Throughout scripture God’s people have chosen hope as a strength building virtue. Hope is not optimism. It isn’t a wish. Nor is it a fantasy. Hope is a choice to see the future according to the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises. Hope is confident trust that God will perform the promises in His word regardless of the present …
Pure or Impure: The Choice is Ours
The Old Covenant beliefs were frequently faced with the possibility of becoming “impure” or “unclean” before God. Many things could create this state of uncleanness, like touching a dead body, or having open sores. In the condition of uncleanness, they were disqualified from certain rights and privileges relating to association with others and to temple worship. In like manner, New …
Back to Basics
Ever since I first heard the truth of God’s Word, my desire has been to share it with as many people as I can. Clearly, the best way for each of us to do that is to both live and speak that truth, like Jesus did. The first step in doing that is to know the truth. Titus 1:1“Paul, a …
Crouching Sin… Redeeming Savior
Genesis 4:6,7Then Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” This is one of the most enlightening dialogues recorded …
Truth in Troubled Times
From the moment Adam and Eve chose their own way over God’s way in the Garden of Eden, difficulty and pain have been an unyielding component in the story of humanity. Sin impacted all of creation, introducing suffering and damaging everything from our personal relationships to nature itself. The effects of sin can be felt in our lives today, manifesting …
Don’t Fear Religious People … WIN THEM!
In the past few weeks, I’ve had the blessing of guest speaking at some local non-denominational churches. These small local assemblies are full of people with a genuine love for God and a desire to know the Bible more fully. At each church, people approached me afterwards to either ask questions or to offer positive comments about the message I’d …
God’s Witness to His Witnesses
As Christians, we are given the task, privilege, and honor of being witnesses for God. We are to share His Word and His love with the world, leading others to Him and introducing them to His grace and mercy. But, how often do we take the time to consider what God is saying to His witnesses? What does He have …
Freedom in Christ
This month the United States of America will celebrate July 4th in remembrance of the ratification of our Declaration of Independence. Both in the preamble and the epilogue they acknowledge the Creator God as the both the author and protector of freedom. It was their reliance upon God that gave them the courage to take their stand and declare truth …
A Nation Founded On Truth
Here in the United States, this Tuesday will be our nation’s 247th birthday, and as Christians, we have the opportunity to reflect on our birth and life as a nation. The United States of America is the only nation in the world that was founded on a creed. Other nations were founded on the basis of common ancestry, geographic boundaries, or …
Righteous or Self-Righteous
Righteousness in the Bible carries two essential meanings. First, it is the state of being right according to God’s standards. The other meaning carries the sense of having been declared not guilty. One who is declared not guilty, is not of necessity living righteously. Throughout the Bible, God declared many people righteous, but it is through faithfulness to live according …
