Life's Inanities and Ironies

 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...

 This post brings us to the end of our in-depth dig into The Lord's Prayer and it's many lessons.  I hope this has been as educational, encouraging and enlightening for you as it has been for me in it's creation.  If you would like to see more series of study along these lines let me know in the comments below  Hey folks, let's chat about something that's been on my heart lately. Life is full of crazy ups and downs, prayer can sometimes feel like just another item on our to-do list—a quick plea for help when things get tough. But have you ever stopped to think that real prayer, the kind Jesus taught us, is actually all about rejoicing? Yeah, you heard that right. Let's dive into Matthew 6:13 from the Lord's Prayer: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." It's not just asking God to keep us out of trouble; it's exploding with praise for who He is....

  You know, when everyone's chasing self-sufficiency—like, " I've got this all on my own "—it's refreshing to step back and remember what our faith really teaches us. As fundamentalist Christians who stick to the literal Word of God, we find our anchor in Scripture. Today, let's chat about Matthew 6:13 from the good old King James Version : "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." This isn't just some verse to skim over; it's right in the middle of the Lord's Prayer , and it hits home about what prayer is truly all about—relying on God. What Does Prayer Really Mean to You? Think about it: Prayer isn't a to-do list for God or some way to twist His arm. Nah, it's us admitting, "Hey Lord, I can't do this without You." Jesus gave this prayer as a guide for His disciples, showing how to talk to the Father with real trust. In this...

Life can be filled with grudges, hurts, and unending strife, the simple act of prayer offers a profound path to liberation. Drawing from the timeless wisdom of Scripture, today's post explores how prayer isn't merely a ritual of requests—it's an act of releasing. We'll center our discussion on Matthew 6:12 from the Lord's Prayer : "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." As fundamentalist Christians, we cling to the literal truth of God's Word, knowing it as the inspired, inerrant guide for our lives ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ). Join me as we unpack this verse and related passages, discovering how releasing through prayer transforms our hearts and relationships. Understanding "Debts" in Prayer At the heart of Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount lies this pivotal line. The Greek word for "debts" (*opheilemata*) speaks to our moral obligations— the sins we've committed against a holy God. As Romans ...