Why doesn’t God just wipe out all the bad people out there? People often complain that the church is full of hypocrites. Why not just round them up and get rid of them, like weeds in a garden or a grain field? However, as Jesus explains, this can have disastrous results. He has a better idea.
It’s not surprising that we like to grumble. However, Paul points out that as Christians, we also groan. And in faith, we can even "pule."
Ancient Israel was hoping to shore up its hope. They were battered by Babylon, taken captive, and brought to live far from home in a foreign empire. However, instead of trusting God, both before and after this event, they were carving idols out of every rock and piece of wood they could find. Do you and I have idols today? Oh, yes, we sure do. So, God invites us to look around, and be reminded, that He alone is our God and Savior.
As Matthew points out, Jesus told His disciples many things in parables. Although a good question might be, “Which things?” Whenever we hear Jesus’ parables, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and lose sight of what He’s telling us. Take for example, the Parable of the Sower.
Save the planet? There are many good habits, useful steps, and things you and I can take to help preserve and conserve the precious resources we've been given. However, as shocking as it may sound, saving the planet isn’t one of them. Now, don’t get me wrong. As someone who loves the outdoors, care of God’s creation is something that I hope is important to all of us. However, there is only One who can, and who has, saved it.
If you’re wondering if it will be nice day tomorrow to mow the lawn, the odds are good that you can count on that forecast you heard on TV before going to bed. However, if you’re planning to head to beach in two weeks, and want to know if it will be sunny, you may as well flip a coin. Now imagine how the people must have felt to hear Isaiah describe what God him store for them – and what they must have thought when they heard the work of His Servant to come!
Have you ever wondered what makes Jesus rejoice? Chances are good that there are plenty of verses that come to mind when you and I consider all those things in which you and I delight and give thanks. But Matthew and Luke tell us of two occasions in which our Savior Himself rejoiced – and in both places it's for the same reason!
Just when you think you’re moving forward, it feels like your taking two steps back. So you try again, and again, and again! Talk about frustration! A few decades ago a game came out with this very name. But Paul describes a similar experience that’s familiar to all of us, and it’s not a game.
There's a specific new truck model set to arrive this Fall and last Spring one automotive group reviewed its features and asked the question, "Worth the wait?" Zechariah recorded a news release, 400 years earlier, describing the Savior who was to come. It was an announcement that would have filled the faithful with hope. No doubt, those who waited in each generation must have look around and asked the question often, “Is this the one? Is THIS the one?” But Zechariah made it clear what features w...
Are you a loser? I’ll bet even hearing that question makes you squirm a little. It may even made you sit up, get defensive and maybe even little angry. After all, we live in a culture which it’s often said,“If you’re not winning, you’re losing.” However, sometimes it’s good to be a loser.
It’s tempting for us, as Christians to fall into the trap of thinking that we’re basically good people and point to all the laws we don’t break as proof. But take a closer look. God’s Law doesn’t affirm what law-abiding people we are. It reveals our sin and our need for our Savior.
“He’s talking through his hat!” Have you ever heard someone use that phrase? It’s one that became popular in the nineteenth century. But it describes an action that's been around for a a lot longer than that and is still practiced today.
Do you know what the most frequently heard imperative is in all of Scripture? It may surprise you. It’s not “Do not steal,” “Do not murder,” or one of the other commandments.
This week finds us conveniently sandwiched between Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, and Independence Day on the Fourth of July. On these dates we celebrate freedom from slavery and tyranny. And here in Romans, Paul alludes to both as he describes what it means for you and me to live this baptismal life.
Musicians have recorded a lot of heartbreak songs over the years. In fact it’s a staple. Jeremiah’s words in this text sound almost like one of those shattered hearts songs. This life isn't all sunshine, roses and rainbows. And like him, we too may our own laments that we want to bring to God.
When a congregation awaits its new pastor it's an anxious time, filled with nervous anticipation, for both the pastor and the congregation. I wonder what he’ll be like? Of course, not all of that speculation is useful. Sometimes, the adversary likes to set our desires off in the wrong direction. Compare our expectations today with some famous figures from Scripture.
Would you rescue someone if you saw them drowning? I think that most of us would want to do everything we could to help some poor, innocent person in distress. However, how would you feel if that person, now safely in the boat assaulted you? Sound ridiculous?
In Exodus, the Israelites listened to Moses as he explained the Law which God gave them on Mt. Sinai. And then, as we hear, “The people all responded together, ‘We will do everything the LORD has said.’” Like the kid in class raising his hand, they all chimed in to let Moses know, “We’ve got this!” It must not have been long after this that they wished they hadn’t said these words. But, in God's grace, there is a welcome question for which we can raise our hands in confidence.
Matthew tells us how the Pharisees turned up their noses when they saw Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners. Whenever I hear this passage from the Gospels, I can’t help but picture the sneering Pharisees as wearing those Groucho Marx masks you can buy at the store – you know, the thick framed glasses with attached eyebrows, plastic nose, and bushy mustache? It’s not hard to find ourselves slipping on that goofy mask, from time-to-time when we turn up our nose at others. But who are we ki...
It’s fascinating to hear that so many of the inventions, that you and I take for granted in our lives each day, were at one time considered to be impossible, ridiculous and doomed to failure. In some cases, even those behind them weren't fully convinced it would all work out. So it’s amazing to hear that when it came to the promise which God had made to Abraham, he didn’t just wish it was possible. He was "fully persuaded" of the outcome. In light of our Savior's resurrection, and God's promises...
When it comes to taxes, it’s not surprising that our fallen culture likes to blur the distinction between compensation and a benefit – between a wage and a gift. So it shouldn’t come as any surprise to learn that the when it comes to our relationship with God, the Adversary also likes to blur the distinction between a wage and a gift. In fact, he’s been using this same, sleazy scheme for generations. Here's why Paul has issued this timely and important bulletin, right here in Romans, to distingu...
At the end of Matthew's Gospel we hear the word "Go!" Jesus has just given the signal, the “green light” for the church to get moving! In love for our Savior, and all that He has done for us in securing our salvation by His death for us on the cross and His glorious resurrection, who isn’t chomping at the bit to do just that? But, hang on a moment, go .. and do what?
You and I can’t help but marvel at how God has revealed Himself to us in His Word. He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit – three distinct persons in one divine being. How do you and I even begin to wrap our heads around that? While acknowledging the details we step back with the disciples and notice how the picture becomes crystal clear.
Here in Genesis Moses recorded, by inspiration of God, how you and I, and everything, came into being. And in summary says, “This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.” Today, many Christians have mistakenly wondered if this announcement is really necessary. But it really is! And here’s why.
Did you know that every Thursday, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, an organization called the U.S. Drought Monitor releases a map showing where drought conditions are found, and how severe they are, across the U.S. and its territories? However, another important announcement comes out every week - in fact each Sunday. The Holy Spirit points us to refreshing good news.
It's not unusual to hear, that when the emergency lines are flooded during a storm, "not everyone who called for help could be reached.” The fact that not everyone can be saved is a sad reality of such situations. But here’s what makes what Peter announced at Pentecost so extraordinary. Everyone who calls on the Lord, without exception, will be rescued from condemnation and the everlasting destruction from sin and be brought safely to eternal life. Everyone.
What God did at Pentecost is remarkable. Underlining the fact that the the Good News of our salvation in Christ is for all people, the Spirit enabled the apostles to preach in the languages of everyone who was present. As much as we marvel at what the Holy Spirit did on this day, we might overlook the ever greater miracle He continues to do this day in our midst.
It's the kind of thing you hear about in movies. Someone searches to find you and let you know that you have received a remarkable inheritance that changes everything. Paul has such an announcement he wants to share with you .. and it comes from God.
Jesus’ ascension assures us, not only of the ongoing and powerful presence of our Savior, but also, that He continues to be active in His ever-growing kingdom and Church. What Luke has recorded is not simply two volumes of a sweeping historical novel, with a compelling narrative of what took place in the past. It points us also to Jesus’ work in our midst today.
Today’s forecast will include “a mix of sun and clouds.” Okay, so which is it? Will it be overcast with rain possible or filled with beautiful, sunshine? How should we plan our day? There's always a certain level of foreboding and uncertainty when you see clouds in the sky. However, with our Savior's ascension, now even a cloudy day bring us to look up in great joy and be reminded of truly comforting and remarkable promise.
