“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
This is something we see emphasized more indirectly in John’s Revelation as well. The closer we get to the end of this world, the worse things will get; the worse people will get. Read the rest…
As this new year dawns, I am now six months into this venture. It came after a long period of thinking about it, with much encouragement from several sources, most notably my beautiful bride. Thus far it has proved to be more work than I imagined, but also more satisfying. I love to write and this provides an outlet for that. More importantly, you, the good folks who take time out of your day several times a week to read what I have to say, make it possible. Thank you for your time, your thoughts, and your willingness to share when something has struck your fancy. I am looking forward to what the future brings. Happy New Year! Here is 2018’s inaugural Morning Musing. And stay tuned for yesterday’s sermon this afternoon. We’ll talk about how to have the best new year yet. Blessings to you!
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes in the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
To borrow a bit from an idea that Andy Stanley has been proclaiming for several years, there is nothing inherently wrong with being rich. The problem is that most people who are rich aren’t very good at it. Most rich people think their resources are primarily for them. They think they own them. They think they can do with them mostly as they please. If that’s how you are being rich, you’re not doing it right. Read the rest…
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. . . .It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
Doing things the easy way is always…easy. Unfortunately, we don’t often take the easy way. In fact, I suspect most of us can honestly say we don’t ever take the easy way. But, this doesn’t mean the hard way can’t still turn out good. Read the rest…
“Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.” (ESV)
Growing up in the Midwest, I was used to thunderstorms. We regularly had thunderstorms of all kinds. There were gentle storms when the thunder rumbled low and long. There were storms with occasional big booms mixed with longer rumbles. And then there were the big ones when the lightning seemed to be hitting close and the thunder blasts rattled the windows. The next morning things always smelled like rain. It was one of my favorite things. Read the rest…
“I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
This is perhaps one of the greatest gifts that God gives to His people. One heart. The NIV renders the Hebrew here “an undivided heart.” How often has a divided heart resulted in trouble in your life? It has done plenty in mine. When our heart is divided, we are trying to give our devotion to more than one thing. That never goes well. As Jesus observed, when we try that we invariably wind up hating one thing at the expense of the other. Read the rest…
The Nexus 