about how things were going to coalesce at the end of the age in which you and I live. It’s almost as if Jesus knew how our headlines were going to read! Before looking at…
At first blush, Ahaz was presented with a proposition at which many would salivate. “Ask any sign you wish from God” (Isaiah 12:11). His response sounds, on the surface, to be spiritual and noble. “No! I will not ask nor tempt the Lord” (Isaiah 12:12). Don’t let yourself get caught up in his immediate answer. Ahaz was not being super-spiritual,…
Imagine living in a city, surrounded by a society, which was totally contrary to everything godly. You and I are upset at the way our nation is, to borrow a term from jurist Robert Bork’s book, “Slouching Toward Sodom.” What would we do were we to wake up and find ourselves no longer slouching toward the cesspool of Sodom, but…
Does the passing of the “Equality Act” by a Democrat House of Representatives make you feel uneasy? Does the statement of Jerry Nadler, Congressman from New York, “What any religious tradition describes as God’s will is no concern of this Congress,”[1] sound to you like the government of the United States is now declaring war on God? You and I…
Where have the Statesmen gone? What’s a Statesman, you ask? A Statesman is a leader who possesses the following qualities, at least according to Brett and Kate McKay in their article appropriately titled “The 4 Qualities of a True Statesman.” First, they have a bedrock of core principles. Second, they possess a moral compass. Third, they have a vision. …
Isaiah 2:4 He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah saw a day when the world powers dominating the headlines would come to their senses and bow their knees to…
Confronted by a totally new experience, Joshua made an expression which fits our current situation. Telling Israel how to proceed, the newly minted leader said to his tribe, “You have never passed this way before” (Joshua 3:4). I am sure every person reading these words can identify with that assessment. Just as Israel had never confronted the circumstances in which…
One of the issues we must put to rest if we are going to Serve God In Baal’s Shadow involves getting over the idea everything must be precisely as we think necessary in order to effectively serve Jesus. The hero of the story related in 2 Kings 4: 42-44 (I have assigned him the name Earl) lived in a town…
I made a couple of mistakes this week. First, I read The Insanity of God by Nik Ripkin. This book was recommended to me by Pastor Steve Molton. I want to say “thanks” to Pastor. Nothing like having your heart torn apart by realizing how small and petty one can be about serving Jesus! If you are curious, I challenge…
