Life's Inanities and Ironies

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...

Death is one of life's greatest mysteries, but the Bible offers clear guidance on what follows. Drawing from Scripture, we see a profound divide based on faith in Jesus Christ . For believers, death leads to eternal joy in God's presence; for unbelievers, it brings separation and judgment. This post explores these truths, including the debate on whether Christians experience " soul sleep " or immediate activity in heaven. We'll weave in key verses to illuminate God's Word on life after death. The Fate of Believers: Immediate Presence with Christ For those who have accepted Christ as Savior, death is not an end but a gateway to paradise. The soul departs the body and enters God's presence consciously, awaiting the resurrection when the body is glorified and reunited with the soul. Jesus Himself promised this immediacy to the repentant thief on the cross: "And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise'" ( L...

The Crisis of Conventionality and the Call to Consecration The valley of Elah was silent with the sound of fear. For forty days, a massive Philistine champion, Goliath —a literal monument to human strength—defied the armies of the living God ( 1 Samuel 17 ). Israel, under King Saul , was paralyzed, having prioritized human conventionality (heavy armor, military numbers) over Divine strength. This was more than a military crisis; it was a profound theological scandal. Then stepped forward David , a young, ruddy shepherd boy. He was outside the institution, unqualified by military standards, yet appalled that an “uncircumcised Philistine” should be allowed to defy the Lord. David’s entrance signals the first critical lesson for the consecrated believer: The person God uses operates outside the fear-based status quo of man’s wisdom. Rejecting the Ill-Fitting Armor of Worldly Power Before facing the giant, David faced a test of conformity far more subtle than Goliath’s spear: the offer of...

In times of national crisis —be it devastating hurricanes ravaging coastlines, economic turmoil shaking the foundations of society, or pandemics that bring a nation to its knees—we often feel lost, much like the Israelites after the death of their great leader Joshua . The book of Judges opens with a powerful scene: "After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, 'Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites ?' The Lord answered, ' Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands'" (Judges 1:1-2). This moment, rooted in Israel's conquest of the Promised Land , teaches us a timeless truth: when disaster strikes, our first response must be to inquire of the Lord. Imagine our nation facing a catastrophic event, such as the recent floods that have displaced thousands or a financial collapse echoing the warnings in Scripture about trusting in riches rather than God ( 1 Timothy 6:17 ). In such chaos, human efforts—governme...

In the quiet hush of Eden , humanity's story began with perfect harmony—a paradise where God walked with His creation, and life flowed without the shadow of death. Yet, as quickly as it dawned, that bliss shattered through one act of disobedience. But praise God, the narrative doesn't end there. Drawing from the depths of Scripture, particularly Romans 5:15-21 , we uncover the divine masterpiece of redemption: how paradise, once lost, is gloriously regained through Jesus Christ . This isn't just ancient history; it's the living hope that transforms our lives today. Let's explore this profound truth, weaving in insights from Genesis to Revelation , to see the full scope of God's redemptive plan. The Tragic Loss: Adam 's Fall and the Reign of Sin Genesis paints a vivid picture of paradise in its prime. God formed Adam from the dust, breathed life into him, and placed him in a garden teeming with beauty and provision (Genesis 2:7-9). Eve , crafted from Adam...

 Something different as a bonus today  It has been 80 years this past August since the guns of World War II finally fell silent, a moment that should stir our souls with both gratitude and profound sorrow. Somewhere between 70 million and 85 million precious lives were torn away in that brutal storm of conflict, extinguished by the cruel ingenuity of man's most horrifying weapons—devices that unleashed hell on earth and shattered families forever. Here in the United States, around 407,000 brave souls—soldiers and civilians alike—gave everything, their final breaths drawn by August 15, 1945, when Japan surrendered at last (with the formal papers signed on September 2). Among those last heartbreaking losses were four young Navy pilots from Fighter Squadron 88 (VF-88), heroes aboard the mighty aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) "The Fighting Lady". And it's one of those eternal boys—frozen in youth by time and tragedy—that tugs at my heartstrings relentlessly. Ensign...

Welcome back to our blog, where we dive deep into the unchanging truths of Scripture. Today, we're exploring a foundational passage from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans—specifically Romans 5:12-14 . This text lays bare the tragic reality of how paradise, God's perfect creation, was utterly ruined by sin. As fundamentalist Christians, we hold to the literal interpretation of the Bible, rejecting any attempts to mythologize or allegorize these events. Let's unpack this verse by verse, drawing in additional Scriptures to illuminate the depth of this doctrine and its implications for our lives today. The Entry of Sin and Death Through One Man Romans 5:12 states: " Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned." This "one man " is Adam , as described in Genesis 3. In the Garden of Eden , God created a flawless paradise: " The Lord God made all kind...