In the first four chapters of Paul’s first Corinthian letter, he dealt with sectarianism and pride amongst his readers. Some were saying, “’I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ’” (1 Corinthians 1:12). In doing so they were exalting themselves above others. This caused strife, and …
Continue reading Received, Not Achieved
The earth rotates, revolves around the sun, and time continues. With the constant change in time there is a constant change in the events of life. These changes in life do not always work to our favor. In fact, the writer of Ecclesiastes explained, “I returned and saw under the sun that – The race is …
Continue reading Christians: Timeless Optimists
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) It is comforting to know that …
Continue reading Facebook: Not to Condemn, but to Save
The world is filled with differences among men – races, cultures, governments, values, etc. Despite all these there are shared things. Among these are the necessities of human life. No matter the race, culture, up-bringing, or values, each member of mankind has the dire need for water, food, and oxygen. Without these elements, among others, …
Continue reading Our Relationship with the Word of God
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (Psalm 136:1, NASB). Psalm 136 is a great manifestation of the constancy of God’s lovingkindness. The concept of “lovingkindness” (ḥeseḏ) denotes the condescension of the transcendent Creator to His creation in love, mercy, goodness, and loyalty in fulfilment of their needs (“mercy,” NKJV; “steadfast love,” ESV, RSV; “faithful …
Continue reading Facebook: “His lovingkindness is everlasting”
There is a vacancy within every man. A cavernous and frigid darkness once occupied with the Presence essential for life, yet emptied by free-will. A creation seen as good, dwelling with the Good (cf. Matthew 19:17), turned to the antithesis, betrayed by one “more cunning than any” (Genesis 3:1). He boasts liberty and offers pleasure while the …
Continue reading What Should I Speak?
“Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7) It is a certainty that …
Continue reading Facebook: “Seek the Lord while He may be found”
“Consistency, thou art a jewel.” We crave consistency, but rarely get it. Even when we do it is understood as a relative concept with varying degrees. Some have differing views on what constitutes consistency, and even that varies regarding the respective context under consideration. Regardless, even when we think we find consistency we inevitably discover …
Continue reading The Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever
John 6 – Jesus, having performed signs on the diseased (v. 2), attracted a great multitude. And as He sat elevated on a mount He saw that famished mass of souls coming toward Him – “in number about five thousand” (v. 10). The perceptive Savior was “moved with compassion for them,” not because of their physical hunger, but “because they …
Continue reading Facebook: Seeking Bread and Fish
Despite the example of the northern nation of Israel (cf. Jeremiah 3:6-10), and numerous warnings from God with calls to repentance, Judah was carried into Babylonian captivity. In 586 B.C., Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. Lamentations is a book of dirges reflecting on the destruction witnessed by the prophet. However, the darkness of the …
Continue reading “Great is Your Faithfulness”