Last week I shared that even though we announce our affinity and assurance about the Word of God (the Scriptures), there will be occasions when we wrestle with questions regarding God’s purposes and plans for our lives as well as the world in which we live. Questions of why, when, what and how are sourced from our souls that are searching for answers. So, are questions acceptable to the Almighty? The answer is yes, absolutely. But what is most important is not whether we should question God, but in what way and what is the motive behind our inquiry.
Read MoreI begin this blog with a question, and I have also cited a Scripture that is shaped in questions. Let’s give some consideration to what is at the heart of the psalmist’s inquiry.
I submit to you that because the psalmist is being pummeled by persecution he petitions for justice. As children and followers of the Most High God we are not exempt from persecution.
Is holy anger appropriate for hostile attitudes toward God and His Word? If so, where should one direct his or her anger and why? We can be certain of the just condition of our anger when it is directed toward what angers God. The Word of God records a plethora of passages where behavior, conduct, things, situations, individuals and nations will be subjected to His anger or His hostile disposition. For instance, one would be wise to take heed of the admonition to abandon or assassinate the following actions unless one wishes to experience the anger of God.
Read MoreAre you aware that there are more than 150 references to the fear of God in the Bible? Although the bulk of these occur in the Old Testament, there are an ample number in the New Testament to persuade us that fearing God is an attitude of heart that we should cultivate today. Being in awe of God or having reverential respect for God is the ultimate power for the prevention for sin.
Read MoreHave you recently given any consideration to what brings you joy or more complete joy? Perhaps this question makes you think of a new spouse, the birth of a child, acceptance into the college of your dreams, a job promotion, an astronomical amount of money that was not anticipated; the list is inexhaustible. Every genuine believer that has been gripped by God’s goodness and grace, however, knows the place of Jesus’s joy in our hearts!! Furthermore, the echo chamber of evangelical deduction decidedly declares the Lord Jesus’s gift of salvation gives us joy down deep in our souls. He is indeed the center of our joy!
Read MoreHave you ever been arrested in your heart and mind (spiritually or emotionally) due to the hostility that the world holds toward the Word of God? If you share that the Word of God perpetually promotes patriarchal leadership in the nuclear family, encourages the exclusivity of matrimony between a man and a woman, supremely supports the sanctity of life, preserves and promotes sexual purity, boldly and unapologetically proclaims that there is only one God, and that Jesus is the only Way to God as well as the Truth and Life: Get ready for an apoplectic assault of accusations by those who belong to their father; the accuser of the brethren!
Read MoreJust recently my wife and I had an exquisite excursion in the Rocky Mountains. As South Floridians we are fixed in flatness and are situated in a sea level environment. We love the sunshine and the sea. However, the mountains created a change of scenery which sang to our souls and guided us to be still and take in the greatness of our God.
Read MoreUsually the opening statement in this passage of Scripture speaks from a soul that is arrested with appreciation or gripped with a generous gratitude. Do you remember telling God that you will never forget what He has done for you? Better yet do you tell him on a consistent basis “I will never forget what you have done for me”? By the way, the practice of blessing the Lord and refusing to forget His favor in our lives purges our prejudices against God. These prejudices are produced by a heart heavy with pride, complacency, selfishness, discontentment, pessimism and a fountain of fleshly issues that pollute our perspective of God.
Read MoreI am sure that a lot of us are familiar with the idiom: “No news is good news.” The meaning of the phrase is that if you don’t hear that something bad has happened, it is probably because nothing bad has happened. But did you ever wonder where this idiom came from or when it was first introduced into our vernacular?
Read MoreIt's been said that love believes the best of everyone and is super swift to do so. On the surface this statement seems safe, sure, and spiritual. However, what sounds safe, sure, and spiritual can oftentimes be strikingly seductive. This is because without any spiritual scrutiny or employing a scriptural litmus test you will be setting yourself up to be dropped in a ditch of deception.
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