God’s Sovereignty and Ungodly Rulers
FH asks this great question: I have read a number of passages and heard a number of preachers and Christians, but I am still trying to understand whether God puts into place and takes down every single king, leader, and president in every nation past, present, future. No matter if they are good or bad, […]
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve (Mark 6:7-13)
After being rejected in His hometown of Nazareth, the Lord Jesus sent out His disciples in six teams of two. Why did He send them in twos? They could have covered more towns if all twelve went separately. A bigger question is why He sent them out at all. Why not have them continue to […]
You Must Grow Up (Ephesians 4:11-24), Part 2
You must grow up. That’s what Paul told the Ephesians. They should not remain as spiritual children. The question is, how does that growth happen? As I explored in the last blog, Paul said that growth takes equipping. For example, that’s what pastor-teachers are for—not to do all the ministry themselves, but to equip the […]
You Must Grow Up (Ephesians 4:11-24), Part 1
Those of us who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s will remember one of the most famous jingles in retail history: I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid; they got a million toys at Toys R us that I can play with We have idolized childhood, haven’t we? How often […]
Jesus Rejected in His Own Hometown (Mark 6:1-6)
President Donald Trump was born and raised in Queens, New York City. He rose to the highest office in the land. Yet the mayor of NYC and the governor of NY State both speak very badly of President Trump. Most of the people in NYC do not welcome President Trump. He illustrates the Biblical principle […]
Five Reasons You Cannot Be a Lone Ranger Disciple
Question: Am I truly being a disciple if I’m doing it alone? Answer: That’s a good question, especially for today, when social media has become a substitute for flesh and blood relationships with real people. There are extreme circumstances where you have no choice but to be alone. I’m thinking about someone who comes to […]
The Rapture and the Age of Accountability
Martin asks a question that deals with the Rapture but also applies to the gift of everlasting life: The age of accountability is always mentioned when dealing with the death of a child or someone with mental disabilities. In 1 Thess 4:17, does the harpazō [catching up, i.e., the Rapture] include those who have not […]
Run to Jesus
When you’ve done something wrong, and you know you’ll be in trouble, the natural instinct is often to run and hide. That’s what the first sinners did after they committed the first sin and knew they’d be in trouble (i.e., that they would die!). So they tried to hide from God: And they heard the […]
Faith in Jesus for Salvation Versus Faith in God the Father for Salvation
Nikki asks a very important question: If one is saved by believing in Jesus, then why does Rom 4:24—“Now it [Gen 15:6] was not written for his sake alone that it [righteousness] was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our […]
You Get What You Give (Luke 6:27-38)
In Jesus’ sermon on the plain, He gives some extremely demanding commands: “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. […]