My father is now in his mid-80s and is retired from pastoring due to health issues, but he still fills the pulpit occasionally. One of the struggles his health gives him is shortness of breath, yet it has never stopped him from preaching. Several times, he has been sitting in the pew waiting to preach, … Continue reading Walking in God’s Strength
I thought I could do it alone, but I found out I could not do it at all. Every time I fell, I would get up and promise myself it would be the last time. I would find the point of weakness, put a fence around it, and promise to stay away, but the fences … Continue reading I Thought I Could Do It Alone
We often live as if we deserve mercy from the hands of the Lord. Some seem to believe He is obligated to provide it to us. Many people seem to assume he is at fault if he does not give equal mercy to all. All of these assumptions are wrong. A god who is required … Continue reading God’s Mercy Truly is Mercy
By the term "vanity," we comprehend all those things which are prone to absorb the desires and affections of men. The Apostle John categorizes them all as: "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life!" They rightfully merit the label of vanities, as they are certain to disillusion … Continue reading Resisting the Lure of Vanity
When scientists grapple with ultimate understandings of the real, they’re escaping science itself and delving into the realms of theology, and that theology is almost always bad. CLICK TO READ MORE...
If you are burdened with heavy responsibilities or battles, you will find encouragement in the book of Joshua as the Lord fights for Israel. You may be in over your head, unable to match the strength of what is before you, but you have a heavenly Father who can effectively act on your behalf. Right … Continue reading The Lord Will Fight for You
Justification and sanctification are not the same. Justification happens outside of us; sanctification takes place within us. One is about having righteousness credited to us, while the other involves righteousness being infused in us. Justification is a one-time event; sanctification is a gradual process. One person may be more sanctified than another, but no one … Continue reading The Difference Between Justification and Sanctification
We are all vulnerable to deception. Even the church, which has the truth of God's word and clear commands, can make poor choices if we do not seek the Lord's guidance. An illustration of our vulnerability can be found in the story of Israel and the Gibeonites in Joshua chapter 9. God had commanded Israel … Continue reading Avoiding Gibeonite Deception in Modern Churches
We live in a world full of revilers and mockers. Even Christians can fall into this behavior, but against the Lord and his people, there seems to be no limit to the blasphemies that come out of the mouths of men. It will soon come to an end. In the book of Joshua, we find … Continue reading Silencing the Mockers Tongue
What does it mean that God created us in his image? The Imago Dei is a topic that has been debated throughout church history. I do not expect this post to answer all the questions or be the final thought on the matter, but perhaps it may be helpful to prime the pump. In reading … Continue reading 4 Aspects of Being Made in God’s Image
The Fight of Faith 