Can I tell you a secret? Sinners sin. This apparently is a secret because I am amazed how Christians react when sinners do outrageous acts. Our current indignation is about a pair of shoes. (I will not name the shoes or the artist because I believe there is no such thing as bad publicity.) I have seen outrage from Christians, fear this will corrupt our children, and dismay that this...
Preemptive Strike – Day 5
Praying for my pre-Christian Loved One’s In 2020, I want to see some very precious family members come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Paul prophesied to the prison guard, “You and your household shall be saved.” I’m speaking that over my family. I want to see me and my family on fire for God. How about you? Pray with me. “Father, I thank you that you love (name your...
Curse or Habit
Are there generational curses? I don’t think so because of verses like this: Old Testament: “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.” Ezekiel 18:20 NIV New...
Why I Dance
If Jesus had just provided a way to heaven, that would have been more than enough. If I had to endure the trials & sufferings of this world with the hope of a future glory, I would still praise Him. But my God, who loves extravagantly, not only rescued me from darkness, sin, hopelessness, He brought me into His Kingdom, placed me in His son, removed all guilt, shame &...
Only One Way
“No one comes to the Father except through me.” This phrase appears almost word for word in every translation I read. When Jesus spoke this, apparently it was very direct and not subject to interpretation. It was not spoken as a parable but as a statement of fact. Yet this phrase is controversial, dare I say offensive to many. If read in context, it was Jesus defining his identity to...
Not my Brother’s Judge
My brother and I grew up in the same home. A Christian home. We were baptized together. He was six. I was four. We both faltered in our teens, made bad choices. But even in my rebellion, I continued attending church. He did not. But we have remained close. Last night I asked my brother if he believed Jesus was the son of God. His reply, “Yes, but my faith...
It’s Complete
What was the first scripture you memorized? For most it was probably John 3:16. But for me, it was Isaiah 53:5. (I know, I was deep even as a child.) Isaiah 53 prophetically describes the atoning work of Jesus. There are some deep theological truths about the completeness of our salvation found in Isiah 53. Meditate on these truths: He willingly accepted, took upon himself our griefs, our sorrows, and...
No Condemnation
Breaking News: Sinners sin. Sinners are acutely aware that they sin. Too often as Christians, we expect the world to behave like us, forgetting we can only “behave” because the power of the Holy Spirit. Sinners don’t need guilt. They don’t need condemnation. They don’t need shame. They have an abundance of that. What sinners need to know is that there are other options. What they need to know is...
Three Truths
Three Hard Truths from the Story of Cornelius and Peter as told in Acts 10: 1. Salvation is through Christ alone (v. 22). Cornelius was described as devout. He prayed to God and gave alms. He was kind and generous to the Jewish nation. But he lacked one thing. A saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Peter was sent to preach the gospel. To give Cornelius Jesus. This is not exclusionary....
Acceptance Brings Repentance
Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector. Shunned by his countrymen. Rejected by those who knew him. But then, one day Jesus walked by and did the unthinkable. He invited himself over to Zacchaeus’ house not to lecture him, not to list his many malfeasance, not to condemn him, but simply to break bread. Those watching were indignant. How dare he eat with sinners? What kind of prophet would associate with...