Tag: Bible study

Today's text is one that causes a lot of friction in the Church. I find it (the friction) quite disheartening and a bit sad because it's so unnecessary. God knows what he's doing. When we sidestep or reinterpret the Word to soften and align it with modern thinking, we end…

We have an idiom in English that says 'be on your best behavior'. It means to 'exhibit proper and polite conduct, often to make a good impression or to follow specific instructions to behave well in a given situation'. Parents say it to their kids (or they used to) all…

Are you familiar with the concept behind Alcoholics Anonymous? If not, it's pretty simple. The typical alcoholic trying to change his ways is continuously tempted to drink again. AA offers a variety of support and resources to prevent being pulled back into the world of booze, including teaching alcoholics how…

There are those who believe that God gave the Old Testament law a shot and it failed. So, he then sent Jesus to make us good people so that we could get to heaven. I get it. But such thinking is still wrong. The Old Testament law could never save…

From time to time I'll counsel someone from the old church up north. Usually, it's nothing serious. It's more an old friend looking for some advice or encouragement. Interestingly, I often find myself offering the same advice: just keep plugging along. Just keep moving forward in your faith – even…

Peter's first epistle was written to Jewish believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, somewhere around 64 A.D., as an encouragement for them to persevere in their faith. They were being persecuted by their own people. Meanwhile, the Roman persecution was just getting started as well. The book was written from the…

We have finally reached the end of Deuteronomy. This final chapter speaks of Moses' death and burial. It also speaks of his legacy. Needless to say that his legacy is one worth remembering – so much so that God saw fit to record the most important events in Moses' life…

After 32 chapters of recounting the exodus and reciting the Mosaic law, it's easy to approach these last two chapters with an emotional 'bad taste in the mouth'. Think of the Israelite congregation like teenagers who have just sat through a 2-hour lecture from mom and dad. They just want…

Have you ever tried to memorize something by putting it to music? It doesn't work for everyone, but it does work for some. As I mentioned last week, our brains have a habit of retaining certain songs. I can still remember songs that I learned as a kid, even though…

In a military setting, there is a call to duty that every soldier is obligated to. That call to duty exemplifies what is expected of each soldier. It involves supporting and defending the Constitution, protecting the nation against foreign and domestic threats, fighting on the battlefield during war time, etc.…