Life's Inanities and Ironies

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...

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 ...

 Most Christians want to be a blessing, but too many of us end up being a burr under everybody’s saddle. We rub people the wrong way with criticism, gossip, stinginess, and pride. The early church had the opposite problem: they had a man who rubbed everyone the right way, and his nickname literally meant “Son of Encouragement.” His real name was Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus. The apostles called him Barnabas, and in Acts 4:36–37 we’re told why he earned that nickname: “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” That’s it. No fanfare. No GoFundMe campaign. No dedication ceremony. He simply saw a need, sold property, and quietly laid every dollar at the feet of the leadership so the gospel could stay free and the saints could be fed. Here are four timeless ways Barnabas still teaches us to rub people the right way in 2025: 1. Speak encouragement, no...

In the quiet moments of reflection, God's Word often speaks loudest through ancient prophecies that echo into our modern lives. Today, let's dive into Isaiah 5 , where the prophet Isaiah delivers a poignant song about a vineyard—a metaphor that reveals God's heart for His people and challenges us to examine our own spiritual fruitfulness The Parable of the Vineyard Isaiah begins with a tender song: "Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1, KJV ). Picture this: A loving gardener plants a vineyard on a fertile hill, fences it for protection, clears away stones, selects the choicest vines, builds a watchtower, and even prepares a winepress. Every detail is attended to with care. Yet, when harvest time comes, the vines yield not sweet grapes, but wild, worthless ones. This isn't just a story of failed agriculture; it's God's indictment of Israel. As Isaiah explains, "The vineyard of the Lord of hosts ...

“ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10 Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a powerful story from the Old Testament that speaks directly to our walk with God. In 1 Samuel 25, we encounter a tale of wisdom, restraint, and divine justice that holds timeless lessons for us as believers. This chapter introduces us to David, Nabal, and Abigail—three individuals whose actions reveal the importance of living in obedience to God’s Word. As we unpack this story, I pray that the Holy Spirit will illuminate our hearts and guide us to apply these truths in our daily lives. The Story: A Summary In 1 Samuel 25, we find David, the future king of Israel, in the wilderness, fleeing from King Saul. During this time, David and his men protect the flocks of a wealthy man named Nabal. When David asks Nabal for provisions, Nabal responds with rudeness and ingratitude, refusing to help. Enraged, David prepares to take revenge. How...

In a world where we’re more connected than ever through technology, many of us still feel disconnected on a deeper level. We long for true community—where we can be ourselves, support each other, and grow together. Interestingly, the first Christians, as described in the Bible, had just that kind of community. In Acts 2:42-47, we see a group of believers who were devoted to each other and to their faith in a way that’s both inspiring and challenging. Let’s take a closer look at what made their community so special and see what we can learn from them today. What Is Acts 2:42-47? Acts 2:42-47 comes right after a big event in the Bible called Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, and Peter preached a powerful sermon that led to 3,000 people becoming Christians. Suddenly, there was this large group of new believers who needed to figure out how to live out their faith together. The passage describes how they did that: " They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teach...