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This week, we’re talking about a controversial email that government employees received this past weekend telling them to reply back with a list of things they accomplished last week or be fired. People have some strong opinions about this, and I think it is good for us to think about this from a Biblical perspective.Continue Reading
Each person has a different background, upbringing, life experience, education, and so on. Therefore, we approach things with a unique perspective. Because of this, people can look at one event, fact, or piece of information and react very differently. A simple example of this is in the realm of sports. A fan of one team can watch a game with a fan of the opposing team, and though there is just one outcome (one team wins the game), one fan will celebrate while the other is disappointed.
Following the Babylonian captivity, God’s people assembled in Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. When the foundation of the temple was completed, two contradictory reactions were made to it.
“Now when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel. They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.’ And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away” (Ezra 3:10-13).
This is an example of people viewing an event from different perspectives and reacting accordingly. Those who had never seen the first temple shouted for joy. Those who had seen the first temple and knew from personal experience the difference between the two wept.
This was not a matter of right and wrong. The people who rejoiced were not wrong to do so, nor was it wrong for the ones who wept to react the way they did. Yet the need at that moment was to build the new temple. Their different perspectives were understandable and were even fine to have as long as they did not hinder them from doing the work the Lord wanted them to do.Continue Reading
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This week we’re talking about seasons. The previous episode was released on Thanksgiving day, which is the start of the “holiday season” in the U.S. That got me thinking about the seasonal nature of life. I don’t mean what we typically think of – the “stages” of life (youth, young adulthood, married, children, children grown, grandchildren, retirement, etc.). Instead, I’m thinking about the seasons that should naturally occur throughout the year which, thanks to modern technology, are easy to ignore. I want us to consider a few thoughts along these lines today.
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“My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body” (Proverbs 4:20-22).
In the book of Proverbs, the wise man sought to impart wisdom to his son. It is natural for one to want to help his children or other young people in this way. As we get older, we have lessons that have been shared with us by others, knowledge we have learned on our own, and wisdom we have gained from our experiences. The wise man of the book of Proverbs – as well as the others who wrote the words we can read in the Scriptures – had these words revealed to them by God (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13). Therefore, the lessons we find in the Bible are particularly important.
So, what lessons are needed for young people today? We are going to briefly notice a few examples from the Scriptures. As was the case with the wise man’s words to his son in the book of Proverbs, these instructions are not just for young people. All of these instructions are good for both the young and the not-so-young. Let us consider seven lessons here.Continue Reading
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9, KJV).
In the verse above, Paul told the Galatians that they were not to “lose heart in doing good” (NASB). Yet this often happens. We become exhausted through the activities, pressures, and obligations of life. This is something that everyone faces. However, as Christians, we need to deal with this feeling appropriately and not allow ourselves to “lose heart.”Continue Reading
Many people – both Christians and non-Christians – are concerned about the poor. Individuals and families provide money and resources to help those who are in need. Charitable organizations have been established to provide assistance to the less fortunate. Many government programs are funded supposedly for the purpose of ending poverty. Yet poverty still exists.
Some hold to the idealistic notion that poverty can be eliminated. Yet, it is not possible to do this in the fallen world in which we live. Jesus said, “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me” (John 12:8). In other words, there will always be people in poverty. Why is that? To answer that question, let us first consider a few reasons why people are poor.Continue Reading
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This week we’re talking about what it would take to end poverty. Is that even possible? Many people – Christians and non-Christians – are concerned for the poor. Many resources are given to help those who are in need. Charitable organizations have been established to provide assistance to the less fortunate. Many government programs are funded, supposedly for the purpose of ending poverty. Yet poverty still exists. Why is that? We’re going to discuss that today.Continue Reading
What does “propitiation” mean? How is “justification” connected to salvation? What does “sanctification” look like in our day-to-day lives? The Bible uses some powerful words to describe God’s plan to save mankind. However, these words are not always easy to understand, especially when they are not part of our everyday vocabulary. This book explores key Bible terms that unlock the message of the gospel.
Big Words in the Bible examines five important words – Propitiation, Reconciliation, Sanctification, Justification, and Resurrection – using plain language to see how the Scriptures describe these concepts and how the apostle Paul employs them in his letter to the Romans. This book also contains an appendix with eleven additional articles to explore these topics further.
Whether you are new to the Bible and want to grow in your understanding or want a simple way to explain these core gospel doctrines to others, this book will be helpful. With a focus on the Scriptures, Big Words in the Bible helps break down these fundamental topics to shed light on the life-changing message of the gospel and the salvation found in it.
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