Life's Inanities and Ironies

  I was raised in a little country church where the only trumpet we 99% of us ever heard was the pastor's kid on his slightly-off-key cornet every Easter. Rams’ horns? Those were Old Testament curiosities, something for Messianic congregations or the occasional prophecy conference. Then I actually started tracing the shofar through Scripture. What I found shook me so hard I went out and bought a 36-inch Yemenite kudu horn the next week. My wife thought I’d lost my mind. My neighbors definitely did when I started practicing at 5 a.m. But once you see what the Bible actually says about this blood-stained, battle-scarred trumpet, you can’t unsee it. Here is the scarlet thread of the shofar from Genesis to Revelation — told the way I now preach it to my own fundamentalist, dispensational, KJV-carrying, pre-trib, blood-bought congregation. 1. The First Shofar: A Ram Caught in the Thicket (Genesis 22) The knife glints above Isaac. Abraham’s hand does not waver — until the Angel stops him...

In a world where truth is often diluted and compromise creeps into every corner, the short but powerful Epistle of Jude stands as a timeless beacon for believers. Written by Jude , the brother of James and half-brother of Jesus Christ , this letter isn't just ancient wisdom—it's a urgent call to action for Christians today. Originally intended as a message about our common salvation , Jude pivots to exhort us to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3). As fundamentalist Christians , we know the Bible is inerrant and unchanging, and Jude's words remind us why we must defend it fiercely against infiltration and apostasy . The Danger of False Teachers Jude wastes no time in exposing the threat: "certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4)...

 In a world increasingly enamored with the occult , spiritual darkness, and moral ambiguity, fundamentalist Christians must stand firm on the unchanging truth of God's Word. The Bible warns us repeatedly about the reality of evil spirits and demons—not as mere myths or psychological phenomena, but as active forces under Satan's command, seeking to deceive, tempt, and destroy. Yet, Scripture doesn't leave us in fear; it provides clear guidance on avoiding these entities while empowering us to confront them only when necessary, all under the authority of Christ. Central to this spiritual battle is our dependence on the Holy Spirit , our divine Protector and Guide. In this post, we'll explore these truths, drawing from key Bible verses and teachings, to equip believers in their daily walk. The Reality and Dangers of Evil Spirits: Why We Must Avoid Them Evil spirits are no fairy tale; they are fallen angels who rebelled against God and now operate in opposition to His kingd...

We all face battles. Sometimes the conflict is visible—a quarrel in the home, tension in the church, or the constant pressure of cultural compromise. But the Apostle James , in his practical letter, cuts right through the surface noise and asks us a piercing question: Where do these conflicts truly come from?. We tend to point fingers at the world, our circumstances, or the people who frustrate our plans. But James gives us a spiritual diagnosis, declaring that the fights come from our own selfish desires ( hēdonōn ) warring within us. He delivers a profound indictment, calling his readers "adulterous people". Spiritual adultery, James explains, is the pursuit of "friendship with the world," which is the system whose values and goals are in active enmity with God.When we cling to the world—its ambitions, its status, its fleeting pleasures—we are, in effect, betraying Christ, our rightful Husband. The ultimate root of this spiritual betrayal is pride—the arrogant bel...

The Crisis of Conventionality and the Call to Consecration The valley of Elah was silent with the sound of fear. For forty days, a massive Philistine champion, Goliath —a literal monument to human strength—defied the armies of the living God ( 1 Samuel 17 ). Israel, under King Saul , was paralyzed, having prioritized human conventionality (heavy armor, military numbers) over Divine strength. This was more than a military crisis; it was a profound theological scandal. Then stepped forward David , a young, ruddy shepherd boy. He was outside the institution, unqualified by military standards, yet appalled that an “uncircumcised Philistine” should be allowed to defy the Lord. David’s entrance signals the first critical lesson for the consecrated believer: The person God uses operates outside the fear-based status quo of man’s wisdom. Rejecting the Ill-Fitting Armor of Worldly Power Before facing the giant, David faced a test of conformity far more subtle than Goliath’s spear: the offer of...

 In a world increasingly hostile to biblical truth , the ancient words of Deuteronomy 6:1-9 resonate with urgent clarity. This passage, often called the Shema , isn't just a historical artifact from Moses ' farewell address to the Israelites—it's a divine blueprint for living a life of radical obedience to God. As Christians, we affirm the Bible's inerrancy and authority, seeing this text as directly applicable to our lives today. In this blog post, we'll unpack the core message, expand on its teachings, and explore the profound implications for personal faith, family life, church community, and society at large. Let's dive in, verse by verse, and see how these commands from God can transform us in an age of compromise. The Purpose of God's Commandments: Blessing Through Obedience (Verses 1-3) Moses begins by outlining the "commandments, decrees, and laws" that God entrusted to him for the people. These aren't arbitrary rules but instruction...

In the shadowy depths of biblical prophecy, few passages evoke as much awe and dread as Revelation 9:1-12 . This vivid depiction of the fifth trumpet judgment —known as the first woe —serves as a stark warning from God about the consequences of a world steeped in rebellion against Him. As we delve into this scripture, we'll explore its literal meaning, the supernatural horrors it unleashes, and the profound implications for humanity, both in the end times and in our lives today. Drawing from a fundamentalist Christian perspective , where the Bible is taken as the inerrant, literal Word of God, this post aims to unpack the terror of demonic invasion while pointing to the hope found only in Jesus Christ. The Context: Setting the Stage for Judgment The Book of Revelation, penned by the Apostle John while exiled on the island of Patmos , is God's final revelation to mankind about the end times. It outlines a sequence of events leading to Christ's triumphant return and the estab...