January 30, 2018

Pray for Those in Authority (Season 9, Episode 2)

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Pray for Those in Authority (Season 9, Episode 2)

In this season, we’re going to be discussing some lessons from Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus.

Most Christians recognize the need to pray for our leaders. But why are we to do so? The passage that contains the instruction for Christians to pray for those in authority also contains the reason why we are to pray for them. Some may be surprised for the reason given by the apostle Paul. This episode discusses the instruction to pray for our leaders and why we are told to do so.

Article: Pray for Those in Authority

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August 4, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 1): The Problem of Sin

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

There are many problems facing the world today, such as poverty, injustice, famine, and disease. Great amounts of time, effort, and resources are used to try to find solutions to these problems. Even if we have not felt the effects of these ourselves, it is natural as human beings to feel empathy toward those who are suffering. This is particularly true if we heed Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

As difficult as these problems are to face, there is something that is much more destructive and prevalent. That problem is sin.
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April 17, 2014

The Foundation for a Godly Society

Moses and the Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) – the laws engraved onto stone which God delivered to Moses for the children of Israel – give us the blueprint for the foundation of any godly or righteous society. These Ten Commandments are regularly assaulted by those on the “left” as having no place in our government or our schools. The stated reason for their opposition is that the Ten Commandments represent a religious element that has no place in anything related to government. Yet the Ten Commandments represent more than just religion. The reason there is such strong opposition to the display of the Ten Commandments by the “left” is because the Ten Commandments stand in direct opposition to the Liberal’s ideal for society.

Many today view the Ten Commandments as part of the foundation of our religion. Yet they are part of the Old Law which was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). Does this mean they are of no value for us today? Certainly not! But we must use them properly. The Old Testament was written and is preserved “for our instruction” (Romans 15:4). When we study the Ten Commandments, we find the foundations of a godly society.
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June 12, 2013

Trading Liberty for Security

Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin famously said, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” A common variation of this quote is, “People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both.” Though the founding father and those who use this quote today are referring to matters relating to civil government, there is a spiritual truth contained in the statement. How this principle applies to our spiritual lives is of far greater importance than how it applies to the power of human government. So let us consider the spiritual implications of this principle.
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June 6, 2012

Blessings for the One who Sells Grain (6/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 10-12.

People debate the virtues of capitalism and socialism in terms of economic policies. Sometimes you hear arguments made from the Bible for one or the other by religious people (even by irreligious people at times). The following verse is a good one to consider as we try to develop a Biblical view of economics.

“He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it” (Proverbs 11:26).

If people need grain, but one person possesses all of it and refuses to part with any of it, then it is understandable for the people who need grain to think negatively of the one who hoards it.

But if one person has all of the grain and the people need some grain, what should be done? Should he be forced to give it away? Should the government confiscate his grain and redistribute it to those who need it? Should an angry mob come and steal his grain? No, no, and no. What does the Scripture say? He should sell it.
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May 17, 2012

"Let Him Alone and Let Him Curse" (5/17)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 16-18.

As David traveled with his men, a man named Shimei came and followed along with them, cursing David, throwing stones at the king and his servants, and accusing David of being a man of bloodshed who was receiving what he deserved in Absalom’s rebellion. Abishai, one of David’s men, wanted to kill Shimei for his taunting.

“Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and cut off his head.’ But the king said, ‘What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, “Curse David,” then who shall say, “Why have you done so?”’ Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, ‘Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him. Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.’

“So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him. The king and all his people who were with him arrived weary and he refreshed himself there” (2 Samuel 16:9-14).

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April 11, 2012

A Foolish Order from the King (4/11)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 13-14.

After the Philistines were defeated, due in large part to the bravery of Jonathan, Saul issued a foolish and selfish executive order. It is one that should remind us of the dangers of having one fallible man possessing so much authority.

“So the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven. Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.’ So none of the people tasted food.

“All the people of the land entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. When the people entered the forest, behold, there was a flow of honey; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

“But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, he put out the end of his staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. Then one of the people said, ‘Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food today.”‘ And the people were weary.

“Then Jonathan said, ‘My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great’” (1 Samuel 14:23-30).

Notice that God delivered the Israelites and had blessed them with the spoil of the land. Yet Saul, the king, because of his selfish, self-serving priorities (avenging himself on his enemies), issued an order restricting the use and enjoyment of a blessing that had been given by God.
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