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The Triune God

The living God who created the world and all that is in it has graciously chosen to reveal Himself to mankind.  Though all humanity created in His image was separated from God due to sin, the almighty God donned human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.  Jesus shed His blood on Calvary and rose from the dead according to the Scriptures, and He provided the required price of atonement that satisfies divine justice so sinners could be pardoned and cleansed forever as saints.  By the power of the Gospel the righteousness of Jesus is imputed to us, and we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. As a student of God's word, I relish theology--the study of God.  One thing I have observed is how theological studies that focus on various views, interpretations and doctrinal differences can unwittingly obfuscate what is plainly revealed in the Bible.  Many people have suffered spiritual shipwreck by peering into these subjects because they lost sigh...
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The God of Hosts

Reading God's word every day provides important reminders that guide our outlook and perspective.  We can be so dependent or reliant on our physical senses we neglect to consider ways God works and accomplishes His purposes in the world.  Every day we observe interactions which leave us wondering, amazed or confused, yet nothing is a surprise to God who knows and does all. My evening reading has been in the book of Judges  and the parts of the life of Gideon and his sons picture Bibles rarely cover.  Though Gideon feared God and trusted in Him, he erred by setting up an ephod in Ophrah fashioned from spoils of war that led to people being ensnared in idolatry.  Devoid of godly leadership after the death of Gideon, the people of Israel did not remember God who delivered them from their enemies on every side, nor did they show kindness to Gideon's house.  With the support of the men of Shechem, Abimelech the son of Gideon was proclaimed as king--something his...
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Losing Sight But Gaining Insight

Recently I noticed my ability to focus clearly in my dominant eye suddenly change, so I made an appointment with an optometrist.  It turned out it was not my imagination, for in the six months since obtaining new glasses one of my eyes had changed significantly.  Though unexpected, this was not a surprise as this change aligns with the diagnosis of a rare condition in the optic nerve I received many years ago.  To be sure there were no new problems, I went through a raft of tests which showed no sign for alarm, praise the LORD.  I am thankful to be able to have my vision corrected to see clearly, and God-willing my eyes will continue to serve me well. When I was being fitted for new frames, I spoke with an associate briefly concerning my condition which has no treatment or cure.  I expressed thanks to God for the eyes He has given me, and I will be blessed to use them as long as I can.  The associate shared a story she heard about a wealthy politician whose...
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Forgiving Self?

I had a friend who went to a chiropractor regularly for various adjustments, and for awhile he swore by the benefits he received--albeit temporary.  After time passed, however, he stopped going to his chiropractor due to negative side effects:  his thigh became permanently numb.  When the negative side effects outweighed the benefits of regular treatments at his chiropractor, he began to consider other options.  This illustrated to me how we can undergo treatments based on recommendations of others that do not benefit us in the long run.  I do not use this example as an indictment against alternative therapies or treatments, but to illustrate what offers relief from pain up front can result in numbness.  What was intended to help can lead to lasting harm. What can be physically true concerning therapies, remedies and medical treatments can be applied to our lives spiritually.  When philosophy, ideology or the wisdom of the world are substituted for the...
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Praise the Just Judge

" May sinners be consumed from the earth, a nd the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD , O my soul! Praise the LORD !" Psalm 104:35 When Christians are born again and given new hearts by faith in Jesus, God puts compassion in us for others.  We know what it is like to be without God, in bondage to sin and truly lost.  While some people are naturally caring and feel deeply concerning others who suffer, the transformation Jesus brings causes even the most naturally harsh, unfeeling and careless personalities to exhibit lovingkindness, patience and selfless service of others from a pure heart.  The fact God will judge sinners and the wicked can create a conflict in Christians, for many people we know and love have yet to receive Christ.  The concept of blessing and praising God in light of His judgments can be difficult to navigate. Knowledge of God as revealed in His word is helpful for us to maintain a godly perspective.  Being human ourselves, we are prone to ...
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Teaching By Obedience

The history of Israel provided in the Bible reveals the responsibility God put upon parents to teach their children to know God and walk in His ways by their obedience.  After God reminded His people of His Law given to Moses,  Deuteronomy 5:32-33 tells us:  " Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.  33  You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess ."  Notice the manner of teaching was different than what we are accustomed to in schools or even in churches, where people are given a lecture or a sermon with words:  the way parents were to teach their children was by being careful to do as the LORD commanded them and to walk in all His ways. The LORD God revealed how obedience to His commands would benefi...
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Spiritually Fruitful Again

During the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, people laid garments and joyfully blessed Him who came in the name of the LORD and cheered for God to save.   Mark 11:11 says, " And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve ."  The next morning the Gospel of Mark says Jesus was hungry and went to a fig tree to see if it had any fruit on it.  Jesus did not find any figs but only leaves, as it was not the season for figs.  Interestingly, we read Jesus "answered" and said to the tree, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again."  Jesus took action on the fruitless tree by cursing it, and we see He also took action because of the spiritual fruitlessness in the temple.  The following day His disciples were shocked to see it withered away. Mark 11:15-17 reads, " So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to ...
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