Life's Inanities and Ironies

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...

Hello, fellow believers! As a community of Christians, we stand unapologetically on the solid rock of God's inerrant Word, the Bible. It's our guide, our authority, and our source of truth in a world that's increasingly hostile to biblical principles. Today, I want to dive into a story that's as timeless as it is transformative: the account of Rahab from Joshua chapter 2 . I've framed this blog post around a homily I recently shared, but I've expanded it here to unpack the layers of God's grace, faith, and redemption. If you've ever felt defined by your past or wondered if God could really use someone like you, Rahab's story is a powerful reminder that in Christ, you're not the person you used to be. The Setting: A City on the Brink Let's set the scene straight from Scripture. Joshua 2:1-24 transports us to the ancient city of Jericho , a pagan stronghold in Canaan. This wasn't just any city—it was a symbol of defiance against God, fille...

In a world increasingly marked by chaos—wars raging in distant lands, natural disasters striking without warning, and a growing hostility toward the Gospel—it's more important than ever to anchor our faith in the unchanging Word of God. As fundamentalist Christians , we stand on the inerrancy of Scripture , interpreting it literally where it demands and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us through its prophecies. Today, I want to expand on a powerful homily drawn from Luke 21:5-19 , where Jesus Himself outlines the signs of the end times and calls us to endurance. This passage isn't just ancient history; it's a living blueprint for our lives today, reconciled with the broader biblical teaching on the rapture and the Great Tribulation . Let's begin by revisiting the text itself, as recorded in the English Standard Version (ESV) for clarity: > While some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, "As for these thin...

 The scene in Bethany is one of profound grief. Jesus, arriving four days after the death of his friend Lazarus , stands before a tomb where the air is heavy with sorrow and the scent of decay. A crowd of mourners, having come to comfort Martha and Mary , stands by as a poignant question hangs in the air: "Could not He who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?". Then, in a moment of stunning paradox, the Son of God, the "resurrection and the life," gives us the shortest verse in the Bible: "Jesus wept".  This familiar story, found in the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John , is far more than a simple act of miraculous power. It is a multi-layered narrative that reveals the divine and human nature of Jesus, subverts first-century Jewish expectations of life and death, and provides a powerful analogy for spiritual salvation and the ongoing work of the Christian community. By examining the historical context, the theologica...

The final words of a man often reveal the deepest convictions of his heart. For Joseph , a patriarch who navigated betrayal, slavery, imprisonment, and eventually, the highest seat of power in Egypt , his dying declaration in Genesis 50:22-26 is a powerful testament to an unwavering faith. It's a passage that, when we truly dig into it, illuminates three foundational truths for every believer: the unyielding faithfulness of God, the unstoppable power of His promises, and the glorious hope of the resurrection . Let's unpack these vital truths. I. The Unwavering Faithfulness of God Joseph’s life was a masterclass in divine sovereignty . Remember his story: sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, falsely accused and imprisoned. Any ordinary man would have crumbled, perhaps grown bitter and resentful. Yet, Joseph, in a moment of profound grace and understanding, tells his brothers, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, a...

In the pages of Scripture, we find stories that are not just historical accounts but living words that speak to our hearts today. Genesis 21:9-21 , the story of Hagar and Ishmael ’s expulsion into the wilderness, is one such passage. It reveals the unchanging truth of God’s sovereignty , compassion, and faithfulness, even in the midst of human conflict and despair. As believers who hold fast to the inerrancy of God’s Word , let us dive into this text to uncover its timeless lessons for our lives. A Family Divided: The Context of Genesis 21 The story begins in the household of Abraham , the father of our faith, whose obedience to God is a model for us all ( Heb. 11:8 ). Yet, even Abraham’s family was not immune to the effects of sin. Sarah , seeing Ishmael , the son of Hagar, mocking Isaac , the child of God’s promise, demands their expulsion: “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac” ( Gen. 21:10 ). This is a heart-wre...

 In the quiet chambers of a Persian palace, Nehemiah , a devoted servant of God, received devastating news. The walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins, its gates consumed by fire, and God's people endured reproach and distress ( Nehemiah 1:1-3 ). Rather than despair or indifference, Nehemiah responded with deep godly sorrow: he wept, mourned for days, fasted, and poured out his heart in prayer to the "great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments" (Nehemiah 1:4-5). This passage from Nehemiah 1:1-11 offers a timeless blueprint for believers facing spiritual decay. Nehemiah's prayer is a model of humble confession: "We have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments" (Nehemiah 1:6-7). He doesn't point fingers outward but includes himself in the repentance, echoing the prophet Daniel's intercession...

In a world drowning in distractions and fleeting pleasures, the timeless words of Jesus Christ cut through the noise like a clarion call. Today, I want to dive deep into the Parable of the Wedding Banquet from Matthew 22:1-14 —a story that's not just ancient history but a living, breathing warning and promise for every soul. As fundamentalist Christians , we hold fast to the inerrant Word of God, and this parable demands our undivided attention. It's a vivid portrait of God's sovereign grace , human rebellion, and the eternal consequences of our response. Let's unpack it together, expanding on its profound truths to stir our hearts toward deeper faith and obedience. Imagine the scene : A mighty king—our Heavenly Father—prepares a lavish wedding feast for his beloved son, Jesus Christ. Invitations are sent to the elite, the chosen ones—symbolizing God's covenant people, Israel. But shockingly, they snub the invite. Some ignore it, too busy with farms and businesses...

In a world where words are cheap and actions often speak louder, Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount challenge us to examine the depth of our faith. As fundamentalist Christians, we hold dear the unchanging truths of Scripture—the virgin birth of Christ, His deity, atoning sacrifice, bodily resurrection, and the Bible's inerrant authority. Yet, even with these foundations, we must heed the stark warning in Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV): "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" This passage isn't just a distant echo from ancient times; it's a mirror for our souls today. It reminds us that proclaiming "Lord, Lord" or eve...

As Christians, we stand firm on the unchanging truth of Scripture. Every verse is inspired by the Holy Spirit , pointing us to Christ and His redemptive work. Today, let's dive deep into Zechariah 9:9 —a prophecy that explodes with divine promise and finds its perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion ! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem ! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This isn't just ancient poetry; it's God's blueprint for the Messiah , written centuries before His birth, proving the Bible's supernatural accuracy. Imagine the scene: Israel, weary from captivity and foreign rule, hears this call to explosive joy. No subdued whispers here— Zechariah demands shouts of triumph! Why? Because their King is on the way. But He's not the kind the world expects. No chariot of gold or warhorse charging into battle. Ins...