Life's Inanities and Ironies

With distractions at every turn, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. As Christians, we're called not just to secure our own salvation but to carry a deep, aching burden for those who are lost without Christ. This truth hit me profoundly when I reflected on Romans 9:1-5 during a recent sermon preparation. The Apostle Paul's raw emotion in this passage isn't just historical—it's a timeless challenge for us today. Let me unpack this for you, drawing from Scripture and real-life application, in hopes that it stirs your heart as it has mine. The Weight of Paul's Anguish Paul opens Romans 9 with a gut-wrenching confession: "I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh" (Romans 9:1-3, ESV). Imagine that—a...

What truly stands as the greatest undertaking we can embark upon? As a conservative Christian, I've often reflected on this question, and it leads me straight to the timeless wisdom of Scripture. Recently, I crafted a homily based on Deuteronomy 6:1-9 , a passage that calls us to a profound, eternal mission: loving God with every part of our being and passing that devotion to the next generation. This isn't just any biblical exhortation—it's the Shema , the foundational declaration of faith that beats at the heart of Israel's spiritual identity . In this blog post, I'll expand on that homily, delving deeper into the Shema's significance, its enduring relevance for us today, and how it shapes our lives as followers of Christ.   The Shema: The Heartbeat of Israel's Faith At the core of Deuteronomy 6:1-9 lies the Shema, named after its opening word in Hebrew: "Hear" (Shema). This passage, recited daily by devout Jews for millennia, is more than a pray...

As I sit here in Peru , reflecting on the spiritual battles we face in these turbulent times, my heart is heavy yet hopeful. Inspired by a recent  message I heard, I want to share with you a deeper exploration of how Satan creates twisted, demonic parodies of the holy things God and Christ have established. These are not abstract ideas but real, insidious counterfeits that infiltrate our culture, families, and even our churches. Drawing from Scripture, the insights of Jonathan Cahn in his eye-opening book * The Return of the Gods *, and profound theological comparisons, let's unpack this spiritual warfare and arm ourselves with truth. The Empty House: A Parable for Our Times Jesus warns us in Matthew 12:43-45 about a demon that, once cast out, returns with seven more wicked spirits if the "house" remains empty. This isn't just a personal caution—it's a prophetic picture of societies and nations. For centuries, the gospel of Christ held back ancient demonic force...

 Hello, fellow believers! As we navigate the complexities of faith in our modern times, it's sometimes helpful to draw from ancient stories that, while not part of our core Scriptures, can illuminate timeless truths. Today, I'd like to share insights from the apocryphal tale of " Bel and the Dragon ." Let me emphasize upfront: this story is from the Apocrypha , a collection not recognized as canonical by the majority of fundamentalist Christian churches, including our Protestant tradition . We hold firmly to the 66 books of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. However, like a historical parable, this narrative can serve as a lens to view biblical principles on idolatry, faith, and God's sovereignty. I'll weave in references from the true Scriptures to ground our discussion. T he Story of Bel and the Dragon: A Quick Recap In this apocryphal extension to the Book of Daniel , the prophet finds himself in Babylon under King Cyrus . The Babylonians worship Bel...

 Hey folks, in this time that's spinning with all sorts of chaos—uncertainty, moral mix-ups, and those quick-hit pleasures that never really satisfy—I've always found the Bible to be that solid anchor for my soul. As a conservative Christian , I love digging into the prophets like Isaiah for those reminders of God 's big-picture plan. Today, let's chat about Isaiah 12:1-3 . It's this awesome little hymn of praise that really nails what salvation is all about. It's not just some old poem; it's like a personal GPS showing where God's rescue mission takes us—from the dark side of His wrath right into the bright warmth of eternal joy. I pulled this from a sermon I put together recently, and we'll walk through it verse by verse, like we're sitting down for coffee.   A Bit of Background: A Song That Comes from Being Set Free So, Isaiah 12 pops up right after a bunch of heavy prophecies about judgment on Israel and other nations, but then it shifts to ...

The book of Zechariah , one of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament , offers a rich tapestry of visions, oracles, and promises centered on the temple. Written around 520-518 B.C., during the post-exilic period when the Jews had returned from Babylonian captivity , Zechariah's ministry overlapped with that of Haggai and the events described in Ezra . His prophecies served to encourage the remnant of Israel as they rebuilt the physical temple under leaders like Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest . However, Zechariah's words extend far beyond the immediate reconstruction, pointing to spiritual renewal, the coming Messiah (often called " the Branch "), and an ultimate eschatological temple that symbolizes God's eternal presence among His people. For a conservative Christian audience, these prophecies underscore God's faithfulness to His covenants, the centrality of Christ as the fulfillment of temple imagery, and the hope of His future reign. To explore ...

 In a world that increasingly turns away from the timeless truths of Scripture , it's more vital than ever to anchor our faith in the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ . One of the most enduring and transformative gifts He bestowed upon us is the Lord's Prayer , found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4 . As conservative believers who hold the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, we recognize this prayer not as a mere ritual, but as a divine blueprint for communion with our Heavenly Father . But why was it so crucial for Christ to pass this on to His disciples—and by extension, to us? Let's explore this together, drawing from the Scriptures to uncover its deep significance. A Model of Humble Reverence Before God First and foremost, Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer to show us *how* to pray, correcting the empty, showy practices of the religious leaders of His day. In Matthew 6:5-8, He warns against praying like the hypocrites who seek public acclaim or the pagans who babble...

In these trying times, when the entirety of creation seems to drift further from God's eternal truths, let us turn our hearts to the Scriptures for encouragement and instruction. Today, I want to share with you the remarkable story of the Apostle Paul – a man whose life exemplifies the boundless grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. As  Christians , we hold fast to the inerrant Word of God, and Paul's testimony in the Book of Acts and his epistles reminds us that no one is beyond redemption. Let’s delve into his origins and the divine providence that led him to stand before the emperor in Rome, all for the glory of God. Paul's Humble Yet Privileged Origins Paul, originally named Saul , was born in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia (modern-day Turkey), around A.D. 5-10. As described in Acts 22:3, he was "born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city [ Jerusalem ] at the feet of Gamaliel , and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers." Sau...

As a devoted follower of Christ in these tumultuous times, I've often found myself pondering the tension between our heavenly calling and our earthly responsibilities . In a world increasingly hostile to biblical truth , it's easy to long for the glory that awaits us. Yet, Scripture reminds us that our time here is purposeful. Drawing from the Apostle Paul's heartfelt words in Philippians 1:23-26 , let's explore this profound theme: being ready for heaven while remaining needed on earth. This isn't just ancient wisdom—it's a blueprint for fundamentalist Christians navigating modern challenges like cultural decay , persecution , and spiritual apathy . Paul's Torn Heart: A Desire for Christ Above All Imagine Paul, chained in a Roman prison , facing uncertainty and suffering. He writes to the church in Philippi : "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in t...

 In these last days, as the world spirals into materialism and discontent, we fundamentalists must cling ever tighter to the unchanging Word of God. Today, I want to share a message that cuts straight to the heart of biblical living: "I had everything I ever needed and most things I wanted." This isn't some feel-good mantra from self-help gurus—it's a profound testimony rooted in Scripture, calling us to reject the lies of consumerism and find true satisfaction in the Lord alone. Let us begin with the Apostle Paul 's unyielding declaration in Philippians 4:11-13 ( KJV ): "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Brothers and sisters, Paul wasn't lounging in...