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The Necessity of Good Works
Talk is cheap. Or so said T. C. Halliburton (and presumably others in various forms throughout the ages). The Apostle James would agree, especially in matters of the Christian faith. Anyone can claim faith as a belief in God. Even sound doctrinal statements earn the support of demons (James 2:19). But who will give evidence of their faith by their works? The surety of…
Peace Against Protest
How does God respond to protest? Sometimes the Christian response to protest seems aligned more to Metallica’s statement of parabellum (“To secure peace is to prepare for war, so be it, settle the score…don’t tread on me”) than to a biblical framework of reconciliation. Since the beginning, the nations raged “against the LORD and against his Anointed (Ps. 2:2),” as…
Sin Coverer
Greetings on this fine rainy day. It’s that time again. So, let’s dive deeper into applying the word of God from Sunday. One of the most glorious themes in the bible is God’s covenant of righteousness. Through his righteousness, God covers over the sins of those who confess their sin. Divinely covered sin produces great joy in those forgiven. Psalm 32:1 Blessed is…
Prayer
I pray this post finds you walking in step with the Spirit in whom you live (Galatians 5:25). A mark of walking in the Spirit is being led by prayer as the act of communion with God. Prayer exhibits our relationship to God. Prayer exhibits our dependence on God. And prayer reveals our love and care for the people of God and the people of the world. In this way, we follow…
Living in the Hope of the Resurrection
Being Easter weekend, there was so much content between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. I’d encourage you to call to mind something true that impacted you and work through how to apply it deeper. One principle that has occurred to me this week that I didn’t delve into over the weekend is how the cross and the resurrection give us a wholly new orientation to…
Walking by Faith
Good morning, A lot has changed in less than a week. In the period of a few days we received “eviction” notice from new owners, held our last service at Amber’s, and moved all our equipment into storage. We have been pursuing any and all options but nothing substantial has opened up to us. I am reminded of two passages. First, a single verse from…
Psalm 73 – A Devotional
Have you ever wondered why unbelievers, the wicked, the unrighteous seem to prosper and those who name the name of Jesus as their Savior seem to struggle? Be honest. You are not alone. It is a question as old as mankind. Job, who suffered the loss of everything in his life, asked “Why do the wicked grow old and increase in power?” Jeremiah, the suffering servant,…
Why Doctrine Matters: Love the Lord Your God with all Your Mind
My sister is currently slogging her way through her medical rotations as she learns her way to a medical degree that she might be able to legally practice medicine and be declared, “Doctor.” Doctors pursue medicine for a variety of different reasons but all have, at least to some…
A Lecture-Free Life: Confronting Our Sin
Several years ago, while driving through Minnesota, I came across a billboard for a dental office that offered “Lecture-free Dentistry.” Underneath those three words was a slogan regarding this lecture-free dental office. My first thought was “there is no way I am going there!” I don’t know what your experiences with the dental office are, but the only lectures I have…
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff is the title of a little book by Richard Carlson. It is a collection of 100 short essays that give practical advice on how to keep the small irritations of life from driving you crazy and suggestions on how to live a more peaceful, less stressful life by putting things in perspective. I thought it was a catchy, appropriate title that captures…
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