Are you under a lot of stress? The answer came out more quickly than I anticipated, and a dam broke as the tears followed suit. I wanted to grab the yes proceeding from my lips and shove it back down deep inside where no one except God knew how weak I had become. Normally, I would reserve my moments of weakness to the confines of my home and in the quiet alone with the Lord and my thoughts. It is…
There are two words you would least likely expect to see or to hear used in the same breath. Those two words would be Charismatic legalism. It came to mind about a year ago when I was thinking about some of the things I was once taught over the years in a Charismatic church, things which were viewed as freedom but were really creating shackles. Few words tend to make a believer in Christ bristle more than the word legalism….
You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5,6 ESV For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14…
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in…
It is January 21, 2021. No, these numbers do not have a mystical or prophetic meaning. It is the day that the Lord has made, and we are to rejoice in it regardless of the current state of affairs. It is the day after the forty-sixth President of the United States was sworn into office. Though I am personally concerned about the future of our nation morally, I am even more concerned about the eternal state of individuals. This concern…
Have you ever had thoughts that you knew if said out loud could breed contention? It is probably safe to say that there is quite a bit you and I keep to ourselves. Maybe we do it out of intimidation or fear, or maybe we do it to spare someone’s feelings. Maybe we refrain from asking tough questions because of the aftershock it could bring. But there comes a time when the tough things need to be said, and tough…