Monthly Archives: June 2012

6 posts

Fifty Shades of Sin

The book of 1 John, particularly chapter 2, makes a strong plea for Christians not to love the world or anything in the world.  These are strong words. The word world used in this context is not referring to the physical creation, but to the world system, led by Satan, that is diametrically opposed to the kingdom and rule of God. This world is by nature deceptive, often masquerading as a place of light and happiness.  The basic plan of this world system is to make the things of Satan appear to be something different than what they really are.  This is why John argues passionately against loving the world. This is the same world that Paul describes in Ephesians […]

June 21, 2012 – God Remains Faithful

Today is June 21st, the summer solstice.  It is an important date for Christians to mark. The beginning of each of the four seasons is a reminder to you that God keeps his promises. With the beginning of each new season, God is keeping the promise he made thousands of years ago to Noah. After the destruction of the Flood, God made a promise that the seasons would continue as long as the earth endures. Even though man is evil, God promises he will never again destroy all living creatures. Here is the promise as stated in Genesis 8:22: As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. […]

The Last Petition: Beware the Lion

We have come to the last petition of the Lord’s Prayer, as it is recorded in Matthew 6. These fifty-seven words are Christ’s clear directive: “This, then, is how you should pray.” As we have commented previously, when the Son of God, speaking through the Scripture, is this clear and this direct, his people would do well to pay close attention. Given the huge number of books on prayer, it is safe to conclude that learning how to pray is a concern for many Christians. But we are not left without instruction for prayer; there is no better teacher for us about how to pray than the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Because of the straightforward  and simple style of […]

Appreciation for Time for the Talk!

Alex Chediak, author of the popular book Thriving at College, has some good words to say about Time for the Talk, by Steve Zollos. You can check out Alex’s comments here. For more information and how to purchase Time for the Talk click here. To listen to Steve talk about the value of this book with Paul Dean, click the link below. [hr]

Forgive Us Our Debts…

In this next petition of the prayer, Jesus adds the gospel perspective. The Kingdom of God is not something you can earn your way into. Entrance is by the special invitation of gospel grace. This biblical message is consistent and clear. Look at Israel. She was not the greatest of nations, but the least (Deuteronomy 7:7)! God chose the Israelites to be subjects in his kingdom simply because it was his pleasure to do so. Similarly, no one earns his way into Christ’s kingdom. As Colossians 1 teaches, we have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. See how God’s grace plays out in this petition. We are instructed: Forgive us […]

FDR Prayer for D-Day 1944

This prayer was made 68 years ago today by the sitting President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt.  While the prayer lacks some elements of what most of us would consider a fully biblically balanced prayer should be, it is nonetheless, by today’s standards, outrageously politically incorrect.  President Roosevelt had no fear of polls or focus groups. He had no fear of  law suits. He had no fear of someone shouting violation of church and state. Why? Americans realized their utter dependence on God. Take a few minutes to read this prayer.  Notice FDR does not speak of many Gods or many faiths or many religions.  He closes with asking that the will of Almighty God be done. Today, if […]