Life's Inanities and Ironies

 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...

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, where challenges to our faith seem to lurk around every corner, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. As Christians, we cling to the literal truth of Scripture as our anchor. Today, I want to dive into a lesser-discussed chapter from the life of David —a man described as being after God's own heart ( Acts 13:22 ). In 1 Samuel 27:1-12 (from the Complete Jewish Bible ), we see David in a moment of weakness, fleeing to the land of the Philistines to escape King Sha’ul 's relentless pursuit. This isn't the victorious David we're used to; it's a raw, human portrait of doubt, compromise, and deception. But through it all, God's sovereignty shines through, offering us timeless lessons for standing firm in these end times. Let's start by setting the scene. David, anointed by God to be Israel's future king, has been on the run for years. Sha’ul, driven by jealousy and paranoia, won't stop hunting him. Exhausted and fearf...

This is being published as a guide of sorts for when the rapture of the church has occurred.  Trying to put the information out on what to do if it has. A Message of Hope for a World Left Behind The world has changed. In a moment, without warning, millions of people vanished, leaving behind an unprecedented void of confusion and fear. If you are reading this, you are among those who were left, and the questions swirling in your mind are likely beyond anything you've ever had to consider. What was this event? Why did it happen? And what comes next? What you are witnessing is the unfolding of an ancient prophecy—the beginning of a period known as the Tribulation . While it is a time of great peril, it is also a time of profound grace, where a path to salvation remains open to all who seek it. What Just Happened? The Unfolding of Prophecy The sudden disappearance of countless individuals is the fulfillment of a biblical event known as the "Rapture." It is the moment when al...

 Hey there, fellow seekers of faith! In a world where "grace" is often thrown around like a get-out-of-jail-free card, it's easy to skim over one of the Bible's most straightforward teachings: obedience. I recently came across a powerful homily that hit me right between the eyes on this topic, and I felt compelled to turn it into a blog post. Titled Obedience: Often Ignored and Seldom Preached or Taught, it reminds us that true love for Jesus isn't just about warm feelings—it's about action. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Let's dive in and let God's Word do the talking. The Misunderstood Side of Grace We've all heard it: "We're saved by grace, not by works!" And that's absolutely true—Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that crystal clear. But somewhere along the way, many Christians (myself included at times) have twisted grace into something loose and permissive. It's like treating ...

“ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) As Christians, one of the most important questions we can ask is whether a true believer can lose their salvation after accepting Christ. This issue has been debated for centuries, and it’s one that every follower of Jesus should understand. The Bible, our ultimate authority, provides clear answers when we interpret it literally and consistently. In this post, we’ll explore what Scripture says about the security of our salvation and why we can have confidence in God’s promises. The Bible’s Clear Teaching: Salvation is Secure For those who have truly accepted Christ, the Bible offers powerful assurances that our salvation is eternally secure. Let’s look at some key passages that affirm this trut...