Life's Inanities and Ironies

 In the quiet pages of the Old Testament , nestled between the chaos of Judges and the grandeur of Samuel , lies the book of Ruth —a story that begins not with triumph, but with tragedy. Today, as we reflect on Ruth 1:1-7 , I invite you to journey with me into this ancient narrative, colored vividly by the unyielding truths of God's Word. Titled "Three Tombstones in a Washpot," this exploration draws from Psalm 60:8 , where God declares Moab as His washpot—a humble, even humiliating vessel for cleansing. In this spiritual basin, we uncover the graves of Elimelek , Mahlon , and Kilion , stark reminders of what happens when God's people stray from His sovereign path. As Christians committed to the inerrant Bible , let's unpack these verses, drawing parallels to our modern world of moral famine and calling us back to unwavering obedience. The Setting: A Famine in the House of Bread Imagine the irony: Bethlehem , the "house of bread," starved of sustenance...

The scene is set in the Temple, the heart of God’s covenant people, just days before the crucifixion . The Lord Jesus Christ is not quietly debating theology; He is teaching and preaching the Gospel with an authority that shook the foundations of the established religious elite. This absolute, sovereign claim to power made confrontation inevitable. In Luke 20 , we witness the unavoidable collision between divine sovereignty and human arrogance. The chief priests, scribes, and elders —the supposed spiritual builders of Israel—stormed the Temple courts with one central question: “Tell us, by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority?”. This question remains the most crucial one for every soul today: Is Jesus Christ the absolute Authority in your life, or are you secretly trying to seize His kingdom for yourself? This passage from Luke 20 demands that we settle the crisis of Christ's authority once and for all. 1. The Trap of the Insincere Heart (Lu...

In times of national crisis —be it devastating hurricanes ravaging coastlines, economic turmoil shaking the foundations of society, or pandemics that bring a nation to its knees—we often feel lost, much like the Israelites after the death of their great leader Joshua . The book of Judges opens with a powerful scene: "After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, 'Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites ?' The Lord answered, ' Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands'" (Judges 1:1-2). This moment, rooted in Israel's conquest of the Promised Land , teaches us a timeless truth: when disaster strikes, our first response must be to inquire of the Lord. Imagine our nation facing a catastrophic event, such as the recent floods that have displaced thousands or a financial collapse echoing the warnings in Scripture about trusting in riches rather than God ( 1 Timothy 6:17 ). In such chaos, human efforts—governme...

In the hustle of modern life, it's easy to overlook the quieter stories in Scripture—the ones that don't scream with dramatic falls and redemptions but whisper warnings to the faithful. Today, let's dive into Luke 15:25-32 , the often-overlooked tail end of the Parable of the Prodigal Son . Here, Jesus doesn't just celebrate the return of the wayward younger brother; He exposes the heart of the older one, the "good" son who's been there all along. This isn't just a tale of one lost child—it's about two. And if we're honest, many of us who cling to the Bible as our inerrant guide might see ourselves in this dutiful, yet distant, sibling. Picture the scene: The older son is out in the fields, toiling faithfully as he always has. He's the epitome of obedience, the one who never strayed. But when he hears the sounds of jubilation—music, dancing, the fattened calf being slaughtered—he's puzzled, then furious. His brother, the squanderer, th...

 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...

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...

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...

 Today, I want to invite you on a profound spiritual journey—a journey that takes us back thousands of years, into the very heart of ancient Israelite worship, and then catapults us forward to the eternal truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ . We’re going to explore Yom Kippur , the Jewish Day of Atonement , and discover how this solemn observance illuminates the glorious work of our Savior. Now, as Christians, we live under grace, not under the Law . This is a foundational truth of our faith, and it’s a truth that sets us free! Yet, to dismiss the Old Testament , to ignore the rich tapestry of God’s dealings with Israel, would be to miss the very blueprint for understanding our redemption . As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, the Law, its rituals, and its sacrifices were but a "shadow of the good things to come, and not the true form of these realities" ( Hebrews 10:1 ). The shadows always point to a substance, and for us, that substance is Christ. Yom Kippur: A Day of Ho...

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...

As followers of Christ in a world rich with biblical history, it's valuable to explore the feasts and festivals outlined in Scripture. One such observance is Rosh Hashanah , also known as Yom Teruah or the Feast of Trumpets . While we as Christians are not bound to observe it under the New Covenant , understanding its origins, customs, and ongoing significance can deepen our faith and point us toward the fulfillment we find in Jesus. In this blog post, we'll delve into what Rosh Hashanah is, its biblical foundations, traditional practices, why it's still celebrated, and most importantly, the profound meanings it holds for believers today. The Biblical Origins of Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning " head of the year " in Hebrew, marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Its roots trace back to the Torah , where it's described not as a New Year celebration but as a solemn day of rest and trumpet blasts. In Leviticus 23:23-25 , God instructs Moses ...