Early this morning the Sun passed directly over the equator on its journey towards the Tropic of Cancer. Most of us did not stop to think or be thankful for this particular demonstration of God’s care. The reality is that he will be faithful whether he is asked to be or not. Because God is who he is, he can’t be anything but faithful to his promise he made to Noah thousands of years ago and to all of his promises. In our human interactions we are accustomed to unfaithfulness on many levels. Politicians throughout history have earned the reputation of being unfaithful to their promises. Relationships are remarkable because unfaithfulness is more common than faithfulness. So, doubt tends to […]
World View
68 posts
Jesus teaches his disciples what prayer should look like in Matthew 6. Then he makes several observations regarding the impact that prayer should have on your everyday life. He speaks of heart allegiance, worries about food, clothing, life’s basic necessities, and how long you will live. He feeds the birds and tells you that you are more valuable in his eyes. He contrasts all of these concerns with the reality that God knows all that you truly need and more. The first portion of Psalm 139 beautifully and intimately describes how God knows everything there is to know about you. He even knows your thoughts before you have them. The exact days that you will live have been determined by […]
Jesus makes a huge point of not placing too much value on the treasures of earth. Christ is not saying that these earthly treasures hold no attraction. He is not making light of the really special things that our life here has to offer. If these things didn’t have value, Christ would not have called them treasures. But what Jesus wants you to know is that the treasures of heaven far exceed the treasures earth has to offer. So how do Christ’s words apply to your children? Are you focusing on the things that will provide the treasures of earth for them, or is your heart focused on helping them to see the value of the treasures of heaven? In […]
Every four years, as Americans, we have the privilege of seeing God’s faithfulness displayed in the transition of the executive office of President. Four years ago, God made Barack Obama once again to be the President of the United States. Tomorrow, January 20th, if things go as planned, Donald Trump will also be made President by the power of God. These two men are radically different individuals. But they have this one thing in common, they each serve at the pleasure of the God of heaven and earth. The Holy Spirit makes this clear in places like Daniel 2 and Colossians 1:15-20. Here are Daniel’s words: “Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. He said, “Praise the name of God […]
The January 2017 issue of National Geographic examines the issue of gender. The editor of the magazine believes gender is not an issue of male and female, but that gender is best understood as numerous points along a spectrum of possible identities. As this special magazine issue indicates, the idea of gender as a spectrum is a recent concept and rapidly changing the way culture and science view the sex of humans. According to National Geographic, gender identity and sexual orientation are fixed realities that are determined by children as they grow. The idea that humans are created male and female by God has been been discarded. The notion that gender can be determined at birth is also dismissed. Note […]
An old man who believed God that he would see the Messiah before he died was rewarded by the Spirit of God when he encountered Mary and Joseph in the temple with their young son. Recalling the words of Isaiah he said this baby was: “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” There is no authentic light in this world but the light of Christ. Anything else that appears to be light is but a reflection of the light of Christ, much in the same way that the moon or the planets have no light of their own – they only reflect the light of the sun. When you look for light look […]
As I write this post the winter and summer solstice is occurring. At 5:44 a.m. EST the sun will shine directly over the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere. Summer officially begins for the Southern Hemisphere and Winter begins for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. December 21st, marks both the longest and shortest day of the year. The reverse will happen on June 21st. Why is this important? Because God made a promise to Noah that the seasons will continue on our planet for as long as it exists. And, this exact moment is proof that God keeps his word. By the time this post is finished the Sun will have ceased it southward journey and begun […]
There is a compelling reason to celebrate the Advent, but it has nothing to do with a particular country. God’s angels burst into the night sky to praise the birth of Christ. In Luke 2 we read how the sky erupted with the praise of the angels: Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Then, in Revelation 5:11-14, we again read of the angels proclaiming the praises our Savior, the Lamb. Why is the Lamb worthy to receive praise throughout the Universe? Because he completed the mission his Father entrusted to his care. The […]
As I left my house to go the store tonight I was greeted by a brilliant view of Venus in the western sky. Then I looked to the east to catch an almost full moon rising above the trees. Both of these beautiful images were lit by the fierce light of the our Sun which had just slipped below horizon. And then I thanked Christ for his everyday gift of maintaining the continuous, controlled explosive power which fuels the Sun’s radiance. Jesus Christ makes the blessings of everyday life possible. Most of the time I forget just how dependent I am upon his everyday sustaining care and power. He makes the Sun to shine. He actively gives you and me […]
Christmas is not typically a time when we consider the problems with our planet, its climate and environment. But the Advent of Jesus Christ means redemption not only for the souls of men, but for the planet itself. For thousands of years planet Earth has suffered from the corrosive impact of sin. Sin corrupted even the animals and the physical creation itself. Things had gone horribly wrong for our planet. But the Advent of the Savior, God’s son, brings hope and joy. Psalms 96 and 98 teach that the physical creation rejoiced in anticipation of his Advent. Read these words from Psalm 98:7-9: Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let […]