World View

68 posts

God’s Approval Of Job’s Curse

In the third chapter of Job he recalls the total and horrific tragic events that brought overwhelming despair and agony to his life. He curses the day he was born and wishes that the day he was conceived would be erased. The chapter ends with these words: “What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes.” Job had suffered all that we dread as humans. God took his property, livestock and then, even his children. And on top of that he is inflicted with painful sores all over his body. Only his wife is left and she urges him to curse God […]

Low-Tech Terror In Your Neighborhood

Low-tech terrorism is an ugly, cowardly, but effective means to bring fear to many. It represents a threat to families going about their daily activities. And, of course, it is designed to be unsettling to your children. What do you tell them? How do you ease their fears? God continues to be your refuge and your strength, even in times of trouble and uncertainty. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. He knows your children’s most intimate thoughts and fears. He controls the acts of men, even the awful deeds that are done. This is how he works all things for good for his people. Here is a prayer for you and your children that will encourage […]

Are You Entitled To Tomorrow?

Many in western culture are obsessed with tomorrow. People assume that tomorrow will come. There is a comfort that comes from thinking that tomorrow is another day. The problem is that there is no guarantee that tomorrow will come for you, for your children, for your country, for your planet. Your well-being for today and the arrival of tomorrow is connected to the purpose and plan of God. Here is what Jesus says: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25-26) Notice Jesus says we are unable to do a very little thing like adding an hour to […]

50 People and the Power of Thanksgiving

In 1623 William Bradford, at age 33, issued a proclamation of Thanksgiving for the remaining Pilgrims who had landed on Plymouth Rock. Because of winter storms their ship, the Mayflower, came ashore several hundred miles north of their planned destination. Half of the initial company that sailed from England died in the brutal first winter after their arrival. These Pilgrims endured because of a fierce desire to be free to worship the God of the Bible. They were a literal handful of people. Yet they survived, fueled by gratitude. Think of it, fifty or so people, faced with overwhelming odds, with only the mercy of God to sustain them, helped to change the course of human history. Fifty people. Do […]

Thought for the Lord’s Day

Strength when you need it – a prayer for weary fathers: O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak     and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired,     and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not […]

Are you preparing your children for a mirage?

We all talk about what we are going to do tomorrow, or this weekend or next year. We talk about plans for our kids’ college. We provide music lessons, sports practices, and vocational training. We have college funds and plan for things we want them to have as adults. We provide school to prepare them for the road ahead. We encourage them to be healthy. All of this is good and necessary, with one condition. Do we also tell our kids that all that we are planning for has no more substance than the morning mist? Or do we give them the impression that we know what is going to happen tomorrow or the day after? Do we earnestly tell […]

Moses’ Challenge

  Some 3,600 years ago, Moses delivered his final thoughts to the people of Israel. Among them were these words: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Each day you have a choice, you can follow the path of death or follow the path of life. Sound […]

Honoring Your Mother 24/7

Flowers and gifts on Mother’s Day are very good. But God has called us to honor our mothers and wives in greater ways as well. The gospel changes everything about life. The gospel does not draw its power from human performance, but rather, human efforts draw their power from the Holy Spirit. His power is not limited by human weaknesses. So when we read the exhortation of Proverbs 31:31 to honor mothers and wives for all that they have done, we are not rating their performance, but instead,  we are honor them with gratitude simply for who they are. Motherhood is part of the plan of God to bring glory to himself. For Christians, we have the additional blessing of […]