Archive for August 2021

A delusion for American Christians is our confidence that our institutional church truly represents the Body of Christ, and that the life it advocates is truly the life of the Kingdom of God. Both the pulpit and the pew believe those convenient lies. There are exceptions to that but we don’t often see them. This…

Here are some keys to the life of those heroes of faith. First was their view of God. They believed that He could and would do what He said He would do. Period! Their faith was rooted in the character and power of God Himself, and it led to obedience. How about us? Secondly, they…

Let’s be honest – – except for “Trusting Jesus” for our salvation we most often use “faith” to speak of “believing God” for something we want for ourselves, here and now. Maybe healing, or a better job, a new car, money to pay bills, a life partner or something else earthly and temporal. I don’t…

Don’t we view the God of the Old Testament as a strict disciplinarian who sent his children into captivity when they flagrantly disobeyed him – – but then act as though the God of the New Testament is a permissive parent who lets his kids do as they please? But what if it’s the same…

I respect those who will continue to fight for our constitutional rights and godly political systems (Thank you!) but feel that my specific calling now is otherwise. I must focus on what it means for us to be Jesus’ disciples in this journey, including how “the church” in America can become more the Church that…

Revised Aug. 22.Regardless of our stance on the issues, if we want life and truth in the controversy and chaos of our Day we must go to the One who is Himself Life and Truth, and He invites us to come. Watch for three “streams” in these scriptures. First, that we take initiative to seek…

The tricky thing about deception is that you don’t know when it’s happening. Deception is to Satan what love is to God. Satan IS deception as God IS love. Each is inseparable from their defining trait which directs everything they do and their reasons for doing it. The controversy, intimidation, manipulation, division, and death that…

Was Jesus an alarmist? He said some alarming things about watching and being on the alert for His imminent but unannounced return. He instructed us to live here in constant anticipation of that dramatic moment, with awesome rewards for those who took Him seriously and awful consequences for those who didn’t. “Surprise – – I’m…

The Church that Jesus is building has an unmistakable glory. It is marked in ways that only His Presence, rule and power can produce. His glory, meaning His excellence and superiority, is exhibited in the Fruit of the Spirit; the Beatitudes; peace in any storm; holiness; love for others, and servant hearts, for example. And…

I am newly reminded of how satisfied we Christians are with the religion of “church” as we know it. We are at ease, as in the days of Noah, with little apparent sense of impending danger. As the unbelievers couldn’t imagine rain and floods because they had never seen them before, many Christians and their…