Life's Inanities and Ironies

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...

Frien ds, fellow believers, and seekers of truth, The topics of homosexuality and transsexuality are some of the most debated and emotionally charged issues in our culture today. As Christians who hold the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, it is essential that we approach these subjects not with the noise of the world, but with the quiet and humble authority of Scripture. My aim here is to provide a clear, biblical overview of what the Old and New Testaments say, and to consider what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would have us understand. The Foundation in Genesis: God’s Intentional Design To truly understand the biblical perspective on sexuality and gender, we must begin at the beginning, in the book of Genesis. The creation narrative provides the foundational blueprint for God’s design for humanity. In Genesis 1:27 , we read, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." This verse establishes a fundam...

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...

 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 ...

The Book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 14-41, records a defining moment in Christian history: Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost. This passage reveals the literal fulfillment of God’s promises, the undeniable truth of Jesus’ resurrection, and the birth of the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit. For those who hold to the authority of Scripture, this account is not just history—it’s a call to faith, repentance, and transformation that echoes into our lives today. The Event of Pentecost On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in a dramatic and miraculous way. They began speaking in tongues, proclaiming God’s wonders in languages they had never learned. A crowd gathered, amazed and perplexed, and some mocked, saying, “ They have had too much wine” (Acts 2:13, NIV). Peter quickly corrected them: “ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ” (Acts 2:15, NIV). He pointed to the prophet Joel, declaring, “ In the last days...