In our last episode, we laid out a scriptural foundation for how human free will works by considering two Old Testament accounts. First, we looked at Joshua and how he was called upon by God to lead Israel after the death of Moses. His choosing to closely follow God’s direction in this task made him […]
The Bible plainly teaches us that God in His unfathomable wisdom and power has a clear plan for the destiny of ALL humanity. We also know according to 1 Peter 1:20 that His plan for the sacrifice of Jesus was clearly in place even before the earth was created. Now, if God’s plan was clear […]
Are Christians who claim to heal and who claim to speak in tongues operating within the scriptural guidelines of Christianity today, or have they taken a giant step over the line of appropriate Christian behavior? In our last episode, we observed how the Old Testament established healing as an occasional gift and was not necessarily […]
Christianity today is diverse. When you think about it, there should only be one version of the Gospel, and it should be entirely based upon the Bible as a whole, specifically the words and actions of Jesus as well as the words and actions of his apostles and disciples in the New Testament. In many […]
In our last episode, we examined the deep lessons Jesus was teaching his apostles when he appeared to seven of them after his resurrection while they were fishing. His miracle of orchestrating the massive catch of fish was a direct throwback to his fishing miracle three years before, when Simon Peter finally gave up fishing […]
The crucifixion of Jesus was an event that absolutely overwhelmed his apostles and disciples. Even though Jesus had forewarned them of what was coming, they were still taken by complete surprise. In his great wisdom, Jesus arranged his post-resurrection appearances in such a way as to them to show them not only who he was, […]
There are many Bible accounts that have gathered a lot of attention over centuries because of their dramatic content. Cain and Abel, Noah and the Ark and David and Goliath are all powerful and dramatic Old Testament accounts filled with action. Two New Testament are Jesus in the manger and Jesus on the cross. All […]
God is watching over me. God’s got this. The Lord will take care of it. These are all expressions of faith in God’s overruling care for us. While this kind of faith is something we should all strive for, the question remains as to what makes these statements true. Just because I say, “God will […]
Let’s get practical. For most of us, the largest portion of our waking hours is spent working in one way or another to support ourselves and our household. Whether we are in a trade or at a desk, whether we are engaged in a service or retail or farming, building, manufacturing or raising children or […]
At the beginning of his second letter, the Apostle Peter reminded us that God, in His power and love, has graciously given us everything we need to be faithful to the calling of discipleship. This walk of sacrifice is supported by the overwhelming gift of God’s precious and magnificent promises. Peter then tells us that […]
We have arrived! This episode explores the final and highest rung of the Apostle Peter’s “virtue ladder”- agape, the selfless, God‑shaped love that defines the true purpose of Christian character. We walk through how each previous rung—faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self‑control, perseverance, godliness and brotherly kindness—builds the capacity to reach this culminating form of love. […]
The blueprint for Christian character development the Apostle Peter gives us in 2 Peter 1 lays out for us a “ladder” that we as disciples of Christ are to climb. Each rung of this ladder is vital to our ability to be able to progress up to the next rung. As we have focused on […]
The blueprint for Christian character development the Apostle Peter gives us in 2 Peter 1 focuses us on a profound series of steps we need to take in order to be more Christlike. With this blueprint, Peter lays out for us a ladder of Christian character development. As we examine it, we find that each […]
The blueprint for Christian Character development that the Apostle Peter gives us in 2 Peter chapter 1 focuses us on a profound series of steps we need to take in order to be more Christlike. Based upon God’s power and promises, Peter lays out for us the blueprint for a ladder of Christian character development. […]
The blueprint for Christian character development that the Apostle Peter gives us in 2 Peter 1 focuses us on a profound series of steps we need to take in order to be more Christlike. As a basis for this needed growth, we have seen how God’s promises help us to be ready to systematically take […]
In 2 Peter 1, the Apostle Peter laid out a phenomenal blueprint for us to follow regarding the how and why of developing a focused and loyal character that is modeled after Christ. After reminding us of the incomprehensible promises that God brings us through His power and Jesus’ sacrifice, he then focuses us on […]
In 2 Peter chapter 1, the Apostle Peter is laying out a phenomenal blueprint for us to follow regarding the how and why of developing a focused and loyal character modeled after Christ. He begins by reminding us of the majesty and power of God, along with the loyalty and sacrifice of Jesus. He tells […]
The Apostle Peter began his second letter to all Christians by addressing the very formation of our Christian lives. He proceeded to lay out a deep and profound series of character development steps to show us how to completely and wholly grow into mature disciples of Christ. In Part I of this series, we covered […]
The Apostle Peter began his second letter to all Christians by addressing the very formation of our Christian lives. He proceeded to lay out a deep and profound series of character development steps to show us how to completely and wholly grow into mature disciples of Christ. To begin this process, his clear message in […]
As Christians, we love Jesus. All who claim that Jesus is their Lord and Savior do so because they have acknowledged their own sinful state and have realized the power of forgiveness that comes from Jesus’ sacrifice. It is easy for us to fellowship regarding what we have been freely given. What may not be […]
We all love to tell the story of Jesus’ birth. We love the vulnerability behind God’s choice of Mary, the young woman who was engaged to Joseph to be Jesus’ mother. We love the humility of his being born in a stable because there was no room at the inn. We love the magnificence of […]
So, what is the real mission of Christianity? Are we tasked with converting the world? Are we responsible to preach the good news of the gospel wherever we go, to anyone and everyone? Is the eternal destiny of those we come in contact with heavily dependent upon our delivering the message of salvation? All Christians […]
As Christians, we deeply appreciate the price Jesus paid for us to be released from the grip of the sin of Adam. To say that this has given us a new opportunity for life is a dramatic understatement. All we can really do is be profoundly thankful as we diligently follow in his footsteps. One […]
Reading the Bible can be confusing. After all, it is an ancient book of a collection of writings by about 40 people over a 1500-year span that details the plan of God through history, prophecy, parables, laws, observations and life guidance teachings. Some of the accounts of specific individuals featured in the Bible can come […]
If you haven’t noticed, our world in a very big way has lost its grip on the value of gratitude. Instead of having a thankful heart for whatever our opportunities we may have and what we may receive, we seem to double down on living with a sense of entitlement. We can look at this […]
It is said that when Benjamin Franklin was an American Minister in Paris, he spent an evening with a group of intellectuals at a time when literary circles were known for being agnostic or even atheistic. He was called on to contribute to the entertainment and read from what he called a “charming bit of […]
From what the Bible tells us about Enoch, he was an amazingly holy man who lived long before the Flood. To be described as one who “walked with God” is a true testimony of a life well lived. Further, a few lines of the Book of Enoch are actually quoted in the New Testament. With […]
“People should get what they deserve.” I’m guessing that most of us would see this as a general statement of fairness and equity. Of course, for this statement to ring true, we need to agree on who or what ultimately determines what people deserve. On a very basic level, this may sound like karma. So, […]
In our last episode, we spent some time defining exactly what Christian liberty is and what it is not. What we found is that Christian liberty has little to do with the kinds of freedoms that are reflected in a social status kind of way and everything to do with being given spiritual freedom that […]
The freedom, the liberty we obtain when we have been called to be disciples of Jesus is so much more than just a feeling of relief and joy. The fact is, having liberty in Christ actually defines a state of being, as it describes our freedom from whatever previously held us captive in our lives. […]
The Apostle Paul wrote a significant portion of the New Testament. There are 27 different books in the New Testament, and Paul is credited with writing about half of them. For the vast majority of Christians, his writings provide extremely practical teachings and examples for us to build upon the single and solid foundation of […]
If we are serious about our Christianity, then we know that the bottom line of everything in our lives is to be more like Jesus. If we call ourselves disciples of Christ, if we call ourselves his footstep followers, then any and every other objective in life must by definition become secondary. Our last seven […]
All upbuilding and spiritually mature Christian thought and action inevitably have their foundation in Scripture. The Bible gives us clear truth. Just as importantly, it gives us clear direction as to how to apply those clear truths to our lives in practical ways. In 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul teaches us to NOT despise “prophetic […]
God’s spirit—His power and influence—is a power we can’t even begin to comprehend. His spirit was introduced to us as the mighty power of His will in Genesis 1:1-3 as His creative process began with “Let there be light.” This same power and influence is described as taking root in us in Ephesians 1:13 where […]
One of the hallmark attitudes of a focused Christian life is being thankful. The very foundation of our Christian beliefs is the fact that being redeemed from sin and death by the love and sacrifice of Jesus is a gift that is in every case beyond our ability to earn or deserve. We are freely […]
To live a truly dedicated Christian life is to live a life that has a firm grasp on prayer. It is a life that strongly and regularly seeks out God’s will and blessing in all that we do. It also seeks to regularly ask for blessings and providence over the lives of our fellow disciples. […]
A Christian life is supposed to be an energized and fulfilled life. It is supposed to be this way because we have been called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. This means our lives are to be centered around following God’s word and will, regardless of what our circumstances may lay before us. So, when things […]
According to the New Testament, Christians are instructed to work together as a community. Even more than that, we are instructed to care for one another as a family, humbly serve one another and protect one another as soldiers in battle – even to the point of being willing to sacrifice ourselves. All of this […]
Christians are supposed to live lives that reflect godliness every day and in every way. This is not only difficult but frankly looked down upon. Because our world is driven by technology and social media, we are saturated daily with images, commentary, suggestions and pressure to stand for ourselves with pride and conviction. To stand […]
As Christians who are to walk by faith and not by sight, the statements Jesus made about having faith as a mustard seed are sure appealing. In Luke, Jesus says faith like a mustard seed can uproot a tree and toss it into the sea. In Matthew, he said mustard-seed faith can move a mountain […]
As Christians, we all draw great comfort from the promise of Jesus’ return. Just as in his first advent, his presence in his second advent proclaims that God’s plan is not only underway but unbreakable as well. The challenge comes when we as Christians try and comprehend the mechanics and timing of his return. There […]
The man Christ Jesus stands at the center of the faith of hundreds of millions of people. His very existence, along with the words and actions of his life, creates a remarkable tapestry that truly provides a strong foundation for believers. Sometimes questions arise about how and why Jesus did all that he did. Was […]
The teaching Jesus gave to his apostles the night before his crucifixion about him being ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ was a profound foundation that described the path of every true Christian. Jesus as ‘the way’ opened up the opportunity for average, sinful individuals to become acceptable to God through the merit of […]
It seems odd that in our present day of technology and knowledge, it is very difficult to determine the difference between truth and opinion. You’d think it would be just the opposite. Yet here we are, in an environment where we can’t even trust news reports to reveal the whole story. Two-thousand years ago, Jesus […]
On the night before his crucifixion—and just hours before he would begin a night of unjust treatment that would lead to humiliation, beatings and an eventual crucifixion—Jesus invested unhurried and precious hours with his disciples. His aim was to comfort them, as what they were about to witness would shake them all to their very […]
Jesus said, “Many are called but few are chosen” in Matthew 22:14. For many Christians, these words of Jesus should bring a pause and consider moment. What was Jesus saying here? If we believe “God is love,” and we believe Jesus came as our Savior, do we also believe that everyone outside of Christianity, outside […]
Depression can be overwhelming. Even though many people suffer from it, and even though there are treatments and medications that can help it, depression can still be an insurmountable life obstacle for every individual who faces it. There is no easy answer and no miracle cure, so those of us who experience it are left […]
Sinning against the holy spirit means that the sinner deliberately and willfully mocks God and his promises, after having been enlightened by the holy spirit and called to be a Son of God. (See Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26, 29, and 31.) When sin is not deliberate, or against the holy spirit, it is not unpardonable. We […]
Many Christians have had the disheartening experience of feeling like they have lost their connection with God. There you were, going along through life’s experiences, and something happens. Whether it is one big change or many little things over time, you wake up one day and realize God seems far away. Now what? Is it […]
Forty days after his resurrection, when Jesus was about to ascend up to the Father, he gave his disciples their great commission in Matthew 28. He told them to go and “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the son and the holy spirit.” He told them […]
We all know God IS love, and that because He loves His human creation, He sent Jesus to redeem us all from sin and death. We also know Jesus taught us to love our enemies and to pray for those people who despitefully take advantage of us. So, according to the gospel, love is a […]
We have all experienced or heard the conversational question that sometimes gets asked when one person is getting to know another. “So, are you religious?” The response can be a myriad of differing replies, one of which is, “Yeah, I’m a Christian.” That answer usually puts the respondent into the broad and vague category of […]
Deborah stands out as one of the inspiring figures in biblical history. As a prophetess, a judge and courageous leader, she rose above all expectations in a society driven by patriarchal influence. Her story, recorded in Judges 4 and 5, recounts her reliance on divine wisdom, as well as her decisive leadership and unwavering faith […]
Anxiety is an enemy of the heart. When left unchecked, it can take a normally functioning human being and turn them into a second guessing, insecure and trembling mess. In Part I, we talked about how Jesus showed us the depths of damage that anxiety can bring. He also taught us how to process the […]
Anxiety seems to be everywhere, and everyone seems to have it! The good news is it can be a very normal and sometimes healthy part of life. The bad news is more often than not it grows into an oversized burden that can be difficult and even debilitating. When we as Christians have anxiety that […]
What does it mean to be “immortal? In Greek mythology, Zeus, Athena and Apollo were among their immortal gods, those who lived forever and had powerful influence over the mortal world. When someone achieves extraordinary levels of greatness in their field, they are often spoken of as being immortal. In American baseball, Babe Ruth and […]
When examining God’s word as a whole, it quickly becomes evident that Jesus’ resurrection was the most awe-inspiring marker in the entire Bible. This recognition entices us to search out the specific leading Jesus gave to his followers on his first resurrected day. What did our Lord say and do to build a foundation for […]
Of the many experiences Jesus had the night before his crucifixion, his time in the Garden of Gethsemane stands out as a place of contrast and transition. When Jesus and his eleven apostles entered the garden, it was a welcoming place of peace and solitude. He told eight of them to stay together and to […]
In our last episode, we examined how the Old Testament defines the human soul. In that discussion, we saw clear scriptural evidence defining the soul as life on a mortal level. The same Hebrew word for “soul” or “life” was consistently used to describe both animals and humans. Here we will focus on the New […]
Are we as humans innately physical beings or spiritual beings? If physical, then our lives would by definition begin and end based upon their physical, tangible aspects. We would “come to life” when we are biologically alive, and we would cease to exist when our biology ceases to support life. If we are spiritual beings, […]
Jesus plainly tells us in Matthew 7:1 that we are not to judge others. Ah, if only it were that easy! The fact of the matter is, the New Testament gives us many examples of things we are to make judgments about. At first glance, this can sound like a massive contradiction. Don’t judge! Wait; […]
Loving the people we know and appreciate can be hard work in general, never mind loving our enemies. There is so much emotion involved in loving others, and let’s face it, sometimes even those we appreciate can act in ways that cause us aggravation! When it comes to how we are to treat ALL of […]
Human beings are different from all the rest of God’s creation. Of all the creatures on this earth, we were the only ones created “in God’s image.” God was intentional with this, as the human race was meant to be an extension of God’s family here on this planet. He created us as social and […]
In the book of Proverbs, it says a friend loves at all times. So, what does that really mean? Jesus called his followers “friends.” This should give us a sense of its importance. Marriage can and should be between friends. Brotherhood in Christ should be fertile ground for forging deep and powerful friendships. It turns […]
What is the status of promises these days? Has the making of a promise become a simple figure of speech? When we say, “I promise,” are we really saying, “I’m going to try,” or “I really do intend to accomplish what I said I would do”? Have we lost our connection between our promises and […]
In our last episode about God’s vengeance bringing the end of the world as we know it, we examined several Old Testament prophecies that pointed to how God’s vengeance works in the dismantling of all vestiges of our present and sin-ridden world. When these dramatic prophecies are focused on without the context of the rest […]
If we take a look around us, what we see can be confusing. On the one hand, we live in a time where science, technology and medicine are incredibly advanced. Billions of people throughout the world hold the world in their hands with their smart phones. That’s amazing! We are creating artificial intelligence that can […]
The vision on the Mount of Transfiguration was one of those magnificent events in the life of Jesus that gives us some insight into just how remarkable his earthly ministry was. This vision had everything – it had Jesus’ very appearance changed to one of brightness and glory. It had the appearance of two Old […]
There are several scriptures in the Bible that really capture our imaginations. The account of Jonah and the great fish is one, Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind is another. One more of these is the account of the disciple Philip when he was instructed by God to find an Ethiopian man on a […]
Many know the story of Jacob wrestling with an angel. When we just drop in on the account and read what happened, there are many unanswered questions. Why would you pick a fight with an angel anyway? Why would an angel even let you fight? Couldn’t the angel have overwhelmingly defeated Jacob even before the […]
We have all heard the saying, “Life is what you make it!” It is usually at the approach of a new year or a birthday or some landmark life event when we turn our focus inward. We think about changes we would like to make. Normally, these changes are aimed at finding a greater measure […]
When Jesus came to earth 2,000 years ago, he came to pay the price for Adam’s sin by willingly offering himself as a just and equal ransom price to redeem Adam – and therefore the entire human race – from sin and death. To prepare for his coming as a man, God sent the angel […]
Jesus was here 2,000 years ago. His message was clear, as he had come to pay the price for Adam’s sin. He preached, he healed, he called some to follow him, and he gave people hope. Jesus called himself “the way, the truth and the life” and announced that the “kingdom of God was at […]
How does someone become a follower of Christ? Does it begin by becoming curious about this Jesus person and all of the world-changing influence he has? Perhaps we are living in fear and are searching for a kind of security that is different and higher than anything else we know. Maybe we’re overwhelmed with despair in our lives, […]
This may sound like an oversimplification, but we’re going to say it anyway: God is intentional. He always knows what He is doing and what it will eventually lead to. While this knowledge should serve as a great comfort to us, it can, because of our limited and imperfect minds, have the exact opposite effect. […]
Life is forever busy. Whether it’s a holiday season or tax season or baseball season or following this, that and the other influencers on social media, we always have too much to do and not enough time or energy to do it. With all of this being said, how often do we stop and think […]
Doing God’s will should be a given for any and every Christian. After all, the mere fact that we are called “Christians” implies that we follow in Jesus’ footsteps and are therefore obliged to do God’s will as Jesus did God’s will. While this all sounds pretty straightforward, the big question has to do with […]
Every Christian will tell you that Jesus is the embodiment of righteousness, compassion and mercy. We all agree that his impact on the world came through his uncompromising actions of selfless love that led to sacrificing himself as a ransom for all of humanity. Couple these actions with his words of encouragement and uplift to […]
The Old Testament Law given to Moses after Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was filled with rituals and sacrifices. All of this was designed to teach God’s people two very basic principles. These principles are fundamental for any civilization that seeks to perpetuate itself. The first principle is to comply with righteous and just rules that […]
Demons are scary. Not only are they mysterious, but they are also powerful beyond our human capacity. In our last episode, we mentioned scriptures that assure us they are restrained in “chains of darkness.” While this condition does limit them, they can still exert great influence on our world – and on individuals as well. […]
The world is such a confused place. For many, discussing evil spirits is fascinating, as looking into dark mysteries beyond our world can be a thrilling and adrenaline-packed ride. For Christians, such conversations are entered into with a fear and respect, as we are speaking of dark and evil things beyond our realm and understanding. […]
When we read the Bible, it sometimes appears to say things that just don’t make sense. Think about the scripture that plainly says God did not want the Apostle Paul to preach the gospel in Asia. Why not? Jesus told his disciples to preach the word throughout the world. Didn’t Asia count? This apparent discrepancy […]
By definition, being a Christian is all about following in Jesus’ footsteps. It’s all about learning how to walk the walk and talk the talk that he himself lived. Of course, this is no easy task, as we are challenged with applying the life lessons he taught us 2,000 years ago to the very different […]
“Tell the truth!” For many of us, we can recall that strongly stated advice as coming from our parents when we were caught doing or saying something that we shouldn’t have. The immediate dilemma was obvious. If I tell the truth, then I’m going to get in trouble. If I lie or just tell a […]
To many Christians, the fear of an eternal place of torment for unbelievers is very real. In the first four parts of this Hellfire Series, we addressed many of the sources of these fears one at a time. What we have seen is straightforward. First, the concept of “unquenchable fire” comes from the Old Testament […]
Morality can be a tricky thing. For the most part, humans do want to behave in a moral fashion. The tricky thing is figuring out how to actually define what qualifies as “moral behavior” and what does not. As Christians, this task of defining is supposed to be easier than for most, because we have […]
To be moral is to conform to a standard of right behavior. Ideally, to be moral is to stand for principles and actions that are positive and contributory to the world in which we live. This sounds great. It sounds like something we would all (with the exception of those who just don’t care) want […]
Jesus is Lord. He sits at the right hand of the throne of God, which is the position of highest power and authority in ALL of God’s glorious creation. This position was not thoughtlessly given. It was awarded to Jesus because his loyalty to and reverence for the heavenly Father were and are without equal. […]
When Jesus taught, he made many profound and life-changing statements. Here we are thousands of years later, appreciating how what he said can daily lift us up and inspire us. As beautiful as this is, it only scratches the surface. Our theme scripture is a classic example of this. It is awe inspiring to know […]
The subject of eternal torment can be volatile, as there are so many variations in its explanations. Aside from all of the questions and debates regarding the interpretation of Scripture, there’s one fundamental question that often gets overlooked: If a hell of torment is the ultimate consequence for sin, did God’s people always know that? […]
The subject of eternal torment can be volatile, as there are so many variations in its explanations. Aside from all of the questions and debates regarding the interpretation of Scripture, there’s one fundamental question that often gets overlooked: If a hell of torment is the ultimate consequence for sin, did God’s people always know that? […]
The world of politics IS our world. It is incredibly difficult to go through a typical day of interactions and online activity without being BOMBARDED with some form of political activism or opinion or outrage. With political victory comes power, and with power comes authority. With authority comes the ability to shape the lives and […]
If you look at any cross section of our present-day society, you will find that most of humanity suffers from physical or emotional maladies of one kind or another. It doesn’t matter what people’s belief systems are, suffering is universal. Who amongst us wouldn’t want to have some of that suffering taken away in a […]
Most people know something about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The core thought that is well known is the concept of helping a total stranger in a time of their great physical need. Think about it, there are laws in place to protect those who engage in helping strangers in case something goes wrong, […]
In Part I, we looked into what Jesus really meant when he talked about “hell” and “unquenchable fire.” Gehenna, the Greek word Jesus used for “hell,” describes a valley in which horrible acts of idolatry occurred. God proclaimed this valley would be known as a valley of slaughter, a valley that would symbolize utter destruction. […]
To the critical observer, modern Christianity is confusing as we have countless denominations and their countless ways of interpreting Scripture. These widely varied interpretations give birth to widely varied traditions that support those interpretations. As a major subset of this, we have wide discrepancies regarding the destiny of unbelievers. Several times, Jesus plainly taught about […]
Everyone wants to be heard. Being heard is not only an acknowledgment of our existence but also confirms our value. Being listened to helps us find a place of significance in whatever social order we happen to be engaging in. To be heard – to be truly paid attention to – is to be recognized […]
Habits are BIG! In many ways, habits – whether they are good or bad for us – dominate our lives. The odd thing is we are not even generally aware of how deeply rooted they are and how much control they really have. In Part I of our 2-part habits series, we looked into the […]
Human beings are undeniably creatures of habit. Let me dramatically oversimplify the whole habit thing for a moment to make a point. Habits are formed as tools to bring us comfort, reward and what we believe we want in life. Little kids test this all the time. A child with a very focused mind wants […]
As human beings, we all know what it’s like to get fired up about something. We see a circumstance unfold or read about something controversial, or our team wins the game no one thought they could. And we react! We become passionate or energized and feel that adrenaline rush. Suddenly there is no mountain too […]
Most of us are likely familiar with what shame feels like. We know all too well that it has the capacity to be a debilitating weight that can cut us off from others and reduce our lives to a cycle of hiding and self-contempt. Such a cycle can bring us to a living space where […]
Jesus plainly taught that the vast majority of humanity is traveling on the “broad road that leads to destruction.” Further he taught that there is a narrow way that leads to life, which is only found by few. For anyone who truly cares about humanity, this can be a very troubling thought. Why would God, […]
Our world can be confusing and scary. Sometimes it’s hard to know what is true, and sometimes it’s hard to know who to trust. For Christians, coping with this uncertainty should always come down to God’s word. What principles are we given in Scripture that will shine the sure light of truth on whatever dilemma […]
Fasting is a practice that has endured for thousands of years and appears often in the Bible. Among other things, it is used as a tool of focus, an expression of grief and a sign of humility. What seemed to have been a common occurrence in ancient days has now become far less mainstream. So, […]
Our world is such a cynical place. Sometimes it feels like every time you turn a corner, you’re met with frustration, unrest and a lack of trust. Because we have so many platforms through which we can speak, we do. When we speak, our words and sentiments are often full of accusation and vitriol. We […]
In our last episode, we talked about the great power of the solemn promises in the Bible called covenants. We observed how God had made several of these solemn promises, and that several are specifically labeled as “everlasting covenants.” As we look at Bible history, we can see that all of God’s promises have already […]
As Christians, we take great comfort in knowing that God is a God of unfathomable wisdom and integrity. We may be faced with things in life we never saw coming, but God is never caught off guard. With His foresight and eternal wisdom, He is not only prepared for anything, but He has preplanned for […]
In Part I of our two-part conversation about influence, we began to uncover just how broadly and how deeply the power of influence runs. In our world today, influence has taken on a new – and in some ways even more significant meaning – than ever before. Now because we have social media, we have […]
Influence. We are all touched by it in countless ways and countless times each and every day of our lives. Influence comes from all corners of life. If we are partial to someone, we generally accept their influence positively. If we are at odds with someone, we generally look down upon their influence. Either way, […]
Let’s begin by stating the obvious: the world is a mess! Now, we all know the world has been a mess for a very long time, so the question is, is this even news? The answer is yes, it is! Our present-day mess has everything to do with the ability to be connected with as […]
Everyone experiences loss in their lives in one way or another. How we attempt to cope with those losses depends upon several things. First, the kind of loss we are facing can dictate whether our response to it is mild, strong or severe. Second, our cultural environment offers up expectations as to how our mild […]
Every serious Christian knows about God’s holy spirit. We not only know about it, but we also often talk about what we believe to be its effects upon our lives. Christians speak of being provoked, directed, protected and guided by the spirit. Some of us claim the spirit speaks to us, or perhaps to our […]
We don’t know much about the spiritual world, especially before the creation of humanity. What we do know is that it was an entirely harmonious world with loyalty and obedience to God at its center. God foreknew that when pride crept into Satan’s heart and was exposed, it would lead to a massive shift in […]
Jesus is the Savior of the world. We all know how he left his heavenly glory with the Father and was reduced to the human condition so he could be the ransom – the corresponding price – for Adam and his fall from obedience and grace. By so doing, Jesus gave the whole human race […]
Honor and respect. These seem like simple enough words but try and find them actively functioning in everyday life and you will find that they are surprisingly rare. As we speculate about why this is, we may conclude that we as a social order simply don’t perceive a need for them. The further we go […]
Our society is in trouble. In many ways, it seems that we have lost our way, and we no longer have a general sense of societal respect. Maybe it’s just me, but when I was a kid, I was clearly shown the importance of valuing others. We were taught to respect those in charge, and […]
It would seem that most entering into marriage do so with high expectations of a life of happiness, fulfillment and companionship. Unfortunately for far too many, these expectations are foreign to their reality. Excluding marriages that end in divorce, how many are truly happy and fulfilled, and how many are simply going along to get […]
Jesus was at odds with the scribes and Pharisees. They stood for traditions that had been built upon the foundation of the Jewish Law but were not part of the already complex rules and guidelines God had commanded through Moses so many generations before them. No, these traditions were fabrications, and were likely in place […]
Jesus was a wise, loving and compassionate man. His whole reason for becoming a man was to give his life as a ransom for every single human being who ever lived, and you can’t be more selfless and giving than that. Yet, with all of his compassion, Jesus was also one to not mince words […]
Let’s face it. We all know that each and every one of us can be better. We can be better human beings, better friends, co-workers, spouses, cousins and certainly better Christians. The challenge here is obvious. Being “better” requires change. Significant change. To be better in whatever area we are focusing on requires a different […]
In Part I, we laid a foundation for understanding and managing harmful biases. One primary lesson we learned was that we ALL – no matter who we are and what our background is – are biased. While this is an uncomfortable truth, it is a necessary realization, for a true Christian is to strive to […]
I was recently summoned for jury duty. As I sat in the room at the beginning of the day, the court and its representatives showed some really informative introductory videos on what to expect and look out for when serving on a jury. The main topic they focused on was bias. Their premise was that […]
We all have heard of the biblical account of Jonah and the whale. Because it is so unique and dramatic, it has been an often-repeated story with many lessons – and rightfully so. What many don’t realize is the magnitude of the events and teachings surrounding this amazing circumstance. First, one point of clarification: it […]
As Christians, when we think about Jesus and his reason for being born as a man, we’re always inspired by the selflessness of his sacrifice to redeem Adam and all of humanity from sin and death. This gift is truly beyond anything we deserve. When we think of the Messiah, we instinctively think of Jesus. […]
Christians differ on a lot of things, and sometimes these differences can be troublesome. The basics we all agree on are centered on Jesus. We believe he died for our sins, and we believe he came to give his truest followers the opportunity to be in heaven with him. We also believe he is the […]
God gave us the ability to understand and appreciate His plan of the ages by revealing that plan within the pages of the Bible. This plan is focused on the necessary steps to bring ALL of His creation – both heavenly and earthly – to an existence that will completely and forever live in harmony […]
In Part I of our series, we focused on how the New Testament describes “perfection.” We found that Jesus, though perfect, had to be further “perfected” – further completed – by his personal experiences and sufferings in order to fully pay the ransom price for Adam. Similarly, but on a much smaller scale, Jesus’ disciples […]
God has an amazing plan that includes every human being who has ever lived. Rather than torturing billions for eternity in a fiery hell, this plan will give all of humanity a legitimate opportunity to be taught how to live in a godly and righteous way. We’re saying God’s plan gives EVERYONE an opportunity to […]
The world around us moves so fast that it’s easy to forget to pause and consider just how profoundly God has blessed us. In the United States, somewhere tucked in between the massive Halloween parties and the exhilaration of Christmas, Santa Claus, presents and fun, is a holiday called Thanksgiving. While we won’t take the […]
Way back in the 1980’s Bobby McFerrin recorded and released his very popular song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It’s a simple and upbeat perspective on living. When you think about it, the title is a profound instruction for life. Don’t worry; instead, be happy! About 100 years before this catchy song, Hannah Whitall Smith wrote […]
Arise and be baptized! This and many other similar scriptural statements have in many ways defined Christianity. Unfortunately, because Christianity is so splintered it applies these very important words and instructions in a wide variety of ways. Some say baptism changes you, others say it is a symbol, and others say it is necessary for […]
We live in a diverse world, and that can be a really wonderful thing! To observe and embrace the positive differences in our cultures, our backgrounds and our characters is worthy of celebration. Appreciating the immense differences we see in nature due to geographic locations is a fascinating journey through God’s creation. But here is […]
As Christians, we all are encouraged by the scriptural principle that God’s angels are watching over us. What better hands could we be in than those who were sent by God himself to care for our very lives! As encouraging as this scriptural principle is, we need to be careful to avoid turning this reverent […]
In our last episode, we talked about doubt as a permanent fixture in our present world and experiences and how this can be both a positive thing as well as a negative thing. There are many ways the seeds of doubt are planted. It might be as a result of misinformation or misunderstanding. Or when […]
Everybody doubts. So, is this a good thing or a bad thing? The answer is a resounding yes! Doubt can be a godly tool of necessary and righteous caution just as easily as it can be an ungodly tool of imperfect human judgment and destruction. Appropriate doubt that is fact- and integrity-based is an early […]
Chaos rules. Just look around at the world’s social, political and moral condition. We all want what we want, and we seem to now go to greater lengths than ever before to demand that we have it. Having what we want doesn’t stop there, as we now more often than not demand that what I […]
To claim the name of Christ and call ourselves Christians means we are claiming ourselves to be separate from the world. This sounds like a noble claim – and it is – though sometimes you’d never know it. Think about how many people make this claim and bear the Christian label but seem to be […]
As we have discovered from Parts I and II of this series, God is the Mighty One who has power and authority. He is the Self-Existing One who created humanity in His image for the purpose of having a personal relationship with them. Planet Earth was and is to be the eternal habitation of this […]
So many people believe God is a man-made myth. They see Him as a figment of the imagination of religious zealots who desperately seek some kind of higher power. When you look at mythological gods or the gods of some religious factions, you can certainly see the reasoning for that point. However, when we look […]
Whether we like it or not or believe it or not, the presence of powers higher than our human understanding cannot be denied. The debate begins and rages when we try to label these powers. Our human perspectives, belief systems and even how we claim to apply science all come into play here. As Christians, […]
When Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his disciples in Matthew 28, “Go and make disciples of all the nations.” He told them to baptize these disciples and teach them all that he had taught and commanded them to know and do. Ten days later, God’s spirit came upon the apostles, and this is where […]
In our last episode, we talked about many big-picture aspects of how the humbling and amazing privilege of prayer works. We learned that, as is usually the case with true Christian discipleship, there is much more to praying than talking to God about things and letting him know what we need and want. Today we […]
Prayer is an incalculably awesome privilege, and yet it is massively misunderstood. Prayer can easily become a ritual, an almost automatic activity like brushing our teeth. We know we need to do it because we know it’s really good for us. So, we do it at what we think are the appropriate times and in […]
It is a natural human response to want to be recognized for who we are and for what we contribute. This is easy to observe. Just look at a small child who does something to be helpful or obedient. When their parent recognizes and praises their behavior, their face beams with delight! While it is […]
In our last episode, we spoke with our good friend and brother in Christ, Howie Clare, from New Zealand. We met him through our Christian Questions ministry several years ago. Howie’s life had forever changed when his wife of 12 years left him with no explanation. To try and help him cope with his profound […]
Today we want to talk about freedom. Not freedom in the sense of being released from some form of physical captivity, and not freedom in the sense of being able to express yourself without fear. No, the freedom we want to focus on is bigger and deeper. It is the freedom we can be given […]
Israel. Just say the name and likely if anyone listening follows anything about events on the world stage, they will have a strong opinion one way or another. This is fascinating because the nations of Togo and Honduras, while not well-recognized in world events, have about the same population as Israel. What is it about […]
We have all been wronged by someone. Sometimes the wrong is especially deep and hurtful, and we are debilitated by it. We have all also heard the saying “forgive and forget.” The forgiving part sounds like a really magnanimous Christian thing to do. However, it can be deeply challenging, depending upon the hurt we have […]
If we make promises, we should keep them. This statement seems simple enough, and yet when we look around, how much confidence do we have in it? Do we see an unequivocal keeping of promises in our political leadership? Do we see it in the business world? The world of advertising or education? Do we […]
As Christians, our faith in God should translate into an unquestionable loyalty and trust. If God says something will be so, it is a guarantee it will happen. While this deep faith in the word of God should bring a powerful comfort to our lives, it’s also capable of bringing us serious doubts and concerns. […]
In John 7:16, 17 we read, “Jesus answered them, and said, ‘My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.’” Jesus felt a deep obligation to make sure he was teaching the […]
Patience is one of the most understated yet powerful characteristics any human being can have. Most of us think of patience as simply waiting things out – it’s raining and we can’t start the game until it stops, so let’s be patient. While this is one true facet, biblical patience goes much further. The Bible […]
The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew chapter 6 is perhaps the most commonly quoted teaching of Jesus. This prayer is simple and pointed in its focus. “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.” This beginning teaches us not only to acknowledge God as Father but to hallow, to reverence, His very name. The […]
It seems like it would be a no brainer to say that following Christ and following Christianity today are synonymous. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Imperfect human beings have always been very adept at creating alternative interpretations and approaches to most everything. Christianity is no exception. In Part I of our 2-part series, we […]
When someone says they are a Christian, their claim can be easily interpreted in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, following the name of Christ has been a dramatically devalued description of religion over many centuries. Think back to the Dark Ages when the church mercilessly hunted, tortured and killed non-believers for the sake of “saving […]
As a Christian, taking the time to understand what we think about is a worthy and necessary investment of our time and effort. When you look at anyone who is truly successful at any endeavor, you will always find that one of the common denominators of their success is controlling their minds. In Part I […]
Most of us don’t realize just much of our lives come down to our own personal choices. We have far more power over how we handle our everyday experiences than we give ourselves credit for. Why wouldn’t we claim this power so we can better influence our path? Because we subtly and regularly fall into […]
The thought that God is a God of anger – especially in the Old Testament – is alive and well. It’s a very convenient thought. All one has to do is select from the many passages in the Old Testament that show God commanding the destruction of this or that people. It’s easy to say […]
We all know someone who has been in some kind of altercation that didn’t end well. When we go back and look at the events, we always want to know who started it. What we are looking for is who initially provoked the other party to cause the chain of events that led to someone […]
Christian faith is a big deal. The Bible tells us that faith is a gift from God. It tells us the just live by faith. It tells us that faith without works is dead, and that without faith, it is impossible to please God. It tells us that we can be of little faith needing […]
In all of recorded history since Adam, there has never been a time when humanity did not know pain, sorrow, trauma and death. Never. These things are so ingrained into the fabric of our lives that the very idea of not knowing pain and suffering is a pipe dream. And death? It’s a given. Everybody […]
“It is finished.” When Jesus said these three words, he signaled an ending. He proclaimed to those who were gazing upon his beaten and crucified body that he had completed a specific set of tasks successfully. He had done what he had set out to do. Looking back on this event, some may wonder, what […]
The last week of Jesus’ earthly life was both eventful and tumultuous. His riding triumphantly into Jerusalem four days before his crucifixion was a dramatic and unmistakable display of hope and respect by the hundreds of thousands who honored him as he rode. The events that would take place after his kingly entrance into the […]
It is a given that life is stressful. We all know that the sheer quantity of input that we are each exposed to from the various parts of our lives is overwhelming. Now come the decisions. Do I watch, do I listen, do I click, do I respond, do I message, do I like? Now […]
It’s not too often that those who are young adults rise up to be the heroes of the day. Usually they are in the “figuring life out” stage, but occasionally there comes a young adult who is living far beyond that perplexity. David, who would become known as “a man after God’s own heart,” was […]
King Solomon ruled over a united kingdom of the 12 tribes of Israel. While the king celebrated the breathtaking splendor of Israel’s civil engineering feats and the exquisite opulence of his palaces and buildings, the people were being suffocated under unreasonably high taxes and forced labor. Tribal jealousies were prevalent between the northern and southern […]
When God miraculously rescued His people from Egyptian slavery and established Israel as a nation, He put a system of rulership through judges in place that did not include having a king. We all know what happened. The people complained to the prophet Samuel because they wanted a king like everybody else. Even though they […]
Human relationships are a key factor in human survival and well-being. We need them, and God has designed humanity in such a way as to thrive when healthy relationships are present. In Part I and Part II of this three-part series, we drilled down into marriage relationships, as well as family and close friend relationships. […]
In Part I, we opened the door to talking about strong and healthy relationships by focusing on marriage. We looked at what it is built upon, what makes it work, what hinders it and how to stay with it when challenges arise. We discovered a powerful scriptural pattern for success that can be traced to […]
This may sound odd, but for a moment think about your personal relationships like a car. You depend on your car though you generally don’t think much about it. When you get in it you are ready to go, and if it doesn’t start or it breaks down, it creates issues. A lack of attention […]
We all would agree that truth is important. Legally we know it is critical. When pressed to speak the truth under oath in the United States, you are asked, “Do you solemnly swear/affirm that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God/under pains and penalties of […]
There are some questions that are just plain difficult. One of those questions that many believers in God may wrestle with has to do with God seemingly allowing Satan to run the show. Let’s face it, evil stinks and we just want it to go away. Yet, God has continued to let Satan’s influence dominate […]
Everybody sins. We can’t help it because we are imperfect, and therefore we will inevitably fall. As Christians, we can and should claim the amazing advocacy of Jesus, ask forgiveness, make right what we did wrong and move on. But are there sins that go beyond what Jesus can help us with? Are there “unforgivable” […]
The Bible is full of examples of God’s love, justice, wisdom, power and plan. It is a fountain of mercy and foresight, and a treasure trove of prophecy. Understanding the magnitude of all these things helps us see God as the Sovereign Creator and Father that He really is. But wait, there’s more! Running through […]
We all know people who are visionaries, you know, the kind of people who change the world around them. They see things others don’t. They imagine possibilities others can’t. This often results in them taking risks in ways others won’t. While we appreciate these trendsetters, most of us are not that kind of visionary. However, […]
Christmas is such a great time of year! It gives people something to look forward to, something to be excited about. Decorations spring up and brighten our environment. We love giving gifts and we certainly love receiving them. Most of us get some extra time off to be with family or to just be able […]
God’s plan for humanity is powerful, positive and proactive and is built upon the ransom price Jesus paid for every man, woman and child who ever lived. This plan is one of great joy! All scriptural events and prophecies point to the unfolding of this plan. As we observed in Part I of this series, […]
Christianity is divided into many denominations and groups. These divisions create a wide variety of teachings that elicit a wide variety of reactions. Take the rapture as an example. In its basic form, it interprets the Scriptures to say that Jesus returns with a shout and a trumpet. He raises the dead Christians to him […]
The fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5 are much more than a recounting of nice things to develop as Christians. They are fundamental building blocks upon which any productive Christian life must be built. Whenever we refer to any of these nine characteristics, let’s remember there are two ways we can view them. […]
When the Apostle Paul listed the “fruit of the spirit” in the 5th chapter of Galatians, he placed it right after a nasty list, recounting 15 “deeds of the flesh.” This fruit list was positioned as a remedy for any Christian who might struggle with any of those earthly issues. In Part I and II […]
In our last two episodes, we spent significant time reviewing and understanding the Apostle Paul’s list of the deeds of the flesh in Galatians 5. His reason for such a detailed and uncomfortable list was to give us all a clear push forward and away from such things, so we can walk towards living a […]
Adam was created in the image of God. His physical human nature was fashioned in a way that would glorify God by its very existence. Once he sinned, all that changed. What was once a pure reflection of the heart and mind of God, at best became a muddied and defective reflection. Fast forward thousands […]
It’s a simple equation with a guaranteed end result. Walk in the spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. As Christians living in an “anything goes” world, this straightforward statement can be easily overlooked and even ignored. Among the many challenges we face today, being like everyone else is among […]
“Let go and let God.” This simple statement is focused on faith and trust, two fundamental challenges for Christians. We may think it’s easy to have faith, but when we are in times of difficulty, the depth of our true faith is revealed and sometimes revealed as seriously lacking. We may think that we have […]
Candy, costumes parties and fun! The Halloween season with all of its excitement and trappings is upon us. On top of the fun and the sugar rush, this is a time of year particularly specializes in seeking to be horrified as another form of entertainment. The party-like atmosphere is generously sprinkled with murder, mayhem, zombies […]
Sin is a difficult thing to handle. We are constantly challenged to daily live up to godly standards of righteousness. As our social order expands into countless variations of perceived freedoms, there are many questions that need clarifying regarding what is right and wrong in God’s eyes. Today we examine two of those questions. First, […]
Jesus’ true disciples go to heaven. Not only did Jesus make this clear, but several other scriptures show this amazing result of God’s grace upon a life dedicated to walking in Jesus’ sacrificial footsteps. In the first two parts of this three-part series, we uncovered many heavenly privileges, inheritances and responsibilities that these faithful ones […]
Going to heaven is a really big deal. Last week was Part I of our three-part series on what heaven-bound Christians will be doing when they get there. So far, we uncovered the mechanics of why only chosen ones are privileged to go to heaven. We began to scratch the surface regarding what these disciples […]
It’s pretty safe to assume that most every Christian looks forward to being in heaven with Jesus if they are faithful to their call of discipleship. While this can be an exciting and positively overwhelming prospect, it can also be a future that is filled with questions. What exactly will the faithful be doing when […]
God is all powerful and all knowing. The problem is, we often don’t think about what that really means. Not only has knowledge of God diminished in our day, but respect and reverence for Him are now scarce commodities. Humanity in this technology-driven age is prone to judge without understanding. Our benevolent Creator is an […]
The actions of God in the Bible are an easy target for criticism. It is so easy to look into this ancient book and pick out events that may not look sensible and even make God look bad and wildly inconsistent. Examining these events carefully does reveal truth and harmony – if we are willing […]
The Bible is a really big book. It was written by about 40 people spanning a period of over 1,500 years and in three different languages. Just these facts alone create a likelihood of its writings being misunderstood, misinterpreted and misrepresented. Claims that the Bible is a wildly contradictory book are numerous and easy to […]
To seek and acquire wisdom seems to be a lost art in our technology-laden world. Why spend the time, seeking, gathering, learning, absorbing, internalizing and applying wisdom when you can simply Google it and be told what something means? Why invest time and effort into trying to become a “wise person” when most of your […]
One of the great Christian challenges of our day is living a God-honoring life in a world that basically thinks you’re nuts. What role should our differences with the world around us play in how we do or don’t fit in with all that goes on each day of our lives? What specific principles do […]
Among Christians, some of the most often quoted and beloved Old Testament scriptures are found in Psalm 23. In very few words, these six verses paint a vivid picture of God’s overwhelming care for His children. The imagery of a shepherd knowing and caring for his sheep speaks to our helplessness as we as God’s […]
As long as no one gets hurt, I can do pretty much whatever I want! Such is the battle cry of our present age. We are so advanced in our awareness and thinking that it has become easy to throw off the once-constricting values of ages gone by and just be in the here and […]
Technology, medicine, communication and interdependence allow a previously unimaginable world of seemingly unlimited possibilities of societal advancement and personal fulfillment. Our communication is instantaneous, and our collective demands for entertainment and happiness have never been louder. While some of this has been a blessing, Satan, as this world’s master of confusion, has blurred the lines […]
Parenting is a difficult and often unpredictable task. In Episode 1238, we laid a scripturally-principled foundation for managing our parental “what ifs” and imperfections. We also addressed the ever-present challenge of growing confidence and competence in our children as we slowly release our parental control over them. With all of this in place, it is […]
Raising children never has been an easy task. Methods for parenting have varied dramatically based on what time in history you are bringing up children. Disciplining children in an “appropriate” way looks entirely different now than it did just a few generations ago. The culture you live in as you raise a family also has […]
Talking about the Day of Judgment can be difficult. The sad truth is that as magnanimous as the love and mercy of God through Jesus are, the opportunity to fail throughout the Day of Judgment will be very real. God created humanity with free will. The Day of Judgment will be about teaching our race […]
In Part I we examined modern-day Paganism and compared it with some of the most basic tenants of Christianity as revealed in the Bible. What we found were two fundamentally different approaches to life, worship and morality. We can see that as Christians, we are absolutely to love those who hold such a contrary belief […]
Our religious world has changed dramatically. In the bygone days of generations past. we had clear lines that marked our differences. Christianity seemed to have clear and unmistakable differences from religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Druidism. Our “one God and one Savior” approach stood in an entirely different category from the multiple-god eternal journey that […]
Tragedy hurts. But a tragedy that involves the utterly senseless taking of the lives of innocent children is a blow to the heart that can send us reeling. Such a blow is hard to recover from and the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, is a most recent and horrifying example of this profound pain. […]
It’s hard to stay focused, especially when that focus requires attention be given to something that is different and challenging. As Christians living in this 21st century, our responsibility is, as Jesus said when he was only 12 years old, to “be about our Father’s business.” As clear as this objective is, because we are […]
We live in an age of tremendous knowledge, phenomenal technology and unprecedented freedom. On one hand, ours is an age where the individual reigns supreme. I can decide what’s right and wrong for me. I can also expect others to make allowances for my conclusions. On the other hand, the Gospel of Jesus Christ tells […]
The vast majority of Christian belief systems may have a problem. What do they do with the billions of humanity who aren’t true followers of Jesus, but they aren’t terrible people either? These billions try to live a good life by being decent and kind to one another. Many of these have not heard the […]
God does not reward sin. On the contrary, He abhors it! Satan’s first rebellious thoughts against God will result in his eventual destruction. Adam’s sin of disobedience has and continues to result in the power of sin, evil and death plaguing our world to this day. Enter Tamar and Rahab. These are two Old Testament […]
We all get angry. In today’s social media world, we can easily find a platform to express that anger. Our anger develops when we hear or see something that we interpret as causing fear, frustration or offense. We react to our perception, and the seeds of anger are sown and grown in an instant. Once […]
In our last episode, we deeply explored the human soul. We saw that both the Old and New Testaments clearly teach that humans ARE souls and don’t HAVE souls. We further confirmed that the Bible is explicit about the destiny of the human soul being death, as that was the irrevocable penalty for sin given […]
Do human beings HAVE souls or ARE they souls? Do human beings have a spirit? If so, what does that mean? Or, are we really spirit beings temporarily confined in a terrestrial body? What happens when we die? Do our soul and spirit die? Do they go someplace, or do they stay together? Religions, cultures […]
Nobody likes to suffer. Nobody wants pain, turmoil, uncertainty, tragedy or sickness to take up continual residence in their lives. When a Christian suffers by facing hard things in their daily experience, it is easy to look at it as punishment. We see these harsh experiences as a signal that something is wrong and expect […]
When thinking about world-altering events, there is one that stands alone as the single most powerful world-changing event in the history of humanity. It is the raising of Jesus from the dead. Many call this Easter Sunday. When this event occurred so many centuries years ago, the vast majority of the world had no idea […]
In all of human history, there has never been an event with the magnitude and drama of the nation of Israel being freed from their harsh slavery in Egypt. Millions of people and countless flocks literally walked away from generations of harsh servitude. God guided them to their freedom after the 10th plague and through […]
Talking about the end of the world is scary. The amazing thing is that predicting it has been going on for thousands of years. Quoting a few lines from a 2009 Smithsonian Magazine article: “An Assyrian clay tablet dating to around 2800 B.C. bears the inscription: Our Earth is degenerate in these later days; there […]
Most Christians are very aware of Satan’s influence in our world today. We know he is opposed to God and His will at all turns, and as the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), he will ferociously fight to keep all he has laid claim to. What we don’t often think about is how […]
Hope is a critical part of the human experience. Without it, our lives would be overrun with despair, doubt and difficulty. It’s intertwined in every part of any experience that contains even the smallest measure of doubt. Without it, we would end up meeting the uncertainties of each day with our own internal and unanswerable […]
As Christians, we all fail. We all think, say or do things that are out of harmony with God’s will and way, and this can be really frustrating. So, what can change those failures? Will focusing on having more faith make a difference? The answer to this is both yes and no. Having more faith […]
Part I of this important topic focused in on some harsh Old Testament accounts that featured God pronouncing death and destruction to those who perpetrated great evil. Bible skeptics parade these accounts as proof that God is merciless, evil and even sadistic. While the Old Testament does put these kinds of judgments into perspective, the […]
There are MANY things in the Bible that are easily misunderstood and therefore easily misrepresented. Perhaps the most singularly misrepresented subject in the entire Bible is the nature of God Himself. There are many who accuse God of being angry, vengeful, cruel and unjust, especially because of the Old Testament. They write Him off as […]
In the 2,000 years since Jesus walked the earth, Christianity has in some ways progressed but in many ways fragmented. Depending on the doctrine or ritual you are looking at, you can find groups with a laser focus on it or a minimized approach to it. The early Christian ritual of the “laying on of […]
When it comes to understanding your marriage relationship, there may not be a more revealing question to ask than, “What do I say when I talk to my spouse?” We make a life-altering decision to marry, and the passion behind it is clear and solid. We see it as a “forever” passion. Time passes and […]
As Christians, we are truly blessed. Having given our lives to Jesus, we are assured that all of our experiences are overruled for our best benefit. This is not to imply we can just coast along as though we were given a ticket for some magical ride to heaven riding on fluffy clouds of comfort. […]
When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, he changed everything. All that the people of Israel had ever heard before this was related to the Jewish Law and much of that teaching had been corrupted by their religious leadership. Jesus sat on a hillside teaching his disciples, allowing anyone to listen in who had […]
Arguably, the most well-known sermon in the world is the Sermon on the Mount, delivered by Jesus over 2,000 years ago on a mountainside near the Lake of Gennesaret and Capernaum. It was his longest recorded sermon, covering important topics like loving your enemies, anger and murder, adultery and divorce, how to fast and laying […]
It is easy to live with bitterness. I am not suggesting it’s initially comfortable, but I am suggesting that being bitter towards one or many people or circumstances is considered acceptable. We know it’s acceptable because if we pay attention, we will see that the harsh and angry results of a bitter temperament are widely […]
The source of the phrase, “The devil is in the details” is a bit unsure. It is thought to be a derivation of the phrase “God is in the detail,” thought to be from an old German proverb sometime in the 1800’s. Whatever the origin, both phrases are profoundly true. As we begin a new […]
Technology brings the world to the palm of your hand. This means we are bombarded with voices. Worldly voices of opinion, anger, politics, perspective, ego, trends and personal interpretations of morality. If you have technology in your life, it is virtually impossible to completely shut these voices out. On the other hand, we have the […]
So, what is Christmas about? Well, that depends on who you are. For some, Christmas is traditionally a time for family and friends. It’s a time when we are more likely to put aside the stresses of our daily grind and give a little more, smile a little more and notice what is around us […]
Outside of some deeply philosophical debates, the idea of human beings having inherent freedom of choice seems to be a generally acceptable premise. Free will makes us special. The capacity of conscious choice establishes humankind in a unique category in relation to the rest of life on our planet. When human beings interfere with the […]
The Bible is a complicated book. It is a book of many books written in several languages over more than 1,500 years by the hand of about 40 individuals. It contains history and prophecy, as well as spiritual, moral and legal guidance. Its content is relayed in the form of historical records, letters and proclamations. […]
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are common. They have been reported from cultures and religions worldwide for hundreds of years. In this near-death scenario, there is usually a dark tunnel with a warm and calming light at the end. Often there are deceased relatives waiting in that light to receive the person going through the experience. Sometimes […]
Every Christian wants to be faithful in living their life with thankfulness. One immediate question that arises is, what causes us to be thankful? What life experiences bring us to gratitude? Most of us would answer that we feel appreciativeness when things fall into place or when a hard experience yields a righteous result. These […]
As a Christian, we never want to be in a situation where we end up fighting against God. Yet, we may end up in this position more often than we’d expect. To fight FOR God is to stand for His principles, His Plan and His purposes as outlined in Scripture. This sounds simple, but it […]
We always say that prayer changes things – and it does. Jesus was emphatic about this and even gave us an example of how to pray in what is known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” With prayer, as with so many parts of Christian doctrine, the core value of what the Bible teaches easily gets lost […]
It seems like wisdom has become old fashioned and obsolete. When I think of wisdom, I think of a thoughtful approach that is not driven by self-interest. I think of quiet observation that seeks to understand the people, the facts and the circumstances before weighing in with answers. When I think of wisdom, I think […]
Our shared human experience is linked by extreme grief at the loss of a loved one. COVID-19 has unexpectedly killed millions of people around the world, often with no time opportunity for meaningful closure. When a child dies, or a loved one dies tragically or simply passes away from sickness or old age, we want […]
Life can be difficult and unpredictable. It can be full of insecurity, unexpected disappointments, and events that press and overwhelm our coping skills. All of this can bring us to places that make us want to run from our reality. We instead engage in a pseudo-reality that makes us feel better – at least for […]
When Jesus was being questioned by Pilate in John 18:37, he told him, Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. Pilate’s answer was an important question because he asked, What is truth? This brief interchange brings us to similar questions. How do we know that we are people of the truth? Do the […]
Every Christian loves Jesus and every Christian wants to be acceptable to him. None of us ever wants to take his sacrifice on our behalf for granted. We don’t want to fall into a pattern of complacency where we don’t appreciate the blessings he gives us. While these are all well-stated intentions, we need to […]
The word “curse” is overused and under comprehended. Cursing can mean using words that are not acceptable to repeat in public. To curse can mean to call upon a perceived other-worldly power for the purpose of harming someone or something. Cursing can also mean the expression of great disdain and loathing for people or things. […]
Our God is a God of order. Psalm 89:14 says that righteousness and justice are the very foundation of His heavenly throne. This means that all He does must be based in what is right and just. While some of us may look at this through fearful eyes, this is actually great news. It means […]
The history and cultures of our world have brought us to where we are today. Many various cultures have fueled wonderful traditions, solid communities and exemplary progress. But many cultures have also brought us darkness, superstitions and strong desire to harm those they see as enemies. Enter the worldwide phenomena of curses. To quote from […]
Christianity waits for the return of Jesus. Depending on your doctrinal beliefs, you may be looking for his return to bring incredible drama and life changing moments – things like earthquakes , destruction, anarchy and a rapture. While we can see scriptural evidence to support SOME of these things, we want to be careful about […]
So, what does it mean to be a Christian, and how do I know if I am doing it right? What happens if I am doing it wrong? Is there a clear-cut standard? Will Jesus be disappointed in me if I fall short? Am I expected to change who I am, or develop who I […]
Never in the history of humanity have we had such a profound ability to communicate with others. From the palm of our hand, we can see and speak with individuals and groups all over the world at anytime of day or night. We can message, share and “like” in countless ways. Yet, never in the history […]
To live a life as a disciple of Christ is to live a life of discipline and focus. We are walking in Jesus’ footsteps, and that means there are many things we need to do. After all, by his teachings and examples, Jesus wrote the book of our faith. So, what did Jesus expect from […]
Forgiveness is a tough thing. The times we need to forgive are usually the times we are in no mood to forgive. It can be easy to say, “I forgive you,” but are those words reflected in my thoughts, emotions and actions? Do I say those words out of mere obligation or to just end […]
As Christians, we are constantly faced with the challenge of doing the right thing in a sinful world. We are bombarded with input and suggestions that can easily cloud the simplicity of what the right thing is. Once we get the right thing in focus, the next challenge is to do that right thing the […]
The call of Christianity is unique. It is a call to sacrifice and humility, a call to the subduing of one’s own will in favor of God’s will. While there are many noble purposes in this world and many humble and dedicated people, a Christian is called to the ultimate purpose of eventually reconciling the […]
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