Nurturing A Heart like God’s

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Paul once said that “God made David Israel’s king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” (Acts 13:22) What greater thing could be said about any mortal man? Knowing that David too was a sinner, and knowing that the natural condition of the human heart is described as incurably deceitful (Jer 17:9), it is remarkable indeed that God viewed David’s heart with such approval. Having the heart that won God’s approval was no accident, nor a quirk of nature, but really the result of decisions that David made, and habits that he cultivated in his daily life. To nurture a heart that God approves in ourselves we might consider imitating some of David’s daily habits. Continue reading →

Jesus Wept

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John 11:33-38

33 When Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. (NIV)

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When You Come Together

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First Corinthians 11:17-34 addresses the celebration of the Lord’s Supper by the assembled church. The Corinthian church had several problems in connection with this observance, which are addressed in the text. The problems included divisions (18) that involved selfishness and overindulgence by some (21) leading to humiliation of some members (perhaps the poorer members, 22). The problems could be resolved by recalling the purpose and meaning of the ceremony (23-26), re-examining one’s personal motives and attitude (27-32) and showing more consideration for each other (33-34)..

Although Paul mentions neither day nor time for the church meeting in this specific passage, there is a repeated reference to the timing as a planned and specific regular appointment, Continue reading →

The Angel of the LORD

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A multitude of passages in the Bible refer to the “angel of the Lord.” The Lord’s angel is seen doing His work in all kinds of situations and with all kinds of people. Both the Old and New Testaments contain references to the “angel of the Lord.” This work includes comforting (as in Gen. 16:7), instructing (as in Exo. 3:2), punishing (as in 1 Chron. 21:16), rebuking (as in Judges 2:1), rescuing (as in Acts 12:7), and various other duties under the banner of God’s angels being whatever God needs them to be (Heb. 1:7) and “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.” (Heb. 1:14) Continue reading →

Creatures of Light and Darkness

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Who is on the LORD’s side?

Who is on the LORD’s side? That was Moses’ question at Mt. Sinai when Israel was running wild (Exo. 32:25-26), worshiping and celebrating around the golden calf. Continue reading →

What Is Apollos?

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Apollos is mentioned in Acts 18:24-19:1, 1Corinthians 1-4, 16:12, and Titus 3:13

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? (1 Cor 3:5a NASU)

Those seem like fair enough questions, posed by Paul to the Corinthian Christians. What is Apollos? And what is Paul? Regarding himself, Paul had already said, “Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God” (1 Cor 1:1 NASU). So Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. Not just an apostle (one sent) but specifically an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God. Sent by Jesus, according to God’s purpose. Continue reading →

A Few Thoughts with Scriptures about Marriage

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1. Marriage is part of the created order. It is designed to meet a basic human need for companionship and is meant to last a lifetime. By design marriage is to be a harmonious partnership.

Gen 2:18-25 18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Continue reading →

The Second Marriage?

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Jesus taught that, as shown in the creation account, God has always intended for a man and woman to form a lifelong bond in marriage, and not divorce (Matthew 19:1-9). He taught that there is always adultery (sexual sin) in divorce and remarriage (see also Matthew 5:31-32). Jesus said that when there is divorce and remarriage, either the divorce might be a consequence of adultery or else the remarriage results in adultery. But where there is divorce and remarriage there is adultery, either as the cause or the outcome. According to Jesus then, divorce and remarriage always involves sexual sin on someone’s part.

In the Bible there are many stories and teachings about sexual sins and their consequences. Continue reading →

Have You Ever Been Lonely?

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An old song asked the question, “Have you ever been lonely? Have you ever been blue?” Surely every thinking, feeling person has felt lonely and blue. Three thousand years ago the Psalmist appealed to God, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.” (Ps 25:16-17 NIV) Truly, loneliness and depression are appropriately described as anguish and affliction, inflicting deep suffering on those who experience them. It is natural to crave deliverance from loneliness and a troubled heart, and going to one who is greater and who understands and has answers is the way to find relief. Continue reading →

Little Changes and New Beginnings

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2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (NIV)

Eph 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (NIV)

A new calendar is on the wall and we’re all learning to write “2002” on our letters, checks, reports, and so forth. For a year we practiced writing “2001” and now we have to change. Continue reading →