Life's Inanities and Ironies

 In an era of constant change and uncertainty—where jobs, relationships, and even global events can shift overnight—many believers quietly wrestle with a profound question: Can we be sure our salvation will endure? Doubts can creep in during trials, temptations, or moments of spiritual dryness. Yet, the Bible offers rock-solid assurance for those in Christ. Drawing from Philippians 1:6 , let's explore the divine guarantee of eternal security , a cornerstone of our conservative Christian faith that emphasizes God's sovereignty and the perseverance of the saints .   The Foundation: God's Initiating Work The Apostle Paul, writing from the chains of a Roman prison, exudes confidence in Philippians 1:6: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Notice the key: Salvation begins with God, not us. This "good work" is the miracle of regeneration —God awakening dead hearts to faith in Je...

 At a time where youth is idolized and age is often seen as a burden, it's easy to feel like life has left us behind. We turn to supplements like Geritol to chase a fleeting sense of vitality, or we marvel at the fresh energy of newborns bundled in diapers. But what if I told you that the Bible offers a profound lesson on renewal that bridges these two ends of life? Drawing from Romans 4:18-25 , let's explore how Abraham 's story of impossible faith can ignite our own trust in God's unchanging Word.   The Story of Abraham: Hope Against Hope Abraham, the father of our faith, wasn't exactly in his prime when God made His extraordinary promise. At nearly 100 years old, his body was "as good as dead," as Romans 4:19 bluntly puts it. Sarah , his wife, was barren and well past childbearing years. If this were today, Abraham might be popping Geritol pills just to keep up with daily chores, while Sarah wondered if her dreams of motherhood were forever dashed. Ye...

 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...

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 ...

 Hey there, fellow seekers of truth! Ever feel like your prayers are just floating into the void, or maybe you're holding back from asking God for what you really need? In a culture obsessed with "hustle" and self-sufficiency, it's easy to forget that prayer is meant to be bold and direct. Inspired by a powerful homily, let's unpack Matthew 6:11 —" Give us this day our daily bread "—and discover how Scripture urges us to make our requests known to God. Buckle up; this could transform your prayer life! Why Prayer Starts with Bold Asking Picture this: Jesus, in the middle of His epic Sermon on the Mount ( Matthew 6:9-13 ), gives us the Lord's Prayer not as a rote ritual, but as a blueprint for real talk with God. He kicks off with worship ("Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name") and surrender ("Your kingdom come, your will be done"). Then bam—He dives into requests: "Give us this day our daily bread." This echoes ...

In a world where doubt lurks around every corner—fueled by secular skepticism, cultural decay, and even the whispers of our own sinful nature—it's easy for even the most devout believer to feel the ground shift beneath their feet. As fundamentalist Christians committed to the literal, inerrant Word of God, we know that Scripture is our ultimate authority, not fleeting emotions or human wisdom. Today, let's dive deep into Hebrews 6:18-20 , a passage that doesn't just address doubt but equips us to slay it outright. Here, the inspired writer unveils three divine realities that serve as an unbreakable anchor for our souls. These aren't abstract ideas; they're biblical truths rooted in God's character, designed to fortify our faith and propel us toward holy living until Christ's return. Reality #1: The Unchangeable Promise and Oath of God – A Fortress Against Uncertainty At the heart of doubt is the fear that God's promises might falter. "What if I'...

Hey there, fellow seeker of truth, Have you ever felt that deep, aching void in your soul—the kind that no amount of encouragement from loved ones can fill? I know I have. In those moments, I turn to the Bible, and stories like Hannah's in 1 Samuel 1:1-28 speak straight to my heart. As someone who's wrestled with unfulfilled dreams, this passage isn't just words on a page; it's a lifeline. Let's walk through it together, as if we're chatting over coffee, and see how Hannah's faith can ignite ours today. When Life Feels Unfair: Hannah's Heartache Picture this: Elkanah, a good man from the hills of Ephraim, has two wives. Peninnah is popping out kids left and right, but Hannah? Her womb is closed—by God Himself, the Scripture says (1 Samuel 1:5-6). Every year at the family pilgrimage to Shiloh for worship, Peninnah rubs it in, mocking Hannah until she's in tears. Ouch, right? Elkanah tries to console her with extra portions at the feast, whispering, ...

Oh, fervent seekers of truth, let the inferno of God's unquenchable Word erupt like a raging volcano within your souls right now! In this chaotic era of rampant anarchy, soul-devouring depravity, and outright rebellion against divine order, we charge headlong into the impregnable citadel of Titus 3:1-8 . Here, the Apostle Paul , ablaze with the Holy Spirit 's scorching fury, doesn't just whisper gentle suggestions—he detonates a divine manifesto for us to rise as invincible warriors! This passage isn't mere advice; it's an unbreakable decree demanding total submission, radical sanctification, and the cataclysmic explosion of salvation by grace alone that shatters every chain of sin! As we ravage the vast armory of all Scripture to stoke this divine blaze into a consuming wildfire, arise, unyielding remnant of the faithful! Seize this blistering mandate of obedience and bask in the overwhelming, earth-shaking mercy of our Triumphant Savior, Jesus Christ ! Paul unleas...

Oh, beloved readers, let your hearts catch fire with the unquenchable zeal of the gospel! In a world awash in hollow words and intellectual pride, we dive headlong into 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 , where Apostle Paul unleashes the explosive truth of genuine gospel preaching. Here, our faith doesn't flicker on human cleverness but erupts in the Holy Spirit 's demonstration and God's almighty power! Join me as we plunder the riches of all Scripture to fan this eternal flame. Rise up—embrace the scorching simplicity and sovereign glory of Christ crucified ! Paul's words thunder forth: "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your fait...

Whoa, hold on—have you ever felt that spiritual spark fizzling out in this chaotic world? As a fellow Christian clinging to every jot and tittle of God's inerrant Word, I get it. The pressures are real: secular agendas shoving idols down our throats, churches going soft on sin. But let's crank up the heat with the epic tale of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel 3:1-30 ! These dudes stared down a blazing furnace rather than kneel to a fake god, and boom—their faith lit up the whole kingdom. Sound like something we need right now? With end-times warnings in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 about that " man of sin " demanding worship, it's time to ignite! We're talking real, fervent zeal, like Paul urges in Romans 12:11 : "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Grab your Bible, lean in, and let's dive into four electrifying steps that'll set your soul ablaze—backed by Scripture every step of the way! Step 1: Refuse to Co...