Life's Inanities and Ironies

 Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, warriors of the faith from Indiana and beyond—rise up! In a world drowning in chaos, compromise, and spiritual apathy, we as Christians must reclaim the battlefield of prayer. Today, I want to dive deep into a truth that has set my soul ablaze: *Prayer Is About Reigning*. This isn't some feel-good devotional; it's a call to arms, rooted in the unshakeable Word of God from Matthew 6:10 : "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Let's unpack this divine mandate, expand on its power, and ignite a revival in our hearts and homes.   The Foundation: Understanding the Lord's Prayer as a Battle Cry Picture this: Jesus, the King of Kings, standing on a mountainside, teaching His disciples not just to pray, but to wage war through prayer. In Matthew 6, part of the Sermon on the Mount , He exposes the empty rituals of the hypocrites—those who pray for show, babbling endless words without heart (verses 5...

 Hey there, fellow seekers of truth! In a fast-paced world where everything feels instant and casual—from our coffee orders to our social media scrolls—have you ever stopped to wonder if we're treating our time with God the same way? As fundamentalist Christians committed to the literal, inerrant Word of God , let's shake things up and rediscover the power of reverence in prayer. Drawing straight from Matthew 6:9 , where Jesus says, "This, then, is how you should pray: ' Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name ,'" this isn't just ancient advice—it's a game-changer for your spiritual walk. Buckle up as we dive in and make prayer exciting again! Why Start with Reverence? The Shocking Truth from Jesus' Own Words Picture this: Jesus, the Son of God, is preaching the Sermon on the Mount , dropping wisdom bombs on a crowd hungry for real faith. He slams hypocritical show-off prayers and empty chants ( Matthew 6:5-8 ), then hands us the ultimate pra...

 We are going to be starting a series from Matthew on prayer today.  How you communicate with God is as important as how He communicates with you. I want to give you a little background on this series. It is one that I wrote nearly 45 years ago as an exercise in homiletics class . We were asked to take a portion of scripture and draw out of it as many sermons or homilies as we could without significantly repeating ourselves. This draws from Matthew 6 and "The Lord's Prayer" The object was to show that God's word has no limitations. I'm hoping that you will enjoy this exercise as much as I did then and as much as I did in bringing it up to date. In a world filled with performative spirituality —social media posts showcasing " prayer warriors " and public displays of piety —it's easy to lose sight of what true prayer really means. As followers of Christ, especially within fundamentalist Christian communities where we uphold the Bible as our ultimate a...

Dear readers, in a time when the world increasingly waters down the truths of Scripture, twisting God's Word to fit modern agendas, it's crucial for us as Bible-believing Christians to return to the unadulterated Gospel. Today, I want to share a reflection drawn from the sacred account in Luke 23:26-49 —the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ . This passage isn't just a historical narrative; it's the cornerstone of our faith, a literal event that demands our full allegiance. As fundamentalists who affirm the inerrancy of the Bible ( 2 scchy 3:16-17 ), we reject any allegorical or liberal interpretations that dilute its power. Instead, we embrace it as God's inspired record, calling us to repentance, faith, and holy living. Let's dive deeper into this profound text, expanding on its lessons with insights from other Scriptures, to strengthen our resolve against the rising tide of apostasy . The Sovereign Plan in Human Suffering: Simon's Cross and Our Call As...

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'...

In the rugged wilderness of Judea, a voice echoed with unyielding urgency: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" This wasn't the polished sermon of a temple priest, but the raw proclamation of John the Baptist, a man dressed in camel's hair, cinched with a leather belt, surviving on a diet of locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:1-5). To the casual observer, John seemed utterly strange—an outlier in a world that prized conformity and comfort. Yet, God chose him to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of a voice crying in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3). As fundamentalist Christians who hold the Bible as the inerrant, inspired Word of God, we often find ourselves at odds with modern culture. But Scripture is full of "strange" preachers—men whose lives and methods defied human norms yet powerfully advanced God's kingdom. Drawing from Matthew 3 and other biblical accounts, let's explore seven such figures. Their stories...

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...