was this coming from a grubby itinerant soapbox preacher, a construction worker from Galilee who fancied himself a theologian and even more, the actual son of God, the Messiah? Continue reading Gospel of John: Be Made Free
God is true to character, God is just and righteous, and calls God’s people to be the same. The Lord is also merciful. Only eternity will reveal how much and how often the Lord has spared God’s people because of the often hidden prayers offered up as intercession. Continue reading Minor Prophets: Locusts and Fire
In Genesis chapter 1, God’s word divided the light from the darkness. So now, Jesus, the Word and the Light, came into the world and divided those who love the Light from those who embrace the darkness. Continue reading Gospel of John: Choose Life
The Lord sees the evil that mars God’s creation and destroys the people God loves, and the Lord intends to get rid of it. God’s wrath consumes evil and wickedness not as the opposite of God’s love, but as the expression of God’s love. Continue reading Gospel of John: Heal, Not Hurt
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, thus must the Son of Humanity be lifted up, in order that all who believe in him will have life eternal. Continue reading Gospel of John: Sign of the Serpent
Amos condemned all those who made themselves powerful or rich at the expense of others, by cheating, by perverting justice, and by taking advantage of those with no money and no power.
It’s a timely message, isn’t it. Continue reading Minor Prophets: Amos Blisters Israel
As I read Hosea, I realized the people of his day the people wanted happiness, not holiness, a change of circumstances, not a change of character. They shed tears of sorrow over suffering, not tears of repentance over sins. Continue reading Minor Prophets: Hosea, True Repentance
You know how it feels to be stuck? You can’t see any way out, and you sure wish you could get out. This onramp at the end of Acts chapter 9, leading to Acts chapter 10, is all about breakthroughs, Peter willing to cooperate with God as God began to expand the church and take it in new directions. Continue reading Acts Wednesday: Chapter 9, Breakthroughs
Some warm to the largely comforting and hopeful philosophy that babies are born pure and innocent, and it’s the morally unhealthy culture, surrounding society, that inclines us to sin. Others argue that to believe such a theory takes a person off the hook—my sin is always someone else’s fault, rather than owning we are born sinful. Continue reading Mercy and Grace
“We are the new humanity,” Noah had said quietly, his voice catching. “God has given us Shalom, and we will praise Him with all our hearts.” Continue reading Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
