THE SPIRITUAL BATTLEGROUND
We often think of battle in a physical sense. Wars between nations or people groups. But there is a very real spiritual battle taking place every day, and it is located closer than we think. Understanding the where, may help us to gain greater perspective into the conflict we see around us, noticing the spiritual element.
BALANCE IS KEY
Balance. It is a key to life. Whether we are talking about what we eat or simply the ability to stand, balance is key. And it is particularly important when we come to the Scriptures. Many doctrines require a balanced approach. Too far one direction and we are in legalism. Too far the other and we abuse grace. The same is true as we come to Ephesians 6 this coming Sunday and begin to discuss spiritual warfare. We must keep…
REVENGE – A DISH BEST NEVER SERVED
Revenge. A dish best served cold. Or so the saying goes. Reading from the book of Proverbs however, we find that it is a dish best NEVER served at all. Rather, we are called to entrust these hurts, these acts of evil against us unto the Lord. What are we instead called to and is there perhaps a greater purpose? We’ll explore that today.
ROLL IT ONTO GOD?
That’s a strange title right? I know. What am I supposed to “roll”? Am I playing a game of ball with God. No. But that is the literal meaning of a word from Proverbs 16 today as we focus on one verse and the importance of being dependent upon him.
WHAT ARE YOU INVESTING IN?
I am always amazed at how God pieces various things together. Particularly as I prepare messages and vlogs. This one is especially true. As I was reading through Proverbs and then saw a commercial (separate days), the two fit so well with this email I received today. Let’s consider our investments, spiritually that is.
A SOWER WENT OUT
As I was reading an article today about the number of churches that close each year in America, my thoughts turned to two simple words: “went out”. While used variously, they are an important part of the movement of the gospel as we see them in the New Testament. And they are a call to action for the church as well today in light of an immense field of souls before us.
UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONDING BIBLICALLY TO SEXUAL IDENTITY
I thought it pertinent today to share a couple of videos I’d watched recently given that the month of June is Pride Month in the United States celebrating LGBTQIA+. These two videos explore the issue from a biblical standpoint. The first asks where do we ground our identity and what is the proper foundation for it. The second looks at how we view it through biblical eyes and having a heart for the gospel. Videos included in this vlog are…
THE WAYS OF THE LORD ARE WISE NOT FOOLISH
I’ve heard it and seen it written various times that believing in the Lord and the ways prescribed in his Word are foolish. Interestingly, I was in Proverbs 3 today and Solomon writes in direct contrast to that. And we find it not only there but also in Ecclesiastes 12. In light of what our nation is celebrating this month, it is all the more a call to understand the wisdom of the Lord and of us to proclaim that…
TRAINING BECAUSE OTHERS DEPEND ON IT
In the military, training is not only to defeat an enemy or help you personally in a situation, but also to help your fellow soldiers. In the church, our gathering times are in a sense a training grounds. We often approach those gathers with a mindset of what’s in it for me personally. Based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and what we’re going through in Ephesians, I’d encourage you that our times are training so that we might be equipped to…
PRAISE THE LORD FOR IT IS GOOD
I was reading through Psalm 147 today and was simply impressed and encouraged by several verses. Today’s vlog is just sharing my thoughts and some encouragements from those verses.
LIVING WITHOUT AUTHORITY
Living with no authority has serious consequences for our lives. I’m talking specifically about the authority of God. We see that with the nation of Israel in Judges where in chs. 17, 18, 19, & 21 we see the same phrase repeated: “Israel had no king.” The author sandwiches the last part of the book with the phrase: “they did what was right in their own eyes.” Even as Christians we have a tendency to do this? How might you…
TIME FOR GOD’S GOSPEL AGENDA
My wife and I share a calendar on Google in order to keep our schedules in order. We admit that we are busy people with ministry, work, children, and giving to our community. We live in a busy world. As we think on the time that each and every one of us has each day, do we think about God’s agenda for us? This video hits at the heart of our idols that we talked about earlier this week &…
DIVIDED AFFECTIONS
So much is calling us today to worship it. If we are not careful, we can end up with divided affections and chasing after idols as Israel did. We’re in Judges today looking at some sad news about how a nation that had witnessed the mighty hand of God turned from him. It’s a spiritual plight that we are not immune to.
VIEW OF SEXUALITY REVEALS VIEW OF GOD
A Pew Research poll found that nearly 1/3 of Protestants believe that casual sex is sometimes or always okay between consenting adults. They also found a direct correlation between that statistic and church attendance. Join us today as we address this issue and continue our discussion the sermon on Ephesian 5 this past Sunday.
FALLING IN LOVE
In 1961, Elvis Presley released his hit single “Can’t Help Falling In Love”. Falling in love. It’s a common phrase that we use when talking about relationships and how we have moved from friends to the next level of seriousness. But it has also become an excuse for why believers are dating and have married unbelievers. While love does conjure and appeal to our emotions, it is also an action. Continuing the subject of Sunday’s sermon, let’s look at Ephesians…
#ASKPD: JUDGMENT IN JOSHUA
As I was reading through Joshua 11-12 today, I noticed a phrase that I have seen in the New Testament. Pondering on that for a moment, it helps us to answer the question about why see the drastic measures of God’s wrath in the Old Testament, particularly as Israel enters the land. Take a moment to watch and consider.
IF THE LORD HAD NOT BEEN ON OUR SIDE
I am struck by the beginning words of Psalm 124. It speaks of God’s compassion, his proactiveness, his omnipotence, his care, his steadfast character, his goodness. And as I read the words of this psalm, though written concerning David’s time and the nation of Israel, I cannot help but think where we would be without the Lord.
FREE DIRECTIONS FOR LIFE
I love the map app on my phone that gives me free directions to the various places I need to get to. I really appreciate it when I get lost. There is a different source though that gives us even more important directions and it too provides them free of charge. It’s the Bible. And this directions are for life.
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS…
As I read through Psalm 118 today, I was caught by the fact that it is bookended by the same exact words. As the psalmist writes down everything in between, he proves the point is introduces and concludes with. Indeed we should give God thanks for he is…
COMING ALONGSIDE ONE ANOTHER (PART 2)
We’re continuing to explore that subject of coming alongside one another from Galatians 6:2 with five more observations today. This is an important ministry of the church that we are to have to and with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.