In this parable, (Luke 15: 11-32) the younger son asked for his share of the estate. He took his share, left, and squandered all he had received; ultimately he found himself starving in a foreign land during a severe famine. In his desperation he decided to return to his father's house, asking for nothing, but… Continue reading The Prodigal Son
Category: Theology
Fruit Bearing
The parable of the sower, (Matt. 13: 18-23), includes an alarming and critical category of failed seeds; the first is taken by the enemy from the path; the second has no root and quickly falls away when rocks of trouble or persecution come; the third produces no fruit because of the worries of the world… Continue reading Fruit Bearing
Accusations
Have you ever heard accusations in your mind? Are they immediately after some interaction with someone or as a consequence of your own thoughts or actions? Are they out of the blue almost random accusations pointing out your weakness, things you have already confessed from the distant past, or things that you could never make… Continue reading Accusations
Innocent Wise and Sophisticated Foolish
Matthew 10:16 instructs us to be “wise as serpents, and innocent as doves.” Romans 16:19 instructs us to be “wise unto that which is good, and innocent concerning evil.” Ephesians 5:12 instructs us that "it is shameful even to mention what is done (by the wicked) in secret." It is certainly not fashionable today to… Continue reading Innocent Wise and Sophisticated Foolish
Myths on Earth
When we enter into the afterlife we will be free of many lies, conjecture, assumption, misunderstanding, and deception that we held while on earth. For many, the most obvious will be the existence in which we enter, but this will be of no surprise to Christians, as we look forward to it from the beginning; although… Continue reading Myths on Earth
Don’t Boast of Victory if You Haven’t Won the War
In the news and other media outlets, we are fed a daily dose of victorious boasts by radical Islamists and other unbelievers against Christians. Moreover, current and future "victories" in the political arena by anti-Bible activists on social issues against religious liberties are loudly trumpeted. These bullying tactics remind me of a premature boasting by… Continue reading Don’t Boast of Victory if You Haven’t Won the War
God’s Care Sovereign and Particular
To fear God, and to stand in awe of his justice; to trust and depend on him in all conditions; to submit patiently to his will under all afflictions; to pray to him for the supply of our wants, for the relief of our sufferings, for protection and defense; to love and praise him for… Continue reading God’s Care Sovereign and Particular
The Correct Position
I was recently reading Daniel 3:16-18 which tells the story about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They told King Nebuchadnezzar that they would not bow down and worship his golden image and further that they had a God who could save them from the furnace of fire - which was the penalty for refusal. They went… Continue reading The Correct Position
Wisdom in Reply
A response to some proclaimed Atheists is ill-advised, particularly if they are merely trolling for replies, and considering the substance of their arguments and the scriptures. As long as they have breath, there is still hope that God in His mercy will open them to the truth of Yeshua, Messiah through whatever means He may… Continue reading Wisdom in Reply
The Greatest Thing Sought
Eternal life.....movies and books have fantasized about its attainment, Cortez searched the new world for "The fountain of youth". People are seeking to live longer lives and life expectations for populations are increasing.However, who can deliver on such a promise. God alone promises eternal life... and it only in His one and only Son, Yeshua. All through… Continue reading The Greatest Thing Sought
Atheist And Proud Of It, But Why
This is a partial list of celebrities who are purportedly atheist by News N Buzz website and comments attributed to each. It is likely profitable to be atheist in Hollywood, so as to the true heart-felt beliefs of these folks, it is hard to say, and since they are alive, they may yet come to… Continue reading Atheist And Proud Of It, But Why
Ghosts in Hell
C. S. Lewis stated in his book Mere Christianity that "Each day we are becoming a creature of splendid glory or one of unthinkable horror." In his book Perelandra Lewis describes how the Garden of Eden scene might have played out on another planet. A character in the book, Professor Weston, becomes demon possessed and thereafter… Continue reading Ghosts in Hell
The Church in America Today and Tomorrow
The Pew Center did a massive survey in May 2015, generating many statistics, in general concluding that evangelical churches were growing while others were declining. Also, within Evangelical churches “non-denominational” churches were growing significantly. American society as represented in the media is in decline morally and spiritually, aided by liberal judges in the Supreme Court… Continue reading The Church in America Today and Tomorrow
A Quiet Life
There are a number of verses in the Bible that command us to lead a quiet life, to provide for ourselves and to mind our own business. I Thes 4:11 encourages a Christian to lead a quiet life, to mind their own business, and to work with their own hands. II Thes 3:12 commands a… Continue reading A Quiet Life
A Word of Encouragement
You can have greater faith now. Hear, think, remember, read, meditate, pray, seek, ask, inquire about Messiah Yeshua, and as you do listen, faith will rise. Everywhere God is blessing His people, even those who are just turning to Him, those who are weighed down by the cares of this world, the brokenhearted, those in… Continue reading A Word of Encouragement
A Prisoner of God
The following passage from the Bonhoeffer biography by Eric Metaxas really spoke to me. Hitler had just came to power (by popular election no less) but had not as yet gained complete power and had to use persuasion to accomplish what he later accomplished by decree. He was attempting to get the Church to come… Continue reading A Prisoner of God
Feelings vs Mental Assent
These are two aspects of faith and they offer much to debate and divide those who favor a particular view. In revival we see each in operation, but mental assent is much more difficult to observe than the emotions and associated feelings which flood out in all sorts of expression. Is a particular revival event… Continue reading Feelings vs Mental Assent
God’s Timing
Everything of God is perfect, so when we look at His timing it is amazing. In His timing He can be severe, as well as gracious. When Abraham was asked to offer his only son Isaac as a sacrifice, immediately after God stopped Abraham, he supplied a ram that was caught in a thicket for… Continue reading God’s Timing
Praying Without Ceasing
I Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us that we are to "pray without ceasing". But how is this to be accomplished as we go along in our daily lives? The great confederate general and devout christian Stonewall Jackson once explained how he implemented this in his life after a friend complained about the difficulty of obeying this… Continue reading Praying Without Ceasing
Recognizing the Holy Spirit
The critical issue in our Christian walk is will we be led by the Spirit or by self, human will, skill, thought, ego, imagination or other motivations. How is the distinction made - even when it is acknowledged to be wholly critical? Here is a list (in no particular order) based on scripture and illustrated… Continue reading Recognizing the Holy Spirit
A Vision in Worship on Easter Sunday
I saw an athletic event at an outdoor stadium. The athletes were highly skilled and the competition fierce. There were many spectators cheering for the champions. As the event neared its conclusion, a weaker participant faltered and fell. Falling to the field he was broken and defeated. The crowd was silent and seated bearing with… Continue reading A Vision in Worship on Easter Sunday
Brokenhearted Sinner
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is known for his opposition to Hitler ending in his martyrdom and also for great works he published including "Costs of Discipleship". However, before these events, right after he obtained his doctorate and became eligible for the ministry, he accepted a position in Barcelona Spain for one year. There he had opportunity… Continue reading Brokenhearted Sinner
Fear God and Live
What truth we know is from God; some directly via written form and other via individual revelation. Other information, mostly erroneous or out right untruths abound from suggestions of the enemy and imaginations of men. Truth is not time sensitive as current thinking claims and asserts, based on changes in fashion and various so-called technologies… Continue reading Fear God and Live
Reaching the Lost
In Mark 10:17-27 we see the story of the Rich Young Ruler which is instructive as to the proper way to reach out to the lost. We must make it clear that a person has to accept God on his terms. Also, once the terms are presented, in this case the demand to sell all… Continue reading Reaching the Lost
One Child’s Glimpse of the Kingdom
Unless you become as a child you will never enter into the Kingdom of God - Matthew 18:3 My first memories are when I was four or five. I have considerable access to photographs and some of these early one's may have influenced what I actually remember. I believe this was minimal although this is… Continue reading One Child’s Glimpse of the Kingdom
