Life's Inanities and Ironies

In a world increasingly marked by chaos—wars raging in distant lands, natural disasters striking without warning, and a growing hostility toward the Gospel—it's more important than ever to anchor our faith in the unchanging Word of God. As fundamentalist Christians , we stand on the inerrancy of Scripture , interpreting it literally where it demands and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us through its prophecies. Today, I want to expand on a powerful homily drawn from Luke 21:5-19 , where Jesus Himself outlines the signs of the end times and calls us to endurance. This passage isn't just ancient history; it's a living blueprint for our lives today, reconciled with the broader biblical teaching on the rapture and the Great Tribulation . Let's begin by revisiting the text itself, as recorded in the English Standard Version (ESV) for clarity: > While some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, "As for these thin...

In the rugged wilderness of Judea, a voice echoed with unyielding urgency: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" This wasn't the polished sermon of a temple priest, but the raw proclamation of John the Baptist, a man dressed in camel's hair, cinched with a leather belt, surviving on a diet of locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:1-5). To the casual observer, John seemed utterly strange—an outlier in a world that prized conformity and comfort. Yet, God chose him to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of a voice crying in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3). As fundamentalist Christians who hold the Bible as the inerrant, inspired Word of God, we often find ourselves at odds with modern culture. But Scripture is full of "strange" preachers—men whose lives and methods defied human norms yet powerfully advanced God's kingdom. Drawing from Matthew 3 and other biblical accounts, let's explore seven such figures. Their stories...

 In an age where truth is often bent to fit personal agendas, the Epistle of Jude stands as a beacon for those who hold fast to the unchanging Word of God. As a fundamentalist Christian, I've always found Jude's urgent call to "contend earnestly for the faith" (Jude 3, NKJV) both convicting and empowering. This blog post expands on a recent homily I delivered to our congregation, drawing deeply from Jude while weaving in insights from other Scriptures. It's a reminder that our faith isn't a casual pursuit—it's a battleground where eternal truths are defended against subtle deceptions. The Call to Contend: A Divine Imperative Jude didn't set out to write a warning; he wanted to celebrate "our common salvation" (Jude 3). But necessity compelled him: false teachers had infiltrated the church, perverting grace into license for sin and denying Christ's lordship (Jude 4). This isn't ancient history—it's today's headlines. Think of c...

 In the quiet pages of the Old Testament lies a story that resonates deeply with believers today—the tale of Ruth and Naomi . Drawing from Ruth 1:6-18 , this narrative isn't just ancient history; it's a blueprint for faithfulness amid hardship. As we unpack this passage, we'll see how it mirrors God's redemptive plan, weaving in truths from across Scripture to illuminate its timeless lessons. The Call to Return: God's Providence in Famine Naomi's journey begins in despair. Famine had driven her family from Bethlehem to Moab , a land of strangers and false gods. But upon hearing that " the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread " (Ruth 1:6, KJV), she arises to return home. This echoes God's recurring call throughout the Bible: a summons back to Him when we've wandered. Consider the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 . Like Naomi, the son faces famine—not of bread, but of soul—in a far country. He too hears of abundance at home and return...

 The air in the Temple courts was thick with anticipation, but not for the teaching of God’s Word. Early in the morning, a crowd had gathered to hear Jesus Christ , but the scene was abruptly shattered by a crisis of theological and legal proportions. The "terrifying moment" was embodied by a frantic woman, dragged by the scribes and Pharisees and thrown before the Lord. Her crime: adultery , caught "in the very act" (John 8:4). The stakes were absolute—capital punishment. She was standing, spiritually and physically, at the foot of the gallows, facing the executioner's stone under the command of the Mosaic Law . This scene of impending death captures a truth we must never evade: Before a holy God, every single one of us stands condemned. But this passage is about far more than the woman's guilt; it is a profound confrontation with sin , pride, and the non-negotiable nature of God's grace. Before we proceed, a word of assurance: For some, the textual hi...

 In the quiet pages of the Old Testament , nestled between the chaos of Judges and the grandeur of Samuel , lies the book of Ruth —a story that begins not with triumph, but with tragedy. Today, as we reflect on Ruth 1:1-7 , I invite you to journey with me into this ancient narrative, colored vividly by the unyielding truths of God's Word. Titled "Three Tombstones in a Washpot," this exploration draws from Psalm 60:8 , where God declares Moab as His washpot—a humble, even humiliating vessel for cleansing. In this spiritual basin, we uncover the graves of Elimelek , Mahlon , and Kilion , stark reminders of what happens when God's people stray from His sovereign path. As Christians committed to the inerrant Bible , let's unpack these verses, drawing parallels to our modern world of moral famine and calling us back to unwavering obedience. The Setting: A Famine in the House of Bread Imagine the irony: Bethlehem , the "house of bread," starved of sustenance...

We all face battles. Sometimes the conflict is visible—a quarrel in the home, tension in the church, or the constant pressure of cultural compromise. But the Apostle James , in his practical letter, cuts right through the surface noise and asks us a piercing question: Where do these conflicts truly come from?. We tend to point fingers at the world, our circumstances, or the people who frustrate our plans. But James gives us a spiritual diagnosis, declaring that the fights come from our own selfish desires ( hēdonōn ) warring within us. He delivers a profound indictment, calling his readers "adulterous people". Spiritual adultery, James explains, is the pursuit of "friendship with the world," which is the system whose values and goals are in active enmity with God.When we cling to the world—its ambitions, its status, its fleeting pleasures—we are, in effect, betraying Christ, our rightful Husband. The ultimate root of this spiritual betrayal is pride—the arrogant bel...

In today's fast-paced world, where self-promotion and moral relativism dominate the headlines, the ancient words of the prophet Zephaniah offer a timeless anchor for believers. As  Christians , we turn to the inerrant Word of God for guidance, and Zephaniah—a minor prophet often overlooked—delivers a powerful message on the necessity of humility, righteousness, and unwavering trust in God's plan for ultimate restoration. Written during the reign of King Josiah in Judah , this book warns of impending judgment while holding out hope for the faithful remnant. Let's dive into its truths and see how they intersect with other Scriptures to challenge and encourage us today. The Call to Humility: Bowing Before a Holy God Zephaniah opens with a stark proclamation of the " Day of the Lord ," a time of divine wrath against sin and pride. In Zephaniah 1:14-15, we read: " The great day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the LORD is bitte...

 Why is it you can't git a sandwich at a restaurant jest the way you hanker after it anymore? Back in the day, you could mosey into most any greasy spoon , diner, coffee shop, or soda fountain and holler, "Hey there, could ya whip me up such and such? I don't want it too thick, nor too thin-like." Never a lick of trouble, and if they botched it up, they'd fix it right quick, no fussin' or mussin'. Why all this jawin'? Well, I've been tryin' to rustle up a nice, flat-top grilled cheese sandwich done jest so—with Swiss cheese , a smidge of turkey (not a heapin' pile or them thick slabs, jest a couple o' thin slices), and a slice or two of tomato. You reckon I can find one? At one joint, they ain't got a notion how to handle a flat-top grill . The next'n brings me a purty grilled sandwich, but there's so doggone much turkey piled on that I can't taste the cheese or tomato fer nothin'. The third place don't cotton to...

In a world that's increasingly hostile to biblical truths, it's easy to feel the pull of shame when standing firm in our Christian convictions. But the Apostle Paul , chained in a Roman dungeon , offers us a timeless rallying cry: "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day " ( 2 Timothy 1:12, NKJV ). This verse isn't just ancient wisdom—it's a blueprint for living boldly in faith today. In this post, we'll dive deeper into Paul's unyielding confidence, explore supporting Scriptures, and apply these truths to our modern lives as fundamentalist Christians committed to the inerrant Word of God. The Context of Paul's Bold Declaration Paul wasn't writing from a place of comfort. As he mentored his spiritual son Timothy, he faced imminent execution under Nero's regime . Yet, amid suffering for the G...

The scene is set in the Temple, the heart of God’s covenant people, just days before the crucifixion . The Lord Jesus Christ is not quietly debating theology; He is teaching and preaching the Gospel with an authority that shook the foundations of the established religious elite. This absolute, sovereign claim to power made confrontation inevitable. In Luke 20 , we witness the unavoidable collision between divine sovereignty and human arrogance. The chief priests, scribes, and elders —the supposed spiritual builders of Israel—stormed the Temple courts with one central question: “Tell us, by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority?”. This question remains the most crucial one for every soul today: Is Jesus Christ the absolute Authority in your life, or are you secretly trying to seize His kingdom for yourself? This passage from Luke 20 demands that we settle the crisis of Christ's authority once and for all. 1. The Trap of the Insincere Heart (Lu...