Jeremiah wasn’t very popular. God sent Judah good prophets to warn them about the consequences of their idolatry and immorality. Instead, they listened to soothing false prophets who criticized Jeremiah. Even though Judah had already witnessed God sending Israel into captivity because they would not repent, Judah refused to repent. Pastors always have this challenge …
David writes, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Psalm 68:19. The word “daily” stands out to me. Our minds go instantly to Matthew 11:28 where Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come and receive rest from Him. I am reminded of the old hymn …
This does not seem like the time of year to spray for dandelions. You do not see them now! But September is the best time to spray for dandelions. This is when dandelions are moving carbohydrates down into the roots for winter. So they also take weed killer down into the deep roots. The best …
It’s not often you can remember exactly where you were and what you were doing 19 years ago to the day. I was administrating a Christian academy. I got an urgent call alerting me to get a TV on. School came to a halt as teachers and students gathered around and watched the evil attack …
Self-control is the ability to control one’s emotions and behaviors in difficult circumstances. John Maxwell says self-discipline enables one to go uphill. Temptation is always a test of our self-control and self-discipline. Things that don’t usually present strong temptation, will often be more of a temptation in difficult circumstances or when we are running uphill. …
Job 28 could just as easily have been penned by Solomon and placed in Proverbs. It is exceptional. Amid severe and prolonged suffering, Job looks for hidden wisdom. When suffering, we want to know a purpose for it, and we want to sense God. Yet suffering often dulls our ability to grasp wisdom and to …
This morning I read Job 1:22 where it is said of Job after he had lost everything except his wife, his health, and three self-righteous friends: “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” When things do not go like we desire, we are often tempted to think it justifies sin. …
I went to the dentist Wednesday because an abscessed molar was causing a swollen lump, some discomfort, and a lot of itching. The dentist said the time to fill the cavity was a year ago, so I had him pull it out. I Corinthians 12 speaks about the parts of the body and how all …
New windows were installed in the parsonage basement this week. The old windows had been there since the house was built 65 years ago. Suddenly, the basement looks brighter and fresher, the exterior of the house looks newer and even more attractive, and the basement is sealed up much better prepared for winter cold. Everything …
God’s name is majestic in all the earth declares Psalm 8. We may be total idiots destroying our own history, culture, and environment with wild abandon. But God is majestic in the heavens above and the earth below. His own creation testifies to His greatness and glory, to His ability to order and sustain the …
