Marching Forth!

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...

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...

" 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 ...

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...

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 ...

Many things Jesus said filled His hearers with amazement, and they marveled.  Our LORD is most credible and His claims were incredible!  Jesus' way of saying things also made an impact on those who listened to Him, for He spoke as one having authority--not as the scribes who cited rabbinical teachings that established precedent.  The chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest Jesus in the temple, and  John 7:45-46 tells us, " Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why have you not brought Him?"  46  The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man !" When curiosity was provoked in people, the words of Jesus provided clarity.  After a young man went away sad from Jesus because he was unwilling to part with his money and possessions for Christ's sake,  Mark 10:23-27 reads:  " Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, " How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kin...