March 2018 – Page 5

Digging in Deeper: Revelation 20:7-8

March 7, 2018March 6, 2018Leave a comment

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

Hell is hard. Perhaps no orthodox Christian doctrine is as difficult for folks to get their hearts and minds around as is the notion that those who finally reject God will, upon final judgment, spend an eternity separated from Him in Hell. And, I’ll say this as gently as I can: If the doctrine doesn’t give you at least a bit of unease, you may not be paying very much attention to it. Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Psalm 138:6

March 7, 2018March 7, 2018Leave a comment

“For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

God wants to be close to us. There is no one so low who is yet seeking God to whom He is not as close as their next breath. Although He is the high and exalted God, yet He is near to us. He is transcendent, yes, but He is also immanent. Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Proverbs 31:3-4; 8-9

March 5, 2018March 1, 2018Leave a comment

“Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink. . .Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

Do you want to live like a king? Who doesn’t? And yet, what exactly does it mean to live like a king? Most cultures certainly have an answer to that question. It means getting to be wealthy. It mean getting to have whatever–or whomever–you want. It means getting to do whatever you want. It means getting to go to neat places and meet amazing people. It means getting to live like…well…a king. Read the rest…

Morning Musings: 1 John 3:13

March 5, 2018March 1, 20182 Comments

“Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

Make no mistake: If you are a follower of Jesus, the world hates you just like it hated Him. Now, this doesn’t mean that everyone who isn’t one of His followers as well hates you. You may (and should) have friends who are non-believers, some of whom may be very good friends. But, for anyone who is committed to the ends of the world (the elevation of self and the desires of the flesh above all else), they will hate the ends of the kingdom toward which you are working (the elevation of God and the humiliation of self), a hatred which will eventually be worked out through you.

Persecution should never surprise us as followers of Jesus. If we behave as He did, we will be treated as He was as well. This should be a mark of pride, knowing that we are on the right track.

Digging in Deeper: Malachi 1:8

March 2, 2018March 1, 2018Leave a comment

“When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

Malachi was the last prophet of the people of Israel until John the Baptist arrived on the scene to introduce people to Jesus some 400 years later. In other words, he was the last word the people had from God for 400 years. Ancient though he may be, his words could have been written yesterday they are so relevant to issues we are still facing today. Read the rest…