Why do you keep on saying that I am your Lord, when you refuse to do what I say? (Luke 6:46 CEV) Disobedience to God is never a wise choice. I am a former schoolteacher. I once had a principal who had students repeatedly in his office for misbehaving in the classroom. His favorite saying […]
Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! (Psalms 85:10 NLT) Jesus always moved in lovingkindness and truth. When you elevate either love or truth above the other, you always distort the character of God. In July of 1967, the Beatles released the song “All You Need is Love.”It had a […]
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. (Romans 7:18 ESV) That famous folk philosopher, Bob Dylan, once wrote, “If you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose.” It is […]
Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. (1 Chronicles 12:32 ESV) We have a global pandemic, political views challenging our democratic ideals and changing cultural mores challenging our fundamental religious and moral values. Is there ever a […]
Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. (1 Kings 11:1-2c ESV) In […]
Now David’s heart troubled him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 2 Samuel 24:10 (NASB1995) David understood and was ready to embrace […]
Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Have relations with your father’s concubines, whom he has left behind to take care of the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.” (2 Samuel 16:21 NASB) Young Absalom did just […]
“The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” (Psalms 11:3 NLT) In a time of great need, David made a proclamation of faith. He said, there is a God in Heaven. He said this because in his life on Earth there did not appear to be one. I recently found […]
I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. (Ephesians 3:13 NIV) The Apostle Paul was familiar with suffering, yet he seems to be more concerned with how his trials might affect other believers rather than the consequences to himself. Paul wrote the book from prison, […]
“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord[ have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:14 NIV) As Joshua faced the man in this story, most commentators believe none other than the […]