Last Sunday in worship service, the prayer for the day asked that our “petitions may be pleasing” to God. Many of us say prayers often, but how much do we ask God to make us pray as we should? The lessons for last Sunday were about Abraham interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18), being … Continue reading How should we pray?
Category: Series: Ambassadors
Gifts from God?
Gifts from God inevitably bring challenges. Can that be right?? If so, are His gifts really gifts or traps? In the account (not parable) of Lazarus and the rich man, Abraham reminds the rich man, “… in your lifetime you received your good things” (Luke 16:25). Notice the expression “your lifetime”? The rich man collapsed … Continue reading Gifts from God?
A table in the presence of my enemies
Many people are familiar with Psalm 23 and take great comfort in knowing that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Certainly, the Word and Spirit of Jesus (His rod and staff) guide us through this world full of the shadows of valleys of death. But how many of us remember that our Good Shepherd “prepares a … Continue reading A table in the presence of my enemies
In the Lions’ Den
Daniel 6 records the fairly well-known history of Daniel in the lions’ den. Consider how the lions’ den anticipated one of the means by which Christians were executed by the Roman Empire. Then consider how being surrounded by hungry lions is an apt parallel to the experience of honest, faithful people in our time. Here … Continue reading In the Lions’ Den
Opportunity amidst Opposition
Has there ever been a time and place in history where someone wasn’t abusing their power and ability by tyranny? Adam was created to bear responsibility for Eve but instead he misdirected her, abandoned, then accused her (and her Creator) of being at fault. Most people have heard of the reign of terror during the … Continue reading Opportunity amidst Opposition
Do not love the world …
How is the integration of the Word of God into your life going? Have you been able to make progress in putting on the armor of God at the beginning of your day? Have you noticed that you have needed that armor? This week we recall John’s counsel: “Do not love the world nor the … Continue reading Do not love the world …
Romans 1
I recently created and tried out the slide below while teaching Romans in my university classes. The first half of Romans 1 reminds us of the whole gospel, which has made us ambassadors of the kingdom of God. The second half of Romans 1 exposes the dishonesty and consequences of worshipping and serving creation rather … Continue reading Romans 1
Making medical choices
How do we make sense of medical decisions from a godly perspective—which procedures should we pursue, and which shouldn’t we? The Red Pyramid world around us seems full of contrasts and contradictions until we remember the desperation to live in a body in a material world in this time only. Some people spend hundreds of … Continue reading Making medical choices
Peace in an angry world
Why do so many people seem to be so angry or easily angered so much of the time? Is that a question too big to tackle here? Maybe, but how ready people are to be angry and with such ferocity suggest that we should at least get a start on the subject. We know from … Continue reading Peace in an angry world
Living Together before Marriage
In the past weeks I’ve addressed some aspects of modern weddings (you can read about those here and here). Today, let’s consider living together before marriage. Why has it become so common and accepted? The short answer is because living together is easy and speaking against it is hard. The long answer is very long, … Continue reading Living Together before Marriage