Thoughts on Christ and His Word

Many people avoid reading the Old Testament of the Bible because some of it seems boring.  But the stories are fascinating. We can learn a lot about God from the stories of Joseph, Abraham, David, Ruth, and others. Paul wrote in Romans 15:4: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. So the O.T was written to encourage us to endure on our faith because God was faithful back then and He will be faithful now.

Jesus gave the fast-track to leadership: But Jesus called them to  Himself  and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.   Yet  it shall not be so among you; but  whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.   And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave. Matthew 20:25-27 NKJV Do you want to be a leader with others following you?  Learn to serve. Ask others the question Jesus asked the two blind men:  "What do you want me to do for you?" Matthew 20:32

Seth Godin, a guy who is kind of a guru of marketing and business wrote the following blog on anxiety which I thought was very good and biblical: "Perhaps your anxiety is specific to magicians" I found that quote in a strangely-translated instruction manual for an obscure but beautiful trick. But it has wide applicability. Perhaps your anxiety is specific to artists or musicians or to anyone who has to stand up and stand out and stand for something. It turns out that your anxiety isn't specific at all. Perhaps it is due to the fact that you're trying to control things that you can't possibly control. Your anxiety might merely be a sign that you care deeply about your work. Anxiety is almost never a useful emotion to carry around. Even for magicians. Now that you've been reminded that you care, it pays to let the anxiety go.  Good riddance. Here is the biblical exhortation: Do not be anxious about anything, but in eve...

At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin said "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately".  He knew that unity was the key to victory in the fight against tyranny. As Christians, we face a greater threat than King George of England.  The Devil has a global kingdom full of demonic minions ready to pounce on us at the slightest sign of weakness.  One of the greatest weaknesses of Christians in the free world is their tendency to disunite - to leave their fellow believers over the smallest of issues.  Gossip, arrogance, slander, holding on to grudges, and the like have separated many a Christian from his/her church. God wants us to GROW UP and learn to forgive and to confront others in love so that his family (the church) could enjoy love and peace.  A church that can do this is a mature church full of the Holy Spirit and will bring maximum glory to God. Make every effort to keep the unity ...

“Drop ‘Loyalty’ from your vocabulary”.  These were the words of Pastor Andy Stanley to a crowd of pastors and other Christian leaders.  He followed that up with a statement that loyalty didn’t even make it to the “fruit of the Spirit” list. While I’m sure he believes in loyalty, Andy understands that loyalty is not something we demand from people; it is something people freely give.  Loyalty is earned by leaders who through love and service have won the hearts of faithful friends and followers.  In the Bible there are many examples of loyalty, perhaps none more famous that Ruth’s loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi.  But Naomi did not demand it; just the opposite, she urged Ruth to return to her people and remarry after the death of her husband (Naomi’s son).  But Ruth remained loyal. Naomi had obviously been a great mother-in-law to Ruth, so Ruth was not about to let her go alone. So Ruth uttered those famous words to Naomi: “Don’t urge...

I got pooped on by a bird today.  I was sitting under a tree reading my Bible.  A bird was perched on a limb of that same tree, right above me.  The bird had to take care of his business, so he just let it fly---right on me.  Why was I pooped on today?  Because the Law of Gravity states: "You sit under a bird that needs to poop; you get pooped on". Minutes before I got pooped on I read this: The LORD has brought her grief because of her many sins.  Lamentations 1:5b The verse is talking about the city of Jerusalem.  The Lord summoned the Babylonians to destroy the inhabitants of Jerusalem because of their many sins.  The Law of God says: " the LORD disciplines those he loves " (Proverbs 3:12).  Discipline always involves pain and grief.   So as surely as poop falls on a person who sits under a tree with a pooping bird in it, so grief and discipline will come upon those whose life is full of sins.  The Law of Cause and ...

A lot of people hate tattoos.  Many others sport them with great enthusiasm. Many people get a tattoo to honor their girlfriends or mother or other significant people in their lives.  Some have had to erase ex-girlfriends names from their arms or backs (ouch, I think that must hurt). I don't know if what God is describing is a tattoo, but look at what he says through Isaiah: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?   Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands... Isaiah 49:15-16 Is an engraving in the hand a tattoo? I'll let you decide. But here's the greater point - God will never forget about you.  No matter how low in life you are, how terrible you feel, how beaten up Satan has you, God says " I will not forget you!" Next time you feel lonely, unloved, forgotten, or despised, REMEMBER that God has your name  engraved on...