Posts from February 2021

Victimology and THE Victim “He was despised, rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” (Is. 53:3) “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up.” (John 10:17-18)  In a recent…

He’s Human After All And he was very thirsty, and he called upon the Lord and said, “You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised (Judges 15:18)?”  Whether you consider yourself exceptionally gifted or simply average, we all need to be reminded that God is the giver,…

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption… 5.1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph 4:30; 5:1–2) *  I went to school for long enough for it to ingrain some habits.…

Nehemiah’s Priority: Prayer And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord…

Acclaiming Christ Through Stewardship: Onward! “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.” (Mt. 25:29)  Let me begin your morning with what seems like a fantasy question: What if your love for Christ’s work in and for you overflowed to allow you to invest $3 million dollars over a few years to support and build the work of Christ’s…

Testing and Foreshadowing “And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion (Judges 14:8).” Many people have wonderful stories about meeting their in-laws for the first time, but none more interesting than Sampson’s. With his parents by his side, he made the journey to the hometown of the beautiful Philistine he intended to marry. It’s not clear where his parents…

Zayin (Part 7) Ps 119.49   Remember your word to your servant,in which you have made me hope.50 This is my comfort in my affliction,that your promise gives me life.51 The insolent utterly deride me,but I do not turn away from your law.52 When I think of your rules from of old,I take comfort, O LORD.53 Hot indignation seizes me because of…

Praying and Preaching Jesus and the Resurrection Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” So Paul went out from their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. — Acts 17.32-34 Have you ever been…