Single versus Married

The related questions were put forth thusly: “Is the single or unmarried state really inferior to the married state? Why the pressures from the church and parents on the spiritual superiority of married life?” For most people, marriage is the ideal marital status, as long as husbands and wives practice biblical principles (Ephesians 5:22-33). God Himself at the budding of human habitation upon the earth determined that a man and a woman were suitable companions, coworkers and a family (Genesis 2:18, 21-24). As husband and wife, God instructed them to propagate the human race (Genesis 1:27-28), which is not possible alone. Likewise, following the worldwide deluge of Noah’s time, God told the four couples who disembarked the Ark, “…Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1 NKJV). This, again, is the business of growing families, not something done alone. Both testaments of the Bible abound with references to married life. God approves of marriage and detests sexual relationships outside of marriage. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Marriage is the proper way to address one’s natural physical attraction to the opposite sex (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). However, the apostle Paul was not only unmarried, but he also recommended that marital status to others, too. “But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. For I wish that all men were even as I myself…” (1 Corinthians 7:6-7). In addition, the same apostle acknowledged that because of …

Did Jesus Put a Curse on a Fig Tree?

Someone asked, “Did Jesus put a curse on a fig tree?” The implication may be that somehow our Lord acted in an unbecoming way and was worthy of censure. Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it. … Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21 NKJV) Yes, Jesus did put a curse on a fig tree. The incident was symbolic of coming divine retribution or punishment upon wicked humanity at the conclusion of the longsuffering of God (2 Peter 3:9-12). Of all Jesus’ miracles, only this one was a curse. It was absolutely necessary that Christ’s miracles should attest the ultimate judgment of God upon evil works. Otherwise, it could have left an impression that divine power would be used only to heal, help, and bless man. The lesson of the fig tree, however, proves that God will eventually judge mankind and punish wickedness. Since the time had not yet come for the pouring …

The Sound of Silence

It is early in the morning and the silence is deafening! The house is too quiet. There is hardly any noise in my neighborhood. I miss hearing the school buses that are normally picking up children; and there is not any traffic on the nearby street that leads to the high school! This is my quiet time for prayer and study, but it is just too quiet! Simon and Garfunkel sang the song, “The Sound of Silence,” which has remained one of the most popular songs over the decades. It was based on the biblical passage, I am sure, found in Ecclesiastes 3:7, “A time to keep silence; A time to speak.” Yet, there is a verse of Scripture found in Habakkuk 2:20 that is profound and needs to be understood in its immediate context. The writer was contrasting the reality of a living God with idols made of wood and silver, which are lifeless and cannot speak. In verses 20, 34 we read, “But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him” (ESV). In the Old Testament the Temple in Jerusalem was where the presence of God could be found. However, the apostle Paul said, as recorded in Acts 17:24, that the Lord “does not dwell in temples made with hands.” Paul also said that God “is not far from each one of us!” (Acts 17:27). In Psalm 139, we learn there is no place we can be but that God is there! While …

Manna from Heaven

The Lord God of their fathers heard their cry and delivered the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt. He had worked many wonders in their sight, and they had seen his mighty power. It would not be unusual had we seen the things they had seen to develop the utmost confidence in God, or at least we would like to think so. Yet, they who had lived through some of the most momentous events in all human history still harbored doubts in their hearts. Time and time again, God had showed His power over nature and the might of armies, and yet, still, they did not trust Him. He had sent them a redeemer in Moses. He had brought them out of their land of bondage where they had suffered for hundreds of years beneath the cruel whip of the Egyptians. They had seen their mighty, seemingly invincible, foes cast down before them and the gods of Egypt humbled before Jehovah the God of their forefathers. Despite all that had happened to them, they still grumbled. In Exodus 16:3, they said, “Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Here was an outrageous suggestion that their salvation was a conspiracy between God and Moses to starve them to …

Who Made Your Mouth?

“Who made man’s mouth?” was the question that God asked Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 4:11). God had commanded Moses to be His spokesman before Pharaoh and the people (3:10-11, 13-18). Moses, however, began to make excuses why he could not do it (4:10). As is demonstrated in the verses that follow, God, being the Creator of man’s mouth, knew what Moses was capable of doing with his mouth. As biblical history bears witness, Moses became a great leader who often spoke to Pharaoh and to the people of God. I would like for us to consider some spiritual truths about the mouth that God created. Potential to Be Used for Good Man and his mouth were created by God with great potential for accomplishing good. That is what God desires of us. Good uses of our mouth include: Speech Can also BeUsed for Evil Purposes Man has often disappointed His Creator by doing or saying things that he ought not do or say. When you hear what comes out of some mouths, you would think that Satan made mouths instead of God. Jesus said, “Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give …

For Our Eternal Good

“All things work together for good,” the text says. Yet, how do shut doors in my face, hunger pangs that won’t go away and fear of debilitating or deadly disease help me? The answer is in Hebrews 12:9-11. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Did you get it? God uses troublesome times as discipline to train us (Romans 5:1-5) so that we might be partakers of His holiness. That’s Heaven, people! God is putting us through our paces to get us ready for glory! Now, God wants us to enjoy life here, for sure (1 Timothy 4:8; 6:17), but ultimately, the good He has in mind for us is Heaven itself. God is determined that we do not miss it (2 Peter 3:9). He will do for us and to us whatever it takes for us to learn how to get there, if we will cooperate (Ephesians 1:11-12). This helps us see things differently, doesn’t it (James 1:2-4)?

What Did You Come to See?

Sometimes our expectations are not met, which can be discouraging. When we examine what has happened, it may be that our expectations were off. Take for example what Jesus said of John the Baptist. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. (Luke 7:24-28 NKJV) John was none of the things that people might have expected. John was a unique individual with a unique role. He was considered the greatest among the prophets, but he was lesser than the least in the kingdom. How could this be? The prophets’ messages included a forward-looking view to the coming of the Messiah, but John was the appointed harbinger of the Messiah’s arrival (Matthew 3:1-4). Since John died before the Messiah’s kingdom was established, he was not in the kingdom. So, the reference to “least” and “greatest” was one of …

A Hoary Head Is a Crown of Glory

October already! One of the distinguishing marks of autumn is aging plants with their browning edges and “age spots” on the leaves. They show the marks of survivorship, but no one admires these badges of courage. The bug-bitten, missing chunks of leaves; the dry, bent stems and the faded blooms are never met with appreciation for what the poor plant may have experienced. Inside each of these seemingly ugly old specimens is a story of its life in the garden. Sometimes, it also holds a seed, bulb or rhizome of a new plant that will strike wonder in our hearts next spring. We rarely look beyond the homely surface, though. A few of my irises developed a disease and had to undergo surgery to remove the diseased parts. Then, they were left to dry completely. A couple weeks ago, I found some of the dried-out roots and planted them in pots. Later, I almost mistook them for empty pots before I saw the sad little iris root near the top of the soil. As with the elderly, these shriveled roots hold a beautiful life within, but they sure don’t exhibit this at first glance. A young lady of my acquaintance insists that she does not like being around old people. “They smell. They look strange. They dress weird.” Those flamingo pink, polyester, elastic-waist pants paired with the teal shirt may not make it onto the cover of Vogue, but underneath that peculiar exterior may reside a soul that has grown from …

Would Jesus Have Wanted to Eat with You?

I saw that question earlier, and my mind at once scattered into so many different directions and to all the many lessons that could be taught starting with that one question. I thought about Luke 19 and the story of Zacchaeus, the tax-collector Jesus spotted and to whom He said, “Come down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (vs. 5 NIV). The crowd’s only interest was that Jesus had chosen to dine with a sinner. Then, I thought about Luke 16 and the “rich man, clothed in purple and fine linen who feasted sumptuously every day” (vs. 19 ESV). It is clear that the victor in this lesson was Lazarus, the man covered with sores, who desired to be fed with the scraps that fell from the table of the rich man (vss. 20-21). I thought about all the lessons we can learn concerning humility and that Jesus is interested in saving sinners, not entertaining the “righteous.” Maybe your answer is found above, but when I thought a little more, I found my own answer. If Jesus told me to stop what I was doing immediately, that He must come to my house to stay today, I’d be worried that all of my clothes weren’t hung, my floors weren’t swept and I have dirty dishes in the sink. I thought about the possibility of feeling overwhelmed because of all the work I have piled up I need to do. My “to do” list is often large, and to …

The Pink Fairy Armadillo

On day six of creation, God created the beasts of the earth (Genesis 1:25). Among beasts that God created is one on the extreme end of its family tree, the pink fairy armadillo, also called a “sand-swimmer” because it is said to move through soil as fast as a fish swims in water. It is an animal that deserves a better understanding of its physical features and lifestyle. Let’s look into the life and features of this “beast of the field.” The pink fairy armadillo is the smallest member of armadillo family, only being 3.5 to 4.5 inches long and weighing about 4.2 ounces. Its life is spent in the deserts of central Argentina and can be found inhabiting sandy plains, dunes and scrubby grassland habitats. It gets its name from the pink color of the shell, which comes from underlying blood vessels that show up through the shell, giving it a pale rose or pink color. The pink fairy armadillos have small eyes, silky yellowish white fur and a flexible dorsal shell that is solely attached to its body by a thin dorsal membrane.  This animal is nocturnal and lives largely alone. It has a diet of mainly insects, worms, snails and various plant parts that it finds chiefly by the sense of smell and hearing. It’s burrowing ability comes from its two front claws, which are very strong and very tough. Heavy storms and rainfall will force the pink fairy armadillos to come out of their burrows where …

While It Remained, Was It Not Your Own?

“While it remained, was it not your own?” Underpinning Peter’s declaration to Ananias in Acts 1:4 is a significant truth. God has placed into each person’s hand something over which he is a steward. For one person, it might be possessions. For another, it may be time or abilities. For still someone else, he or she may be a steward over children. What remains true irrespective over what one is a steward is the reality that we are all stewards. Every person should recognize stewardship as fundamental to God’s expectations for our lives. Jesus spoke of stewardship in Luke 12. Verses 42-44 reads, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.” Jesus spoke this to Peter after delivering a parable about the coming of the Lord and declaring, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:40). Everything in creation and even the very breath in our lungs belong to God. The particles of the universe down to the lowest level belong to God. They are His creation. Hebrews 1:1-3 reads, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, …

Remember Me

For the most part, all of us want to be remembered. We want our family members, our friends and those with whom we are acquainted to recognize us. We want folks to talk to us. We don’t want to be ignored because we are not in the well-liked or well-known group. We may be shy and not up to par in many respects, but please “remember me.” “I think that’s what we all want, in the end. To know that we left footprints when we passed by, however briefly. We want to be remembered. So remember us. Please. Remember us” (Lancaster). Even the most prominent people in the annals of history are forgotten. Out of mind and with the passing of time, many even within their own lifespans are forgotten. It is strange that evil people often are remembered and good people are forgotten. Hitler is an example of such evil remembrance. The forgetting of Joseph with all he accomplished and Pharaoh making him ruler over Egypt is very sad. “Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph” (Exodus 1:8 KJV). This is proof that men have short memories when it comes to remembering. When all forsake us and forget us, our God will remember. “Nehemiah 13:31: ‘Remember me, O my God, for good’—The best services done to the public, have sometimes been forgotten by those for whom they were done, therefore Nehemiah refers himself to God to be recompensed by him, and then doubts not …

Your Fathers Tempted Me Ten Times

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews encouraged Hebrew Christians to remain faithful to Christ. These Christians were being influenced to go back to the Old Law. The writer warned Christians that disobedience brings negative judgment from God. Hebrews 3:8-9 reads, “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.” The specific reference is to Exodus 17 and is a quote of the Septuagint of Psalm 95:8. It describes one of the times after the Israelites came out of Egypt that they complained to God. In Numbers 14:22, God told the Israelites they had tempted Him ten times. Because of the ten times (which is the same number of plagues that God had brought on the Egyptians), God would make them wander for a total of 40 years. (Deuteronomy 2:14 says it was 38 more years from the time God made His statement of condemnation.) God does not specifically mention the ten incidents. However, there are ten incidents recorded (Exodus 6:9-12; 14:10-12; 15:23-26; 16; 17:1-7; 32; Numbers 11:1, 4-33; 12:1-15; 14). We do not know if these are the exact ones that God meant, but it is curious that Moses recorded these. The point is still true: God is patient but will bring negative judgment on those who disobey. He did so under the Old Covenant, and He will do so under the New Covenant. Study your Bible. Learn …

Our Prayer for All

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, we are encouraged to have a specific kind of prayer life. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” What do we see when we look at this verse? I think most of us see the need to pray. We daily try to include our friends, family, fellow Christians and people in authority in our prayers because we know how important it is to pray for them. What are a few other lessons that we can learn from this text? I want to draw our attention to the phrase, “all people.” There are people in this world who we have never met. Some live in other countries, and some live just down the street. They need our prayers. Then there are people who we have met but with which we do not get along very well. Yes, even our enemies need our prayers. Then, there are the people who we thought were doing okay, and we sometimes just forget them. This list often includes our family, friends and fellow Christians. Let us not assume that just because we do not see something bad …

Come Home

Christians have the responsibility of choosing to be a lifelong follower of God. There are examples in the New Testament of people who at one time chose to be followers of Jesus, but at some point, they drifted from that path and chose different gods. Those are negative and seemingly hopeless choices. However, there is the possibility of coming home to God. Throughout both testaments of the Bible, some people made poor choices, but there are also examples of people learning from their mistakes and coming back to God. For instance, the prodigal son willingly left his father’s house for the far country, but when that choice fell apart, he went home. Hoping to be made a servant, nevertheless, his father reinstated him as a son (Luke 15:22-24). Likewise, after Peter denied Jesus three times, hope was not lost for Peter. He repented and played a major role in the early days of the church. Consider also that when Simon the Sorcerer wanted to buy the ability to confer the Holy Spirit, Peter and John told him he needed to repent (Acts 8:22). Wherever you are and whatever you’ve done, as long as you live, you have the chance to come home to God. He is waiting. Come home.

Kill Me Now

“God, please just kill me now!” Does it surprise you that the sentiments behind this statement, if not the exact words, were uttered by at least four of God’s Old Testament prophets? Why would Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah and Jonah make such devastating statements? What was God’s response? How does any of this apply to you and me today? The Statements Numbers 11 records one of many occasions the children of Israel grumbled and complained as they wandered in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. This time, the Lord destroyed some of the people by fire for their complaining. However, God’s children did not learn their lesson. They complained about the food God provided for them. The text records: Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased. So Moses said to the LORD, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ I am not …

Encouraging One Another During This Trying Time

What can we do to encourage one another during this time of the coronavirus pandemic? We can call, write notes, send cards or postcards, etc. What have you done to be an encourager? One sister in Christ sent postcards to every member of her congregation since the lockdown because of the virus as encouragement to her brothers and sisters in Christ. I am not sure how many are in attendance there, but I am sure this was not cheap. Glory be to God for her thoughtfulness. There have been a lot of women from churches making masks for those of us who do not sew. In our congregation, we had at least two ladies making masks for anyone who needed them. This was thoughtful. They did not take any money for doing this good deed. Others provided the material. This was their part as they do not or cannot sew. So, you see these are encouraging things that can be done. You can take food to older people or to those who are sick. You do not have to go into their houses. Just knock and leave the food on the porch. Then, they can come out without any contact. If you do not want to take the food, you can call a restaurant that delivers in their area and have a meal delivered to them. What else can we do to encourage each other? How about the use of Facebook? This is a very good way to keep in …

How to Show Our Children that We Respect Them

Having just returned from a meeting in Florida, and preparing to leave for one in Alabama, I found a request from Brother Warren to have this article on his desk in about 20 days. So, I suggested to my wife, Tomijo, that she write it, and I would review it and take credit! I thought that would be appropriate, since most of the credit I have received over the years is due to her anyway! She declined but did suggest most of the points herein discussed. My invitation to her was actually an illustration of our first point. In Matthew 25:14-30, we find a principle that illustrates how to show our children (or wives) that we respect them. That is, ask for the accomplishment of a difficult or challenging task, commensurate with their ability or talent. Have and express to them a “you-can-do-it” attitude. When we expect the best from them, we not only show them respect, we teach them God’s will regarding work and help them to have a good self-image. Second, give special privileges on special occasions, when special efforts are made or as goals are achieved. One needs to be careful not to do this in such a way that it seems to be a bribe to do good or to be good. Yet, it is important to show proper respect and appreciation in this way. Third, in Matthew 25:23, the lord in the parable says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We need to praise work …

Ancestral Religion, Is It Safe?

A lady a few years ago actually stated to me at the funeral of her father: “If my daddy is in hell, then I want to go there because I love my daddy and want to be with him.” Consider four thoughts about her statement: (1) I didn’t conduct the funeral. (2) She was a member of the church where I preached. (3) She knew that the Scriptures teach that “…those who know not God, and that obey not the gospel shall suffer punishment even eternal destruction from the face of God, and the glory of His might” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). (4) Her father was not a Christian, though he knew what the Scriptures taught about the need for and the way to become a child of God. This brings forth the question: “Does or will ancestral religion save the believer of it? In short, will such a religion put one into an acceptable relationship to Almighty God?” Notice the following. A few years ago, Mr. Tiger Woods had some sort of problem in his marriage that caused quite a stir among those who followed him in his golf career. In an attempt to explain some things to those who were evidently encouraging him to “Read the Bible and ask God to forgive him and become a Christian,” he stated in a speech before the television cameras something to the effect that he was a worshiper of Buddha and that he was not a Christian. This leads to a couple …

It Depends in Whose Hands It Is

I heard a similar topic on the Internet the other day. I used the same title, but the comparisons are different. I am using sports in which I am interested. If I hold a baseball in my hands, it might be worth $3.00. If I put a baseball in the hands of Joey Votto, who plays for the Cincinnati Reds, it is worth about $21,000,000 a year. It depends on who holds the baseball. If I hold a football in my hands, it might be worth about $11.00. Now, if this football were placed in the hands of Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it would be worth about $87.4 million a year. It depends on in whose hands the football is. If I hold a hockey puck in my hands, it might be worth $2.00. Now, if I place a hockey puck in the hands of Sidney Crosby, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, it is worth about $8.7 million a year. It depends in whose hands the hockey puck is. If I hold in my hands a golf club, it is worth about $50. Putting golf clubs in the hands of Tiger Woods resulted in career earnings of $800,000,000. It depends on who holds a golf club. If I hold five loaves of bread and two fishes in my hands, I might eat the two fishes and a small amount of bread with some left over. With five loaves and two fishes in the hands of …

We Can’t See the Picture When We Are in the Frame

The title of this article is by no means original with me. I was immediately captivated recently when I read this statement in a devotional thought taken from Revelation 3:17. A devotional writer made this observation. “We can’t see the picture when we are in the frame. Likewise, we do not know who we truly are until the worldly things we have come to depend on for comfort and security are taken away. At that point we will know if who we thought we were is really who we are.” Revelation 3:17 reads, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.’” Jesus said they did not know, and therefore, they never saw this starkest, most scathing reality check coming! Jesus used five of the bluntest and most graphic descriptions imaginable to Christians in His condemnation of their shabby spiritual state. The church at Laodicea was the only one of the seven churches of Asia that Jesus outrightly condemned for who they thought they were. They imagined they were a people who were rich, abundant in possessions and in need of nothing. Jesus said to them in Revelation 3:15-16, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot, I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth.” They were lukewarm, self-satisfied, felt self-sufficient and were …

The Grace of God

Good things are on our list of things to possess as our own. Rare is the individual who does not want to get good stuff, even if in a limited measure and quality. Perhaps some folks perceive a greater measure of “stature” by possessing good stuff. Well, then, what about the grace of God? Is it not what we should seek to possess? Yes, of course. Therefore, consider that the mediate Source of grace flowing from the Father’s throne is the Son of God (Romans 1:5). Our assurance that divine grace will be extended to all men (Titus 2:11-12) is evidenced both prophetically and by promise (1 Peter 1:10; Zechariah 12:10). The grace of God serves distinct and wonderful purposes, including our personal salvation (Ephesians 2:8), our justification (Romans 3:24), our receipt of the imputation of righteousness (Romans 5:15-17), our sufficiency in all things (2 Corinthians 9:8), our abounding to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8) and our receipt of the gift of eternal life (Romans 5:20-21). Knowing that such blessings flow from the grace of God, let us endeavor to access this grace in a divinely approved manner and in accord with the expressed Word of God. Surely, the grace of God may not be accessed in any other manner. Grace is worth our obedience.

What Isaiah Would Preach Today

Isaiah was a prophet of God who preached in the 8th century B.C. He has been called the most majestic of the prophets as he wrote in eloquent and captivating language to his audience. He preached in Jerusalem during the reign of several kings (Isaiah 1:1). While Isaiah’s preaching differed from preaching today, because his message was inspired by God, there are still many similarities. Likewise, we must base our preaching upon the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 4:11). There truly is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Isaiah was a powerful preacher in his own era, and his messages still have application today. As we read through the Book of Isaiah, notice some of the major themes in his preaching and some of the things he would say if he were still preaching today. There is a sense in which as we read this book, apply it to our lives and share it with others that although he is dead, he is still speaking (Hebrews 11:4). God Doesn’t Accept All Worship Sometimes people have the mistaken idea that God will accept whatever they offer to him as worship regardless of how it is presented. Isaiah would tell people today just as he told them in ancient Israel that this is not true. Isaiah rebuked people for offering up worship to God while mistreating people who are made in His image (Isaiah 1:11-15). God would not continue to accept their worship while they did not …

The “Abba, Father” Relationship

Conscientious Christian parents in blended families know first-hand the challenge of establishing close parent-child relationships with children they have not nurtured from the womb up. Differences in maturity, cultural backgrounds and past experiences of those involved all play into the depth of relationship that is possible, no matter how much deeper the parent or children wish the relationship were. Thankfully, the spiritual children of God are guaranteed the closest, most intimate relationship with their Father, no matter the earlier life they lived outside of Christ. Paul wrote to the church at Rome, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15). The fact that faithful Christians “cry out, Abba, Father” gives great insight to the relationship they have with God. Let us examine the relationship conveyed by the ability to say “Abba, Father.” Based Upon Receivingthe Holy Spirit Receiving the Holy Spirit through obedience to God’s Word makes this “Abba, Father” relationship possible (Romans 8:1-14). Paul wrote about this Holy Spirit. First, consider who the Spirit is not. Paul said that we “have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear.” In both parts of the verse, “have received” points to an action completed in the past, which must refer to their baptism (cf., Acts 19:2-3, “received…believed…baptized”). The Spirit that Christians receive is not “a spirit of slavery leading to fear again” (NAS). The bondage of sin is what leads to …

Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid

I don’t remember from where that line came—“Be afraid. Be very afraid,” but I do remember this. It was said to someone who was blissfully unaware of the terrible danger that lurked ahead. Solomon, in Proverbs 1:7, penned that we should “fear God.” This is a powerful word, and in the Greek Septuagint is the word phobos (which then becomes “phobia” in English). While some think the word means “respect,” it actually is a lot more than this. There are other words in Hebrew that convey the idea of respect. Actually, the word means “fright, to be terrified, to be afraid.” In Exodus 20 when the Israelites were surrounding Mt. Sinai, God showed His awesome presence through thunder, lightning, earthquakes and a powerful voice. It scared the Israelites greatly, which is exactly what God wanted to happen. He said He did this on purpose—to teach them to fear so that they might obey. Jesus equally taught that we should not fear man but most certainly should fear God (Matthew 10:28). He said that we should fear God because of the power He possesses over our lives and our souls. Literally, no one else has that power. So, what does God hope to accomplish by getting us to fear Him? Why did Solomon say this is the “beginning” of knowledge? If we don’t fear the teacher, we’ll not fear His teachings. There is a great day of Judgment coming. It is a “terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). …

Confidently Longing for Jesus

John and Paul both expressed a longing for the Lord. Jesus’ reassuring statement at the end of His revelation to John is, “Surely I am coming quickly.” The response of the exile on Patmos is like a shouted plea, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). Paul’s closing words to the church of God in Corinth include, “O Lord, come!” (1 Corinthians 16:22b). This longing is the undergirding of all faithful Christians. Hebrew converts were reminded that God’s Son “was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). Christians can confidently long for Jesus because He is our Anchor. The inspired penman said, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil” (Hebrews 6:19). We need an anchor to avoid drifting (Hebrews 2:1). Our Lord serves as a perfect Anchor, having offered His blood on the Father’s ultimate mercy seat in Heaven to atone for our sins (Hebrews 8:5; 9:3, 7-8, 12). A confident longing for Jesus also arises from the fact that He is our Forerunner, having gone like a scout to prepare our way to Heaven (Hebrews 6:20a). He told the apostles He would go prepare a place and come back for them (John 14:1-6). He suffered through the agony of the cross to lead the way to our heavenly home (Hebrews 5:7-9). We should …

An Eternal Warranty

Most people want to know about the warranty when they buy something of significant value. Will it last? What will the company’s response be if something goes wrong, if it needs adjusting or if some type of repair is required? I remember years ago when the government changed the conditions of a lifetime warranty to be rephrased as a limited lifetime warranty. It didn’t sound quite the same as it had previously. However, if the company that makes a product goes out of business, the warranty usually is gone as well. It reminds me of something my dad told me years ago. “A promise is only as good as the one making it.” Warranties are only good as long as companies honor them or stay in business to honor them. In like manner, a person’s word is only as good as the integrity of the person. It’s easy to make promises but something else to fulfill them. Many times, excuses follow promises, or the person who made the promise conveniently disappears. Aren’t you glad our God is faithful in His promises? What promises He makes to us! Peter reminds us how wonderful they are. “By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4). Just thinking of what He promised us should cheer any heart. He has promised to be with us always …

During Times Like These

Living in a world filled with uncertainly is like trying to stand in a pool of quicksand, and many are sinking under its pull. COVID-19 has brought a new type of uncertainty and uneasiness to our communities. Almost everyone, in some way, is feeling the effects of this terrible virus. Americans are affected from a shortage of many daily necessities (toilet paper, hand sanitizers, etc.) to increased unemployment as well as store and school closings. Getting through such times, for most, is a great challenge. How can a person possibly pillow his head at night during times like these? Where can we turn amid such uncertainty? Christians can turn to God’s Word in general and Psalm 91 in particular. Would you, Dear Reader, take just a couple minutes to read Psalm 91 and consider some helpful observations from it? Firstly, God is our shadow (vs. 1). “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” When we consider the nature of a shadow, we learn that a shadow is over us and far beyond the spot where we currently find ourselves. As humans, we cannot know for sure what lies ahead of the here and now. What will tomorrow bring? Will I suffer sickness, disease or failure? What a metaphor for the God we serve! God sees more than we can ever see, and God knows more than we can ever know. We can rest easy, even during trying times, knowing that …

To Whom Shall We Go?

There was an occasion during the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ when many of His disciples turned from Him (John 6:41-66). “Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (John 6:67-69 NKJV). Within Peter’s response is the rhetorical question that should resonate with every child of God, “To whom shall we go?” To whom shall Christians turn in the face of every adversity and life challenge, today? To whom shall we go? Mankind in Jesus’ day commonly viewed everything from a physical and a literal perspective, and people were reluctant to make spiritual applications or to appeal to spiritual solutions to their problems and needs. Things haven’t changed much from then to now! To whom shall Christians turn when they face personal health crises and their own mortality? Yes, we can and should avail ourselves of medical treatments to help deal with physical challenges. Yet, ultimately, our bodies wear out, and we arrive at the stage of life when the expression “patch, patch, patch” appears to be the order of the day every day. None of us will get out of this world alive—unless Jesus returns before we expire. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is …