Matthew 24:4-14 in the Bible says: “Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but theContinue reading “As I Rise…”
Category Archives: Authority
The Fine Line Between Faith and Fantasy
What is the difference between faith in the invisible God and fantasy? Or the difference between faith and presumption? The lines that separate faith from fantasy and presumption can be fine, but they are definite and they are clear. Failure to recognize those lines can be the difference between life and death, between truth andContinue reading “The Fine Line Between Faith and Fantasy”
Exercise Your Liberty Only with Those Who Appreciate It
1 Corinthians 9:20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ thoseContinue reading “Exercise Your Liberty Only with Those Who Appreciate It”
Digging Into Today’s Text
Here is the quoted text in its paragraph: “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” (Hebrews 9:24) The book of Hebrews provides a comprehensive explanation of Christ’s role asContinue reading “Digging Into Today’s Text”
God Speaks in the Most Unusual Ways
As the young boy nervously tiptoed to the bedside, his dying grandfather motioned for him to hold his hand. In his final moments, this family elder wanted to make sure the next generation understood a most important lesson. He pointed to the cross-stitch sign above his head and asked the lad to read it. TheContinue reading “God Speaks in the Most Unusual Ways”
His Sovereignty No Matter What
The Bible is crystal clear: God is sovereign over all his creatures, everything that happens unfolds according to his plan, without exception. If you’re encountering these ideas for the first time, you likely have a few questions, especially with regard to God’s sovereignty over evil. If God planned all things that ever come to pass,Continue reading “His Sovereignty No Matter What”
Luke 11:9-13 and the Nature of God
Luke 11:9-13 primarily focuses on teaching about prayer and the nature of God the Father, it indirectly reveals certain aspects of the nature and character of Jesus Christ. Here are a few key insights: In summary, while the primary focus of the passage is on prayer and the character of God the Father, it indirectlyContinue reading “Luke 11:9-13 and the Nature of God”
Honor the Emperor
The words are simple, clear, and easy to understand. The apostle Peter exhorted his fellow-Christian believers living in the Roman Empire to “honor the emperor.” But it’s one thing to hear these words and say, “All clear!” It’s another thing to implement them. What if the emperor is downright wicked? Are we still to honorContinue reading “Honor the Emperor”
Debts Not Forgiven
When my husband and I wanted to buy our first house in 2012, we ran into a problem: Neither of us had a credit history. We both came from families with a typical evangelical wariness of debt, and so we’d gotten all the way through college and marriage without a single loan payment between us.Continue reading “Debts Not Forgiven”
Trust the Engineer
Old church signs have become treasures of the past. Catchy marquees have faded into distant memories. Most have been replaced by electronic message screens or simple signage. I was driving through an older neighborhood, where I saw an even older church building, with its sign out front proudly displaying a two-sentence sermon: “When a trainContinue reading “Trust the Engineer”
Intentional Faith 