By grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone
Parents pray for their children. Job models well: “Early in the morning he [Job] would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular custom” (Job 1:5). We don’t sacrifice lambs or bulls anymore; Jesus took care of that—but pleading […]
God warned Joshua and Joshua warned the people the morning Jericho was to fall: “Keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it” (Joshua 6:18). The command […]
“Why do we do that?” That’s a question that should be asked—and asked often. Successful businesses ask it of themselves; wanting an efficient and streamlined operation. After a visit to the local DMV or post-office, I sometimes wonder if government agencies ask this question enough. Churches and families would do well to ask themselves the […]
I looked behind me and what I saw was a long and winding road; the path from there had brought me here—the road so winding I had lost sight of yesterday—for the latest bend in the road already had hidden it from view. Memories told me where I had been but many details were already […]
God extolls us to control our tongue. “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3); and another: “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity” (Proverbs 21:23). Sadly, our life has plenty of examples where our lips, mouth, and tongue […]
For many of us, Tuesday was a difficult day; the elections not going the way we had hoped and prayed. It appears R-74 will pass; though votes are still being counted. Therefore, it looks as if marriage is about to be redefined; no longer an institution between a man and a woman—in the state’s eyes, […]
I have been reading up on Mormonism lately. Given that one of their members is running for president, I wanted to be able to support and articulate my “Mormonism is a cult” claim—a position I have held for years. I’m even more entrenched today; despite the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association recently removing a page from […]
Consider for a moment what they saw God do to their captors: The Nile turned to blood followed by plagues of frogs, gnats, and flies. Then Egypt’s livestock dies followed by boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and concluding with horrific screams in the night as a nation’s firstborn was no more (Exodus 7-11). Then consider what […]
Anybody ever come up to you and say: “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you”? Anybody ever come up to you after church and say: “God is really among you”? The first statement from an unbeliever to a believer comes from the public square and is from Zechariah […]
Lots of things are clamoring for our attention these days. The political season is in full-swing, a hurricane is causing havoc in the South, and trumping those two for many is the start of the football season this weekend. In the midst of life here, perhaps you missed the news last week that Anders Behring […]
This book review is by Terry Delaney and appears on his website, Christian Book Notes (August 8, 2012). Used by permission. M’Intyre, David M. The Hidden Life of Prayer & The Prayer Life of Our Lord. Hannibal: Granted Ministries Press, 2012. 192 pp. $11.00. Purchase from Granted Ministries for only $7.50. Introduction David M’Intyre (1859-1938) was a […]
“This is the carefree city that lived in safety. She said to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me’” (Zephaniah 2:15). The Assyrians were saying this about themselves. Let’s call their thinking: carnal security. It’s a stupefied approach to life that is satisfied with self. The prophet Obadiah observed it in the Edomites […]