Look at the people who flocked to Jesus!  People caught in adultery experienced a fresh start.  People who were known for being corrupt were given another chance.  There is no one who is beyond the forgiveness and restoring grace of Jesus.  Seek the Lord while he may be found … let him return that the... Continue Reading

If you have trusted in people or things to save you, or your loved ones, you know how hopeless it can be. In contrast, the psalmist points us to hope in the Lord God, “Blessed is he…whose hope is in the LORD his God” (Ps. 146:5). Our help and our hope is secure in Him... Continue Reading

God never promised that all of our days would be filled with passion. Nor, actually, is passion listed as a virtue. Guess what is listed as a virtue? Perseverance. You will have days, weeks, even seasons that are characterized by passion for what you’re doing. And you will have periods of time—sometimes long periods of... Continue Reading

As Martin Luther says: “Parents should consider that they owe obedience to God, and that, above all, they should earnestly and faithfully discharge the duties of their office, not only to provide for the material support of their children…, but especially to bring them up to the praise and honour of God. As a parent... Continue Reading

Updates are important. Marriage status can change. Ministry status can change. Recently, I was able to move one of the men on my “Wreckage” list back over to my “Pastors” list. About a week later, unfortunately, I had to move another name from the “Pastors” to the “Wreckage” list.   I have always known that... Continue Reading

“Jesus, why are you being so insensitive? Why don’t you care more about the people? Don’t you realize that the people you just chased out of the Temple are good guys?”   In our day, we wouldn’t be surprised if this was in Mark 11:15-19, the account of Jesus driving the money changers out of... Continue Reading

Why ask God for a Legal Avenger? Not to bring justice, but to show sin. What causes sin? I do. What reveals it? The law does. What if I had never heard the law, and David’s request for a harsh Avenger is not granted?   Should you then abandon David’s plea that God use his... Continue Reading

If an unjust judge who couldn’t care less about his people can be pestered into doing the right thing, then so would a righteous and loving God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night. But the portrait of the judge caving in to the widow’s incessant nagging still doesn’t feel... Continue Reading

Dads do not babysit; they parent. Allowing Mom to rest while dad takes care of the child is a worthy objective, but the primary focus is not giving mom a break. Dads who view baby care as serving their wives may still view the mom as the primary person responsible for parenting. This mind-set runs... Continue Reading

As we grow to be more like Jesus and encourage others in the same, our interests will change, the ways we do things will brighten, and our approach to everything—all aspects of our cultural lives—will be more and more to bring glory to God rather than to pursue mere self-indulgence (1 Cor. 10.31). Those who... Continue Reading