I can presume that everything is going so wrong and bad that God has forgotten about me or that things are beyond His control, neither of which is true. But I can allow myself to sink into a mood of despair where I have no business being.   This may sound foolish, but I can... Continue Reading

Saul became angry for God and His people when under threat from the Ammonites. He righteously focused his anger, mustered his troops, and with holy zeal for God defended the cause of God and His people. But then, at the end of his reign, he became angry at the popularity of David, because it was... Continue Reading

Paul spoke to his Gentile readers about Israel’s disobedience in rejecting their Messiah: “So they too [Israel] have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you [Gentiles] they also may now receive mercy.” When Paul says that Israel was disobedient in order that Gentiles might get the benefits of the gospel,... Continue Reading

“I will become respected,” I vowed to myself.  It was something I could earn, I learned. If I worked hard enough, made enough sacrifices, I could taste the sweet fruit of respect. If five days of hard work could produce good results, what would six do? If six was better yet, then what about seven?... Continue Reading

If we want to make a difference in the world, prayer is essential. It’s not wasted time. It’s not it’s not just about how we live. It’s about speaking to God, asking him to advance the gospel and transform lives. Prayer is central to the mission of God.   We’re in this small series on... Continue Reading

He gives what is not his to give. To be shrewd is to be mindful of your own interests over those of others, and that is precisely what he does. So, we can easily draw the conclusion that he knew something about the character of his master. He knew, perhaps, the master was a man... Continue Reading

Israel was set apart from the world foremost by the promise of God’s presence, but also by the covenant promises and commands God gave to Israel. But perhaps most significantly, God enshrined His promise to dwell in the midst of His people by granting them a temple in which His presence would spiritually dwell. This... Continue Reading

God’s ironic response to Israel’s rejection of the Holy Spirit and the prophets has a purpose. He’s trying to get their attention. God uses the most “in your face” thing imaginable as a wake-up call.   Acts 7:17–29 (ESV) “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the... Continue Reading

There are many reasons we might struggle to have an answer for these situations. Maybe, like me, we feel embarrassed and inarticulate, scared of offending our loved ones or the risk of changing the atmosphere. Perhaps we have been scalded in the past by hostile responses to our faith. What if we mess up, say... Continue Reading

The proliferation of lies, in other words, is not accidental but deliberate—we prefer our lies rather than the truth. We love to crouch in shadow rather than give an inch toward the light. And we do this because we ourselves are evil.   “An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to... Continue Reading