“Iron sharpens iron” is often used to describe men’s relationships. But what’s it really mean? When something is sharpened, something hard pushes against something as hard or harder. The resistance rubs off the spots that are in the way of a fine edge. Sometimes sparks fly. But there has to be some push back. In 1989 the Chinese government sent tanks to put down a protest in Tiananmen Square. Because of the relationship begun 17 years earlier, Nixon met with…..
My daily devotional plan has me going through 1 and 2 Kings lately. A whole lot of kings of Israel and Judah who were terrible. There were many who lost their kingdoms because, even though they “followed the Lord,” they didn’t get rid of all the “high places” where the people were worshipping and sacrificing to other gods. They were good personally. But they didn’t protect those put in their charge. It took me back to Eden. Adam was given…..
Many are scared of what becoming a Christian might mean. Sometimes it’s the church that scares them. We tell them Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). But we’re telling them it’ll be a burden. And Jesus also said, if you want to follow Him, you have to bear or take up your cross (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27). And the pictures we give of taking up a cross are not…..
If your child has a fever and ear ache, you don’t just give her Tylenol. You give her an antibiotic. Because the fever and ear ache are not the problem. The problem is the infection. Racism, hate, and intolerance are not problems. They are symptoms. Sin is the problem. But you won’t hear that on the evening news. “Sin” is a churchy word. It basically means “missing the mark” of what God wants. But if you look up the definition…..
Most churches now start their services with Praise and Worship music. Some people don’t realize this is actually part of the service, but that’s a topic for another day. Sometimes, though, I notice a certain theme in the music. And it’s probably not what you think. A lot of today’s music follows a pattern of “I got trouble, but God is good.” Often leaders say or pray that people are hurting – sick; depressed; addicted; unemployed; going through divorce –…..
Mary had a little Lamb. He was the Lamb of God. Other than that, what did she do? Not much per Scripture’s nod. She lived about 40-45 years after giving birth to her first child. And what did she do after that? Nothing. Oh, she had some other kids. But the only other things she’s really known for are taking her Son to the synagogue and forgetting Him, and nagging Him into being a wine steward at a friend’s wedding……
I’m thinking today about the US relationship to Israel. I’m not talking politics. And I’m not talking about the country of Israel. I’m thinking of the nation of Israel and similarities with the US. The Word tells us, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring…..
Like money, politics is (are?) a tool of the world – not needed in the spiritual realm. Political spin is taking an element of truth and twisting it to use it the way someone wants. Like a serpent in a garden saying, “Did God not say…” or a devil in a wilderness saying, “it is written…” John 8:31-32 says IF you plant yourself in the Word, then you’ll be able to discern what is truth and what is lie. Then…..
I know. That flies in the face of what your junior high – sorry, I’m dating myself – your middle school science teacher told you. But it’s true. Plants don’t grow toward the light. It only seems like they do. In reality auxin plant hormones make the cells on the shady side of the stem grow longer. The stem bends because the dark side pushes over the light side. Sometimes it can seem that the salvation of someone with a…..
This is part of the punchline to an old joke. I think of it every time I hear a message about how we can’t all be hands and we can’t all be feet. The body needs both. The body of Christ needs us all. Some lost people may need to be hit over the head with a 2×4. Some may need a billboard – “When you’re drowning / In great big waves / Just remember / Jesus saves – Burma…..
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