I was thinking about talents, aptitude, skill, expertise, ability, which we all have to a certain degree. It’s much easier to consider what we cannot do, particularly, as we look around at others demonstrating various abilities that seem great. Scripture reminds us how small or lowly we are in a world of forces and spirits… Continue reading True Greatness
Category: Theology
Christ’s Approach to the World
"And ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 'Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone… Continue reading Christ’s Approach to the World
Civil War Again
The internet confirms a high percentage of people think a second civil war is possible in America. All of the subsequent speculation is about which states or sections of the nation would be involved. There seems to be a universal assumption that the “Far Right” would initiate the Civil war against the “Government” and the… Continue reading Civil War Again
The Lord My Rock
“Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees? The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.” (Psalms 94:20-22) Resurrection Sunday is soon, will the… Continue reading The Lord My Rock
Unlikely Friends
A true friend is a gift from God. Like Wesley said to Buttercup, “…You think this happens everyday.” There are relationships that transcend joint interests and mutual circumstances. Solomon observed, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) He framed the… Continue reading Unlikely Friends
Time Tested Laws
“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.” Gender distinctions are God given in Creation, designed for our good and the well-being of the human race. The Ten Commandments are foundations of civilization setting barriers against destructive behavior and establishing… Continue reading Time Tested Laws
Prophecy Fulfilled
“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19) In the last days prophecy will continue to be fulfilled, just… Continue reading Prophecy Fulfilled
Born of God
"Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God." I John 3:9 "...to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the… Continue reading Born of God
For Money or Not
What activities do you pursue without regard for money? In American society most everything is monetized which means to earn revenue from or convert to money. Some in the church are arrogant in their own righteousness and look down on everyone else. There is money to be had from peddling the word of God as… Continue reading For Money or Not
Love
Have you ever met anyone who doesn’t know what love is? I once saw a movie in which a character maintained love was just an emotion, but that was fiction. I have experienced unselfish love by those who are simply loving people and it is amazing. The Bible teaches that God is love and its… Continue reading Love
A Savior’s Task
My wife and children were certified lifeguards. They watched over children at swimming pools, occasionally aiding a child in distress or danger. We have one who watches over us, even we who are older - Yeshua Messiah. We think of our Savior’s work when we came to faith, were baptized or contemplating our entry into… Continue reading A Savior’s Task
Virtue
"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or… Continue reading Virtue
Worldly Interactions
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and… Continue reading Worldly Interactions
Yeshua’s Return
“They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” Many Believe in Yeshua and some forget He will come again. Its not that they don’t know He will come back, but it seems far off, too distant to comprehend.… Continue reading Yeshua’s Return
King Amaziah of Judah
"And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart." 2 Chronicles 25:2 "After Amaziah came from striking down the Edomites, he brought the gods of the men of Seir and set them up as his gods and worshiped them, making offerings to them. Therefore the Lord… Continue reading King Amaziah of Judah
The Christian Church
“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8) The Church at Philadelphia received these words from the Lord Yeshua and its name means “Brotherly… Continue reading The Christian Church
Believing the Word
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38) When I was a kid, I remember hearing this passage in sermons or when it was read in… Continue reading Believing the Word
Prayer
The scriptures encourage prayer and this is what the congregation of Believers has been about since Yeshua departed in the first century. (Acts 1:14) We don't always feel like praying, particularly when we have turned away from God’s face in self interest. Nevertheless, He is there with us as He was when David brought Bathsheba… Continue reading Prayer
The Eternal Weight of Glory
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are… Continue reading The Eternal Weight of Glory
Our Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalms 23:1) We were talking about the chickens and bees we keep and agreed bees are far more difficult. Shepherding is not simply about feeding, sheltering, protecting and caring for one’s herd, it is fundamentally understanding the animals/insects one is raising. Even in keeping a pet… Continue reading Our Shepherd
Present Judgment
“For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when… Continue reading Present Judgment
Perfection’s Design
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) The Holy Spirit is God, perfect, eternal, infinite, unfathomable, omniscient - everything and more. He has been imparted to men and women who… Continue reading Perfection’s Design
The Savior’s Manger
"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I… Continue reading The Savior’s Manger
Salvage
“This is what the Lord says: 'As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and people say, "Don’t destroy it, there is still a blessing in it," so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all.' ” (Isaiah 65:8) I learned something about myself years ago,… Continue reading Salvage
Messiah In You
I prayed through the night drifting in and out of sleep. I had started upon revival which brought conviction of my own condition spiritually and temporally. I saw weakness and superficiality in my devotion to God. Why didn’t I have faith and strength to attain a consistent desire and pursuit of God? I could find… Continue reading Messiah In You
