-
Obedience
11 Teach me your way, Lord, so that I can walk in your truth. Make my heart focused only on honoring your name. (Ps. 86:11, CEB) Psalm 86 is more like a Psalm of complaint. Some translations give it a nice feel. The Common English Bible and NET Bible bring out more of the “complaint.” “Listen O Lord! Answer me!” (v. 1,…
-
Empires
12 Now there are some Jews, ones you appointed to administer the province of Babylon—specifically, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored your command. They don’t serve your gods, and they don’t worship the gold statue you’ve set up.” (Dan. 3:12, CEB) What happens when belief clashes with culture? When the idols of the culture are so prevalent and your lack of…
-
Sanctification
There are sentences that I come upon that, at times, take my breath away. As I am going through F.F. Bruce’s commentary on Hebrews, I am finding a lot of those moments. The passage is Hebrews 2 10 It was appropriate for God, for whom and through whom everything exists, to use experiences of suffering to make perfect the pioneer of…
-
Grace
I was finally able to see Les Miserables in the theater. It is one of the most powerful pictures of grace I have seen in quite some time. What a beautiful story, and I thoroughly enjoyed the performances… ESPECIALLY Anne Hathaway… WOW! It’s a beautiful story and it was beautiful to look into this amazing story of grace.
-
Hearing
Sometimes we need to hear the leading of the Spirit in very “plain” things. I know I do. I have an old beater car. I feel like I’m back in high school and praying for miracles every day. Miracles like, “Please start. Please drive. Please stop.” My prayer life is improved immensely. Just the past few days I had one…
-
Majesty
3 The Son is the light of God’s glory and the imprint of God’s being. He maintains everything with his powerful message. After he carried out the cleansing of people from their sins, he sat down at the right side of the highest majesty. (Heb. 1:3, CEB) The first 4 verses of Hebrews are truly beautiful. As I prepare to teach…
-
Idols
I am working my way through the first six chapters of Daniel in my sermon series. Next Sunday is Daniel 3, the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. (We know their Babylonian names better: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.) Just one early thought to get going for the week: The idol of a culture is set up and three young men…
-
Parents
My parents celebrate their anniversary today. I am so deeply thankful for their love, their example, their godliness, their prayers, and so much more. They have lived an example of Christ I so deeply cherish. Happy Anniversary, Dad and Mom!
-
Culture
I’m still trying one word titles, so I would actually like to say “Cultural Shifts.” Cultural shifts happen. Some like them. Some do not. We, as believers, serve in an unshakeable kingdom. Shifts do not catch our King by surprise. Our allegiance is greater.
-
Unshakeable
44 “But in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will be indestructible. Its rule will never pass to another people. It will shatter other kingdoms. It will put an end to all of them. It will stand firm forever” (Dan. 2:44, CEB) The vision Daniel saw in this chapter was one…
