You’ve no doubt heard that phrase from Nehemiah 8:10, and perhaps sung the catchy song by that title many times, but what is its context, what exactly does it mean, and how do you apply it? John did this simple and most edifying teaching several times on his recent Western trip, and it was so well received that we want …
How Hilarious Are You?
It’s almost the end of yet another calendar year, and thus we are closer than ever to “The Big Snatch,” that is, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to meet all Christians of all time in the air and take us to “the heaven of heavens” and, I think, into the presence of God’s Divine Council, at least to …
No Apology for Your Apologia
Probably more so than I’ve ever seen in my brief 76 years, there is a massive cultural assault on freedom of speech. Why? Because in the spiritual battle raging in the realm beyond our five senses and playing out in the world, the Enemy knows that those promoting his lies cannot defend them in an honest, civil verbal exchange, so, …
Saved to Serve, Seated to Stand, Woke to Walk, Raised to Reign.
A subtitle of this teaching could be Grace Unto Works. Much of the controversy about whether salvation is permanent misses the point that BIRTH and GROWTH are two totally different processes, with the former really being a one-time event. God does not get us “out of the soup” (“death unto life”) just so that we can spend the rest of …
The Truth the Whole Truth and Nothing but The Truth
We’ve all heard those words, either in an actual courtroom or in a TV or movie portrayal, as a witness being sworn in promises to speak only the truth. But let us remember what comes after them, “So help me, God.” And God so values Truth that He will help anyone who is committed to being truth-full (cp. Ps. 51:6). …
Main Event: Logos Versus Muthos
In Acts 17, while hanging out at Athens waiting for his pals Silas and Timbo, the apostle Paul encountered a gaggle of Greek philosophers who spent most of their time “listening to the latest ideas,” not unlike many people today. The way in which Paul masterfully presented God’s Truth to those steeped in paganism and godlessness gives us some keys …
How’s Your Joie de Vivre?
Other than three years of early teen torture at Miss Gates Dancing School, the closest my wonderful parents came to child abuse was subjecting me to five years of French class in elementary school. Hence, I do recall the above French phrase, which literally means “the joy of life.” The dictionary defines it as, “a delight in being alive; keen, carefree enjoyment of living.” Given …
“Are We There Yet?”
Do you remember your youthful family car trip(s) when you voiced those words? I’m guessing that the more you matured, the less often you asked that—partly because you came to realize how far the trip was and how long it would take. But mostly because as you matured, you developed increasing patience. Thus, we see is that patience—the ability to …
Why Are Some People Cross About THE CROSS?
Consider this classic exhortation to us as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ: Hebrews 12:1-3Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the …
A Heaping Helping of Bible Cuisine
It seems that expository, verse-by-verse teachings of sections of the Word of God are too rare in Christendom today. But clearly, for maximum learning and assimilation of His Truth, they are indispensable. Given the God-breathed content, they are also enlightening, stimulating, and provocative. In one way, the Bible reads somewhat like a grocery list, as it speaks of milk, water, …