Two Major Differences Between the Bible and Other Religions of the World
This time of year highlights two significant differences between the Bible and other religions of the world. The first major difference between the Biblical Jesus and the other religions of the world is that in the Bible salvation is by grace through faith and not of works (Eph. 2.8,9). It is a gift of God. [...]
What Time is IT?
Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time for everything. This chapter contrasts the time between a whole list of opposites (birth/death, planting/harvesting, killing/healing, and many more). Not only is there a rhythm of life, but success also comes from knowing the rhythm and doing what we are responsible for in each appropriate time. [...]
The Courage and Bravery to Wait
In Psalm 27.14 we read that we are to wait patiently for the Lord and be brave and courageous. This raises the question: why are courage and bravery needed in order to wait on the Lord? Doesn’t it seem that courage and bravery are attributes necessary for action? Why would we need these attributes to [...]
Are Children Born Innocent?
This is a question that has raised much debate. Actually not as much these days as it used to – it seems that many have opted in favor of children being born as clean slates and then are ‘soiled’ by the environment around them. Thus, their ‘salvation’ is more of a sense of understanding their [...]
Obadiah Reflections
Obadiah is a book written to the nation of Edom. It and Nahum (written to Nineveh) are the only two OT books written specifically to nations outside of Israel. There are oracles and prophecies against many other nations in the books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah. However, Obadiah and Nahum are the only books addressed [...]
Life and Suffering
In Acts 1.3 we read: He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. After Jesus suffered on the cross and was buried, everyone thought the movement was over. The Jewish leaders were happy they had finally gotten rid [...]
Surrender or Slavery
In Nehemiah 9 the Levites are praying. In their prayer they confess the sins of their forefathers in their wilderness wanderings. In their prayers they acknowledge that the forefathers were arrogant and obstinate. They refused to walk in faith and obey God. When things didn’t add up the way they thought they should, they rebelled [...]
God Still Uses People
In Acts 18.24-28 we read that Apollos was well educated and he knew the Scriptures. He came from a region known for its study of the Scriptures (much of the Septuagint was translated there). In addition, he had great zeal for God and spoke with great fervor. However, he “knew only the baptism of John” (v.25).
Musings on Habakkuk
Habakkuk is the only book of the prophets that starts out by approaching God. He has a question for God–when will he see justice. God responds that justice is coming in the form of the Babylonians.
On Giving Money
I was reading 2 Corinthians 9 this week and a couple interesting things stood out to me. First, Paul was not ashamed to talk about money. I am often hesitant to talk about money. You turn on “Christian” radio or TV (which I rarely do) and you get a good dose of giving pleas. Certainly [...]