Life's Inanities and Ironies

  Scripture Reading: Luke 4:18 (ESV) " The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we stand on the unshakable foundation of God’s holy and authoritative word. In Luke 4:18, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ declares his divine mission—a mission rooted in the eternal truth of scripture and fulfilled before our very eyes. When Jesus read these words from the prophet Isaiah and said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21), he affirmed the absolute reliability of God’s promises and his identity as the promised Messiah. This is not just a story from the past; it is a living command that calls every believer to action today. As we open this sacred text, let us hear the voice of God speaking directly to us, revealing the mis...

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share a deeply humbling experience I had after church this morning. One of my brothers in Christ—who is in as bad or worse shape than I am most days—stopped and asked me about the requirements to donate a kidney, or at least to explore the possibility. Now, I know that sounds extraordinary, but what you might not realize is that my brother Larry is in his 80s, has been in poor health off and on for the last 6-8 years, and is currently living in a nursing home. Yet, he felt led to ask me about this. The fact that someone going through so much is still ready to offer up even more, if he can, is incredibly humbling to me. I explained to him that the criteria for being a donor are very strict. Over the last three years, I've had at least five people try to sign up to donate for me, and each one has been turned down for various reasons: diabetes, liver conditions, histories of various diseases that disqualify people from the list. Part of me is very glad t...

A Story of Alliances and Deception In the book of Joshua, we find Israel at a pivotal moment in their conquest of Canaan. Fresh off their victories at Jericho and Ai, they face a new challenge—one born not from the battlefield but from a deceptive alliance. The Gibeonites, fearing destruction, tricked Israel into a treaty by pretending to be from a distant land (Joshua 9). Israel, failing to seek God’s counsel, made a covenant with them. Now, in Joshua 10:1-5, we see the consequences unfold as five Amorite kings unite to attack Gibeon, drawing Israel into a conflict they never anticipated. This passage, though ancient, speaks powerfully to us today. It reminds us of the dangers of deception, the importance of seeking God’s guidance, and the value of honoring our commitments—even when they are made in error. Most importantly, it reveals how God can redeem our mistakes for His glory. The Danger of Deception: Seeking God’s Wisdom The Gibeonites’ deception is a stark reminder that appearan...

Have you ever felt so confident in your own abilities that you forgot to give credit where it’s due? Maybe you’ve achieved success in your career, or perhaps you’ve been praised for your talents, and slowly, pride began to creep in. It’s a common human experience, but as we’ll see in the story of Daniel 5, it’s also a dangerous one. The tale of King Belshazzar’s feast and the mysterious writing on the wall serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and the importance of humility before God—a message that speaks directly to us as fundamental Christians today. The Story of Daniel 5 In the ancient city of Babylon, King Belshazzar hosted a lavish feast for a thousand of his nobles. As the wine flowed, he made a fateful decision: he ordered the gold and silver vessels, taken from the temple in Jerusalem, to be brought out. These sacred items, meant for worshiping the one true God, were used instead to toast pagan deities. It was an act of blatant disrespect and pride. Suddenly,...

Have you ever walked into a church service and felt something was off? Maybe the music was too loud, or the sermon seemed more like a motivational speech than a message from God’s Word. Or perhaps you’ve found yourself distracted by the busyness of life, even in the midst of worship. If so, you’re not alone. In Matthew 21:12-17, we see Jesus addressing a similar issue in the temple, and His actions and words offer timeless lessons for us today. As fundamental believers, we hold the Bible as the ultimate authority, and we strive to live lives that honor God in every aspect. This passage, set during Holy Week, challenges us to reflect on the purity of our worship, the authority of Jesus, and the simplicity of faith. Let’s dive into this powerful story and see what it means for us as followers of Christ. The Temple: A House of Prayer, Not a Marketplace In Matthew 21:12-13, we read: “ Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables...