A Time to Retch

      Comments Off on A Time to Retch

As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.

Proverbs 26:11 NIV

Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”
2 Peter 2:22 NIV

In his review of the movie “Hannibal” Roger Ebert wrote, “we must give it credit for the courage of its depravity.” Further along in the review Ebert noted that “many still alive will recall when a movie like this could not be contemplated, let alone filmed and released. So great is our sophistication that we giggle when earlier generations would have retched.” Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest

In Jesus’ Name

      Comments Off on In Jesus’ Name

1 Tim 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. NIV

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it NASU

There is a general principle in Christian prayer that it is usually directed to the Father in the name of Jesus. Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest

Homosexual love?

      Comments Off on Homosexual love?

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1 Thess 4:3-8 NIV

It is difficult to have a reasonable discussion of homosexuality because of all the rhetoric in our times coloring and disguising the issues. To describe homosexual acts as wrong or sinful invites being labeled homophobic or bigoted or worse. Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest

Church Government

      Comments Off on Church Government

gov-ern v. gov-erned, gov-ern-ing, gov-erns. –tr. 1. To make and administer the public policy and affairs of; exercise sovereign authority in. 4. To keep under control; restrain. 5. To exercise a deciding or determining influence on. (The American Heritage Dictionary)

gov-ern-ment n. Abbr. gov., govt. 1. The act or process of governing, especially the control and administration of public policy in a political unit. 2. The office, function, or authority of one who governs or of a governing body. (The American Heritage Dictionary) Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest

Egypt and Israel Prophecy and Symbol

      Comments Off on Egypt and Israel Prophecy and Symbol

“Egypt will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the other nations. I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations. Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.” (Ezek 29:15-16 NIV)

The Arabic people of Egypt today call their land Misr. This ancient name is found all through the Hebrew Bible, starting in the “table of nations” where we read about “the sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan” (Gen 10:6 NIV). Mizraim, the ancient Hebrew and Canaanite name of Egypt, is found throughout the Hebrew text, Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest

For Example

      Comments Off on For Example

How do Christians know what they are supposed to be and do? How do we come to know what God’s will for the Lord’s church is? How can anyone be sure what in the scriptures is meant to be binding and what is merely background material or circumstantial events?

The concept of “speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent” can be somewhat slippery, in terms of consistent application. Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest

Competence From Heaven

      Comments Off on Competence From Heaven

Mooooo Two cows were grazing in a pasture when they saw a milk truck pass. On the side of the truck were the words, “Pasteurized, homogenized, standardized, vitamin A added.”
One cow sighed and said to the other, “Makes you feel sort of inadequate, doesn’t it?”
From John Maxwell’s book The Winning Attitude: Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest

The Kings Father In Law

      Comments Off on The Kings Father In Law

Elnathan was a nobleman, a royal official, and a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah, and the kings Josiah, Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin of Judah. He is mentioned several times in the books of Jeremiah and 2 Kings. Elnathan was the son of Acbor (Jeremiah 36:12), an officer in the court of King Josiah. Acbor was one of the men Josiah sent to consult the prophetess Huldah when the Book of the Law was found during renovations in the temple (2 Kings 22:11-14). Others mentioned in the list of those Josiah sent to Huldah were highly trusted associates of King Josiah, and that was most likely true of Acbor as well, he was a trusted official in the administration of one of Judah’s most godly kings, and was involved in Josiah’s reforms and religious restoration efforts. Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest

The Appointment of The Ephesian Elders

      Comments Off on The Appointment of The Ephesian Elders
  1. Paul’s first visit to Ephesus in Asia was while on his way to Syria, a return to Antioch where his journey(s) had begun.
  2. Acts 18:18-22, during this visit Paul was in a hurry to return to his home congregation and stayed only briefly. Aquila and Priscilla had accompanied Paul from Corinth and decided to remain behind in Ephesus and apparently preach the gospel there.

Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest

Iddo the Annotator

      Comments Off on Iddo the Annotator

A long time ago, apparently sometime between the reign of Solomon and the destruction of Jerusalem (that is, between the 10th and 6th centuries, B.C.), there was a prophet in Israel or Judah whose name was Iddo. He is mentioned several times in the Bible and must have been quite important, though we know little that is specific about him. Iddo must have been a prolific writer, since his works are cited as providing background information for several of the kings mentioned in the Chronicles (see 2 Chr. 9:29, 12:15, and 13:22). Assuming that Ezra was responsible for Continue reading

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest