In my last post, I discussed our interaction as believers with other Christians, pointing out that Christ-like love is the one defining mark that should characterize those relationships.  But what about those relationships that are not necessarily directly affected by whether both parties are Christians?  For example, what does the Bible say about our interactions … Continue reading For The Lord’s Sake →

I heard a story once about a practical joke a family pulled on some friends they were having over.  What they had done was fill a five-gallon thermos with clear Kool-Aid and another thermos with water died green with food coloring.  Then they wrote paper labels to identify which drink was which, putting the “Water” … Continue reading They Can Tell →

As Christians, we claim to want to know God more and more, and that we want to be led by Him.  We know the Old Testament image of God molding our lives like a potter molds the clay, and we love to sing “Just as I am” (Isa. 45:9; Jer. 18:4-6). Yet I feel that … Continue reading Who is Molding Who? →

David has become king over all of Israel, and his kingdom seems to be doing well. In this early part of his reign, he has just defeated the Philistines and the Moabites, and things seem to be at rest.  Seems, that is. In the neighboring kingdom of Amon, the king has died and his son Hanun … Continue reading Watch My Six →

We know that Satan was originally created as an angel, and we know that he fell because of his sin, but have you ever wondered why the Bible does not record this event?  But then again, maybe it does.  As we look for it, let us also consider some secondary lessons about studying the Bible … Continue reading A Human King…Or Satan Himself? →

The year was 1945, and WWII was drawing to an end in the Western Theater, but things still had a way to go in the Pacific Theater.  On April 1st, the U.S. Army launched a joint attack of combined forces of allied nations against the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. The largest, and thus most strategic, … Continue reading Give Me One More →

When a person first comes to faith in Christ, they are on fire for God, and they are so overjoyed with the salvation that God has provided.  But then life sets in.  Years go by, struggles arise, temptations triumph, and that first love is lost.  As a result, we begin to wonder whether we truly … Continue reading Are You Sure? →

In a recent conversation with some friends, the issue of ministry opportunities arose.   Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where it does not seem that we have any opportunities to serve others or to minister.  What can make those situations even more challenging is when we look at other people we know and see how … Continue reading But What Can I Do? →

A popular argument against the New Testament today is that the apostles did not intend their writings to be received on the same level as the books given before Christ came.  The point is made that the canon of the New Testament (the determination of which books actually were Scripture) came about centuries later during Church … Continue reading All Scripture →

Israel’s first king, Saul, is a truly unique character to study.  He changes over time from a young man cowering behind the baggage train because of his shyness, to gathering all Israel to pursue and destroy a perceived rebel.  Yet throughout his life, one facet receives repeated attention, and it is that of his worship. In 1 … Continue reading Worship…Just What We Do? →