The Mosaic Law was a very concrete thing. The Jews observed ordinances, performed rituals, and obeyed laws in the natural that were physical representations of spiritual concepts. For example, in Deuteronomy 22:11, God forbade His people from mixing linen and wool. It seems ridiculous that the God of the universe would make such a specific… Continue reading Decide to Become a Bondslave of Christ
During His earthly ministry, Jesus wasn’t exactly a salesman. In fact, sometimes His words were downright tough to hear. In the book of Luke, Jesus explained to a large crowd of people what the qualifications are to becoming His disciple. His followers must forsake everything else and take up their crosses (a symbol of complete… Continue reading 3 Times Christians Should Count the Cost
Willful ignorance occurs when a person deliberately chooses to avoid becoming informed on a topic. Usually, the purpose is to keep from having to make decisions about the information. After all, ignorance can be bliss for a moment when the subject in question is negative, and there’s the old saying, “what we don’t know can’t… Continue reading Examine Yourself to See if You Are in the Faith
I never thought for a single moment I was doing anything wrong. I didn’t miss one church service, a single chapter in my Bible-reading plan, or one night in my prayer closet. All my ministry responsibilities were done with the same care I always use, and praising God was the first thing on my mind… Continue reading Beware: Backsliding Is Easier Than You Think
Matthew 5:5 says that the meek will inherit the earth. Jesus even calls Himself “meek” in Matthew 11:29. But what does the word mean? And why is this a quality that would define those who are counted worthy to receive life in the ages to come? I believe that God showed me an analogy through… Continue reading The Meek Will Inherit the Earth: An Analogy
In Revelation 3:16-17, Jesus tells the church at Laodicea that they are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. It’s a metaphor describing the condition of their spiritual walk, and it comes with consequences that are as vivid as they are dire: God will vomit them out of His mouth. But what does it mean to be… Continue reading Are You a Lukewarm Christian? 3 Steps to Red Hot
When we were little and just learning to do things for ourselves, we would try. Sometimes we would struggle and strain to zip our jackets or tie our shoes until we finally had to acknowledge the need for help. As Christians, I think sometimes we forget that we haven’t arrived just yet. We're all still… Continue reading Sometimes We Need Wise Counsel
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, a minor tragedy happened in our home. My cat, Nichta (pronounced NEEK-ta and meaning “night” in Greek) broke his leg. The events surrounding his injury and recovery brought me face to face with my own reactions to God when things happen in my life that bring me pain. In fact, recently,… Continue reading Trust the Master: 3 Lessons From My Cat
In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan’s allegory of the Christian life, Beulah Land is just outside the Celestial City, or heaven. It’s a place of abundance in which the covenant between God and man is renewed. The idea comes from Isaiah 62:4-5, and it has inspired both hymns and gospel songs over the years. It’s about… Continue reading Beulah Land: A Place Just Outside of Heaven
I thought about hell this week. It’s not usually a subject I dwell on too much, but this week, it was up in my face – almost literally. I had been sick with the Coronavirus for about eleven days at that point. The pain raging behind my eyes and nose was piercing. The dull ache… Continue reading 3 Things to Remember When We’re Suffering
