Fundamentally, the gospel is about: (1) God, the Righteous; (2) Man, the Rebel; (3) Jesus, the Redeemer; (4) Our Right Response to the [Gospel] Message. By stressing each of these components, Ventura winsomely strikes the balance between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in salvation.   In the midst of physical deterioration, it is evident that... Continue Reading

We can unfairly expect others to remember everything we experienced during sharp seasons of pain. And when they don’t, we allow those unmet expectations to lead us to more pain through anger, jealousy, or hurt toward them. We need to stop looking to others to salve our hurts.    Expectations of others can be a killer.... Continue Reading

The gate stands for the choice that a person makes here in this life which leads to a final destiny. The right initial choice leads to sanctification, whereas the wrong entry point leads to destruction. The contrast is between life and death. Which gate have you entered? All persons have either entered by one gate... Continue Reading

If we get accused of being “non-confrontational,” that is probably (in all appropriate cases) a real compliment, (even though it is usually an explicit or veiled criticism).  We should avoid what we pastorally-perceive to be schemed-up conflicts “like the plague,” if we can, because many (if not all) of them are, in reality, devious snares,... Continue Reading

And, because singing of psalms is of all other the most proper ordinance for expressing of joy and thanksgiving, let some pertinent psalm or psalms be sung for that purpose, before or after the reading of some portion of the word suitable to the present business.   Some have asked me over the years why... Continue Reading

For us as Christians, God has given us some “whys.” We exist to know, worship, and enjoy Him (Psalm 73:25-28).   “Everyone needs to know their why” is a common phrase we hear. And it’s a good one. What’s your “why” behind your goals? Behind the work you do? One worker’s “why” may be to... Continue Reading

In this eyewitness testimony of lament, the prophets, priests, and kings have become nothing (Lam. 2:9-10), the glory of the Temple lies in ruins (2:7-8), and everything else that the people of God could cling to for hope has been removed. The daunting reality is that God’s people cannot escape this judgment by their own... Continue Reading

Most of us will never face a literal army, but we know the feeling of being surrounded. Bills stack up. Diagnoses arrive. Relationships fracture. Fears multiply. We too receive letters filled with threats, words that whisper, “You will not make it. God will not come through.” What do we do? We do what Hezekiah did.... Continue Reading

Please note that according to my reckoning, the lowest places in hell are reserved for ardently religious people.  The “usual suspects” of immoral, murdering, thieving, greedy, lying sinners have their places in perdition–but none of them are as low as religious sinners, especially those who propound false “gospels.”  But again, all of these sins may... Continue Reading

Maybe you used to pray every morning but somewhere along the way, life got busy and you stopped. Maybe you used to give generously but money got tight and you stopped. Maybe you used to believe God could restore your marriage, but time passed and hope faded. Wherever you’ve stopped, start again. Pick up the... Continue Reading