The world is such a confused place. For many, discussing evil spirits is fascinating, as looking into dark mysteries beyond our world can be a thrilling and adrenaline-packed ride. For Christians, such conversations are entered into with a fear and respect, as we are speaking of dark and evil things beyond our realm and understanding. It is therefore with caution that we approach this subject. The Bible clearly teaches us that demons do exist, and they are opposed to God and His righteousness. Further, we know this topic is far too easily glorified and dramatized. The specific focus of our present conversation will be to better understand how the Bible defines and separates demonic possession and influence from the serious mental health challenges that are so prevalent today.

When we read the Bible, it sometimes appears to say things that just don’t make sense. Think about the scripture that plainly says God did not want the Apostle Paul to preach the gospel in Asia. Why not? Jesus told his disciples to preach the word throughout the world. Didn’t Asia count? This apparent discrepancy can stimulate all kinds of questions and even provoke doubt as to the equity of God’s character. The good news is, the answer to all of this is not only sensible, but also profound and inspiring as well. When we understand the lay of the land, the literal geography of the area and the big picture of the mission the disciples were given, a whole new conclusion emerges.

By definition, being a Christian is all about following in Jesus’ footsteps. It’s all about learning how to walk the walk and talk the talk that he himself lived. Of course, this is no easy task, as we are challenged with applying the life lessons he taught us 2,000 years ago to the very different lives we live in our present digital age. As different as all of this is, some things are very much the same. Jesus’ promise to prepare a place for his true disciples in heaven is the same. His assurance that God’s spirit would guide us is the same. His alerting us to the trials that come to us because we follow him is the same. Having Christ in us producing the hope of glory is the same. So, what does it mean to have "Christ in you"? Is this an automatic thing that happens when we believe, or is it the end result of a long journey of growth?

“Tell the truth!” For many of us, we can recall that strongly stated advice as coming from our parents when we were caught doing or saying something that we shouldn’t have. The immediate dilemma was obvious. If I tell the truth, then I’m going to get in trouble. If I lie or just tell a part of the truth, I may get away with it. But what if they found out I lied? Then I might be in even more trouble! While we as adults may look back upon such dilemmas and smile, the reality is, we as Christians must always be on our guard to practice being truthful and having integrity every day and in every way. What does this mean? How are we supposed to handle the countless compromising circumstances of life where half-truths and exaggeration come into play? And what about little white lies?

To many Christians, the fear of an eternal place of torment for unbelievers is very real. In the first four parts of this Hellfire Series, we addressed many of the sources of these fears one at a time. What we have seen is straightforward. First, the concept of "unquenchable fire" comes from the Old Testament and simply means a fire of destruction that burns until its work is done. Second, “weeping and gnashing of teeth” refers to deep regret on the part of those who should know better and has nothing to do with flames and torture. Third, the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is just that. It is a parable that demonstrates the unfaithfulness of the Jewish nation when they rejected Jesus. Fourth, history plainly reveals the origin of torture and flames in an afterlife comes from pagan origins and is not at all biblical. Finally, here we are looking at the book of Revelation. Do its graphic statements fit in with all that we have previously discovered? Absolutely!

Morality can be a tricky thing. For the most part, humans do want to behave in a moral fashion. The tricky thing is figuring out how to actually define what qualifies as "moral behavior" and what does not. As Christians, this task of defining is supposed to be easier than for most, because we have God’s word as our clear foundation for our moral principles. I say "it’s supposed to be easier" because Christianity has demonstrated for thousands of years that claiming the name of Christ is far from a guarantee of moral behavior. So, what are we supposed to do with this? How do we take what God has clearly given us in His word and live it daily? How do we handle it when fellow Christians see aspects of God’s moral principles in a different light that we do?

To be moral is to conform to a standard of right behavior. Ideally, to be moral is to stand for principles and actions that are positive and contributory to the world in which we live. This sounds great. It sounds like something we would all (with the exception of those who just don’t care) want to live by. However, there is a problem. Who defines what is moral and what is not? Upon whose proclamation do we decide whether someone is acting in a positive and contributory way or in a way that is destructive? Outside of the laws of the land we live in, each of us for the most part has the capacity to develop a personal moral code. The big question is, do we each define that moral code based on personal experience and preference, or do we define it by what we would consider to be higher guidelines?

Jesus is Lord. He sits at the right hand of the throne of God, which is the position of highest power and authority in ALL of God’s glorious creation. This position was not thoughtlessly given. It was awarded to Jesus because his loyalty to and reverence for the heavenly Father were and are without equal. This position of unfathomable power and glory was attained by Jesus as a result of his willing submission to a grueling test of loyalty. This test was not only unique, but it was also profoundly necessary for the good of God’s angelic creation, as well as for the future of the entire human race. This test required Jesus to experience change, hardship and uncertainty. It required him to learn, adapt and grow while always being exactly on target with fulfilling God’s will. So, how did he do this?

When Jesus taught, he made many profound and life-changing statements. Here we are thousands of years later, appreciating how what he said can daily lift us up and inspire us. As beautiful as this is, it only scratches the surface. Our theme scripture is a classic example of this. It is awe inspiring to know Jesus is the "bread of life" that vanquishes hunger for all who truly follow him. Now let’s think more deeply. Let’s ask why. Why did Jesus say this? What was the deeper meaning that not only inspires but transforms our lives? Let’s check the context. The scriptures preceding this saying, tell us Passover was coming. In Jewish culture, this time of year brought anticipation for remembering the greatest deliverance in Israel’s history. Jesus would capitalize on this and show them something even greater.

The subject of eternal torment can be volatile, as there are so many variations in its explanations. Aside from all of the questions and debates regarding the interpretation of Scripture, there’s one fundamental question that often gets overlooked: If a hell of torment is the ultimate consequence for sin, did God’s people always know that? Think about the power of this question. For the many Christians who see the eternal torture of hell as a deterrent from sin, wouldn’t God in His justice have given all of His people through all of history ample knowledge of this overwhelming consequence? Is the doctrine of eternal torment plainly revealed throughout the whole Bible? When do we see this teaching revealed in any ancient pagan belief systems? What is the origin of hellfire?  

The teaching of a burning hell as the end result for those who reject Jesus is widely accepted in many Christian circles. Our emphatic belief is that this teaching is not based on the Bible, but rather on traditions that have misinterpreted what the Bible teaches. In the first two parts of our series, we addressed what “unquenchable fire” in Scripture does and does not mean, as well as how to understand the true meaning of “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Here in Part III, we examine what Jesus meant in his teaching about the Rich Man and Lazarus. Of all the verses in the Bible, some of the descriptions in this teaching can most easily be accepted as supporting being consciously tortured in flames. So, what’s the answer? Can being “tormented in this flame” be clearly and biblically explained?  

The world of politics IS our world. It is incredibly difficult to go through a typical day of interactions and online activity without being BOMBARDED with some form of political activism or opinion or outrage. With political victory comes power, and with power comes authority. With authority comes the ability to shape the lives and directions of the masses. Because of where we are in the stream of time, the grip of politics is not likely to let up at all. On the contrary, it is likely to grow and dominate. So, what is our role as Christians? Should we apply ourselves to get involved so we can bring sound thinking, righteousness and integrity to the process for the greater good of all people? Or should we stay away from the whole process, knowing it is ultimately going to fall apart anyway?

If you look at any cross section of our present-day society, you will find that most of humanity suffers from physical or emotional maladies of one kind or another. It doesn’t matter what people’s belief systems are, suffering is universal. Who amongst us wouldn’t want to have some of that suffering taken away in a miraculous fashion? Who wouldn’t want their arthritis healed or their cancer cured, or their hearing or eyesight restored? The Christian teaching of faith healing some groups of Christians adhere to can be a very attractive and exciting proposition. If I have enough faith, and if I go and see this or that preacher who can wield the power, praise God, I can have relief! As attractive as this might be, we need to ask the fundamental questions. Is this what Jesus taught? If not, what do we do with it?  

Most people know something about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The core thought that is well-known is the concept of helping a total stranger in a time of their great physical need. Think about it, there are laws in place to protect those who engage in helping strangers in case something goes wrong, called "Good Samaritan laws." There are organizations in place to promote these kinds of acts of brotherly kindness. There are ministries and hospitals that bear this name. As wonderful as all this is, the message Jesus was giving when he spoke this parable is far deeper. The bottom line is, if we work on understanding and actually applying his true message, we will learn to become not only true neighbors, but we will also grow to be that much closer to the image of Christ.

In Part I, we looked into what Jesus really meant when he talked about “hell" and "unquenchable fire.” Gehenna, the Greek word Jesus used for “hell,” describes a valley in which horrible acts of idolatry occurred. God proclaimed this valley would be known as a valley of slaughter, a valley that would symbolize utter destruction. Further, we discovered that when Jesus spoke of “unquenchable fire,” he was referring to Old Testament fires of destruction that would burn until there was nothing left to be consumed. While these realizations take the eternal torture and flames out of the concept of hell, we still have other words of Jesus to consider. What about all of the times that Jesus said some would experience “weeping and gnashing of teeth”? What was he describing?

To the critical observer, modern Christianity is confusing as we have countless denominations and their countless ways of interpreting Scripture. These widely varied interpretations give birth to widely varied traditions that support those interpretations. As a major subset of this, we have wide discrepancies regarding the destiny of unbelievers. Several times, Jesus plainly taught about the consequences of hell. The enormous question that needs answering is, did he teach hell was a place of agonizing and eternal torture from which there is no escape, or were his several references to hell pointing to a very different meaning? Today’s focus will be on the primary New Testament word Jesus used to describe hell. If we understand the word and its context, we will understand Jesus’ meaning.

Everyone wants to be heard. Being heard is not only an acknowledgment of our existence but also confirms our value. Being listened to helps us find a place of significance in whatever social order we happen to be engaging in. To be heard - to be truly paid attention to - is to be recognized as the individual you are. Because so much rides on our ability to be heard, how do we enhance that ability? How do we better place ourselves in this position of mutual respect and contribution? Do we speak louder? Do we elevate our passion, or raise our voice or talk faster? Many of us likely have little to no idea how to enhance this ability of communication, and what we think we know are in many cases backwards. As we look at this question through the eyes of biblical principles, the answers will become obvious!

Habits are BIG! In many ways, habits - whether they are good or bad for us - dominate our lives. The odd thing is we are not even generally aware of how deeply rooted they are and how much control they really have. In Part I of our 2-part habits series, we looked into the habits that define our personal lives, those things we do that may or may not impact those around us. In this episode, we look into the habits that define our public lives, those things we do when others are watching or engaging. The science of habits tells us the human brain is capable of being rewired through our conscious efforts. While this truth might be surprising, it also offers us a foundation for change. The Christian question here is, do I present myself in public in a way that brings glory to God, or do I have work to do? How are my social habits?  

Human beings are undeniably creatures of habit. Let me dramatically oversimplify the whole habit thing for a moment to make a point. Habits are formed as tools to bring us comfort, reward and what we believe we want in life. Little kids test this all the time. A child with a very focused mind wants to do things their own way. Instead of listening, they argue and even rebel because doing it their way is what they find the greatest reward in. Another perhaps less stubborn child will fight and argue for their own way and then back off because their parent’s approval or recognition gives them a greater reward. This oversimplified comparison helps us see that our human habits are ultimately self-driven. How do we as Christians deal with all of this? What habits should be changed or left alone?

As human beings, we all know what it's like to get fired up about something. We see a circumstance unfold or read about something controversial, or our team wins the game no one thought they could. And we react! We become passionate or energized and feel that adrenaline rush. Suddenly there is no mountain too high or ocean too broad. We’re up for the challenge! Yeah, we all know what that’s like. The question is, is that what having our lives on fire for Christ looks like? Before we get too excited, let’s consider a simple question. What was David referring to when he wrote, “For the zeal of Your house has consumed me,” in Psalm 69:9? Was he talking about being consumed by a moment and reacting, or was he writing about having his very being consumed by a lifelong desire to honor God?

Most of us are likely familiar with what shame feels like. We know all too well that it has the capacity to be a debilitating weight that can cut us off from others and reduce our lives to a cycle of hiding and self-contempt. Such a cycle can bring us to a living space where the ceaselessly droning voices of regret and unworthiness echo in a continuous loop. Even if we are repentant, shame can make forgiveness seem not only undeserved and impossible, but entirely unreachable as well. Our shame now grows into a malignant tumor. Unchecked, it can drain away the goodness and value of our lives. What can we do to battle against and overcome its debilitating characteristics? Fortunately, the Bible shows us many principles to transform shame into a tool for growth!  

Jesus plainly taught that the vast majority of humanity is traveling on the "broad road that leads to destruction." Further he taught that there is a narrow way that leads to life, which is only found by few. For anyone who truly cares about humanity, this can be a very troubling thought. Why would God, the Creator of All Things, set up a plan that's such a losing proposition? Was Jesus really saying there are only a few who will ultimately be saved? If true, then what about all those scriptures that say Jesus died for ALL? If this is not the true understanding, then what does this "broad road to destruction" actually refer to? Fortunately, this can all get sorted out by putting several pieces of biblical reasoning together.

Our world can be confusing and scary. Sometimes it’s hard to know what is true, and sometimes it’s hard to know who to trust. For Christians, coping with this uncertainty should always come down to God’s word. What principles are we given in Scripture that will shine the sure light of truth on whatever dilemma we perceive to be in our way? Some Christian groups have taken to label much of the rampant darkness of our world as the work of “monitoring spirits.” The suggestion here is that these spirits are firmly connected to Satan, and their work is overwhelmingly focused on spying on and disrupting the lives of Jesus’ followers. As we look into this belief, we will ask the same question we always ask: what scriptural basis is there for these conclusions?

Fasting is a practice that has endured for thousands of years. Fasting appears often in the Bible. Among other things, it is used as a tool of focus, an expression of grief and a sign of humility. What seemed to have been a common occurrence in ancient days has now become far less mainstream. So, do all of the biblical references to fasting in both the Old and New Testaments mean we as Christians should be engaging in this practice regularly? If we should be participating, what circumstances bring on appropriate times to fast? Just as importantly, how should we fast? Are there time frames that should be kept? What about drinking water during a fast - is that appropriate? So many questions! Fortunately, the Bible gives us many practical answers, and some are VERY surprising!

Our world is such a cynical place. Sometimes it feels like every time you turn a corner, you’re met with frustration, unrest and a lack of trust. Because we have so many platforms through which we can speak, we do. When we speak, our words and sentiments are often full of accusation and vitriol. We harshly address “those people.” You know the ones. "Those people" on the other side of this or that issue whom we often label as uneducated or ignorant, as members of the wrong party, wrong belief system, wrong ethnicity or wrong culture. We speak to be heard, and we neglect speaking so others will listen. We are cynical, and this cynicism is to the detriment of all. As Christians, we should NOT participate in this damaging interpretation of free speech. So, is it possible to be cynical in a positive way?

In Part I, we talked about the great power of the solemn promises in the Bible called covenants. We observed how God had made several of these solemn promises, and that several are specifically labeled as “everlasting covenants.” As we look at Bible history, we can see that all of God’s promises have already been made and are already functioning - except for one. This one promise yet to be unfolded is the “New Covenant.” While this promise is clearly defined in Jeremiah, it is alluded to in several other books of the Bible. So, is the only difference between this New Covenant and God’s other promises the fact that it is yet coming, or are there more pieces to this puzzle?

As Christians, we take great comfort in knowing that God is a God of unfathomable wisdom and integrity. We may be faced with things in life we never saw coming, but God is never caught off guard. With His foresight and eternal wisdom, He is not only prepared for anything, but He has preplanned for everything. God is also always as good as His word. He does not make a promise and then haphazardly decide not to keep it. In the Bible, covenants are really solemn promises. Throughout Scripture, God has made many of these promises with the description of being “eternal.” One such covenant was the Law given to Moses. It seems the Law was described as everlasting, and yet the New Testament tells us it loses its validity. Did God change His mind?

In Part I of our two-part conversation about influence, we began to uncover just how broadly and how deeply the power of influence runs. In our world today, influence has taken on a new - and in some ways even more significant meaning - than ever before. Now because we have social media, we have created a space for influencers to arise within our midst. Sometimes these individuals appear on the scene from very unlikely backgrounds. The vast majority of the most popular of these influencers have been given our attention because they are famous. Curiously, much of their influence is not based on the expertise that was required to master their craft. Because influence happens all of the time at all different levels, our big question now is, how can we become more effective influencers in our everyday lives?

Influence. We are all touched by it in countless ways and countless times each and every day of our lives. Influence comes from all corners of life. If we are partial to someone, we generally accept their influence positively. If we are at odds with someone, we generally look down upon their influence. Either way, they influence us. Influence comes from advertising and social media. It comes from politicians and educators. It comes from books, movies and shows. It comes from those who enforce and those who break the law. It comes from our superiors, our peers and our subordinates. Influence has become such a central factor in our world that we now focus on and follow those we call influencers! To have influence is to have power. To have power is to have control. And to have control can easily bring the manipulation and domination of others.  

Let’s begin by stating the obvious: the world is a mess! Now, we all know the world has been a mess for a very long time, so the question is, is this even news? The answer is yes, it is! Our present-day mess has everything to do with the ability to be connected with as many perspectives on and interpretations of truth as we would like. We can now easily and often categorize, judge or ignore anything and everything that doesn't fit into our personal world view. All of this brings us to a place where we effortlessly define good and evil according to preference and not principle. We believe Jesus died and was raised to redeem the world from sin, and yet, we are now so much further from godly principles than ever before. How can we harmonize these seemingly conflicting thoughts?  

Everyone experiences loss in their lives in one way or another. How we attempt to cope with those losses depends upon several things. First, the kind of loss we are facing can dictate whether our response to it is mild, strong or severe. Second, our cultural environment offers up expectations as to how our mild strong or severe responses are to be displayed. In biblical days, grieving over difficult losses was often displayed in a very outward, very public manner. The Bible is full of examples of such public crying, wailing, renting of clothes and despair. For many of us in our present-day mindset, these things may seem to be over-the-top and too dramatic. Actually, when we seek to understand all of this lamenting, we find very strong lessons of faith, growth and acceptance.

Every serious Christian knows about God’s holy spirit. We not only know about it, but we also often talk about what we believe to be its effects upon our lives. Christians speak of being provoked, directed, protected and guided by the spirit. Some of us claim the spirit speaks to us, or perhaps to our pastor, for the purpose of giving us not only instruction, but prophetic utterances regarding our lives as well. In short, our brand of Christianity or denomination has much to do with how we believe the holy spirit works. So, how does it work? Who is right, and who may be mistaken when it comes to understanding and following this mighty power of God in our lives? Not surprisingly, the Bible says a lot about this subject. It also doesn’t say things about God’s spirit we might assume are true.

We don’t know much about the spiritual world, especially before the creation of humanity. What we do know is that it was an entirely harmonious world with loyalty and obedience to God at its center. God foreknew that when pride crept into Satan’s heart and was exposed, it would lead to a massive shift in the way things would run. In heaven, it would no longer be business as usual, for now the lessons of sin and disobedience would be unleashed. These painful but necessary lessons would - under God’s power and providence - ultimately bring the whole of His creation back into the harmony it had left behind, only this time that harmony would be for eternity. How would He make this happen?

Jesus is the Savior of the world. We all know how he left his heavenly glory with the Father and was reduced to the human condition so he could be the ransom - the corresponding price - for Adam and his fall from obedience and grace. By so doing, Jesus gave the whole human race an opportunity for everlasting life. So, when we look at Jesus, we see him as Savior, Redeemer, the Lamb of God, the Author and Finisher of our faith, and I could go on and on. So, why address him as the "last Adam”? Simply looking at such a title actually invites a lot of questions, especially since all the other ways we know Jesus seem to be so much higher and honorable. As we look into this, we will find what we always find: inspiring reasons and lessons that unlock an even deeper understanding of all Jesus has done!

Honor and respect. These seem like simple enough words but try and find them actively functioning in everyday life and you will find that they are surprisingly rare. As we speculate about why this is, we may conclude that we as a social order simply don’t perceive a need for them. The further we go down the road of each of us primarily answering to only ourselves, the less important honor for others becomes. While this may now be socially acceptable, it is far from being scripturally authorized. On the contrary, as Christians, we are solidly instructed to be people who exemplify honor in every aspect of our lives. As we began laying the “how to” groundwork in Part I, we began to see what a difference this practice of giving honor can make in everyday life.

Our society is in trouble. In many ways, it seems that we have lost our way, and we no longer have a general sense of societal respect. Maybe it’s just me, but when I was a kid, I was clearly shown the importance of valuing others. We were taught to respect those in charge, and respect those who enforced the law and kept order. We were taught to have high esteem for parents and educators. We were taught to appreciate and value all who did whatever their part was, be it big or small. Now it seems we are taught respect should be demanded from others and not given. Our go-to approach encourages disrespecting and demeaning any who don’t fit our personal perceptions of how we think life should look. Interestingly, the Bible has a lot to say about how honor and respect should work!

It would seem that most entering into marriage do so with high expectations of a life of happiness, fulfillment and companionship. Unfortunately for far too many, these expectations are foreign to their reality. Excluding marriages that end in divorce, how many are truly happy and fulfilled, and how many are simply going along to get along? These are hard things to look at. In order to do so in a positive and growth-oriented way, we need to establish two basic truths for our conversation. First, let’s understand that “Happily ever after” is a fairy tale ending. The feelings it ignites of an everyday bliss-filled life are unfair and not real. Second, let’s understand that our marriages CAN be happy, fulfilled and full of companionship, IF we know what we’re striving for and are willing to put in the effort!

Jesus was at odds with the scribes and Pharisees. They stood for traditions that had been built upon the foundation of the Jewish Law but were not part of the already complex rules and guidelines God had commanded through Moses so many generations before them. No, these traditions were fabrications, and were likely in place to separate the ruling class from the people. Meanwhile, Jesus stood for the people. He stood for those who were less educated, less fortunate and less prominent, as they were the ones most likely to be open to God’s grace and mercy. This division came to a head shortly before Jesus was crucified, as he directly confronted these leaders with their hypocrisy. In Part I, we began to address the seven powerful "woes" Jesus had proclaimed to them.

Jesus was a wise, loving and compassionate man. His whole reason for becoming a man was to give his life as a ransom for every single human being who ever lived, and you can’t be more selfless and giving than that. Yet, with all of his compassion, Jesus was also one to not mince words when a hard message was needed. This becomes extremely evident when we examine the seven woes he proclaimed to the Pharisees in Matthew chapter 23. Of all the words we have recorded from Jesus’ earthly ministry, these are the most blunt and direct. So, what was Jesus really saying to the scribes and Pharisees? Was he showing a fundamental dislike for them? Was he exposing their true characters so everyone could see? Or was he simply expressing his dislike for who they were and what they stood for?

Let’s face it. We all know that each and every one of us can be better. We can be better human beings, better friends, co-workers, spouses, cousins and certainly better Christians. The challenge here is obvious. Being “better” requires change. Significant change. To be better in whatever area we are focusing on requires a different mindset, which brings different words and actions. This all translates into work! So, how do we go about actually becoming “better”? Where do we start? How many parts of our lives do we try to change? Do we work on them all at once? How do we figure out what the very highest priorities are? What if we fail? How does the Bible guide us with all of these details?

In our last episode, we laid a foundation for understanding and managing harmful biases. One primary lesson we learned was that we ALL - no matter who we are and what our background is - are biased. While this is an uncomfortable truth, it is a necessary realization, for a true Christian is to strive to overcome any and all fleshly inclinations. We also learned this overcoming is no easy task. Just because we may be able to point out a personal bias does not mean we are on a path to dismantle it. On the contrary, often times recognizing our biases can make us very self-protective. In this episode, we continue to uncover specific ways our biases show themselves and specific scriptural principles to deal with them. This is no easy task. Hold on, here we go!

I was recently summoned for jury duty. As I sat in the room at the beginning of the day, the court and its representatives showed some really informative introductory videos on what to expect and look out for when serving on a jury. The main topic they focused on was bias. Their premise was that we ALL have biases and we ALL can be in danger of following them rather than following the simple facts of a case. I was struck by their significant efforts to enlighten and warn about this sometimes subtle but incredibly common enemy of justice. Our claiming to be Christian does NOT somehow magically release us from our previous biases. In fact, our claims to Christianity may even be in jeopardy because of our personal biases. So, how do we learn to recognize this devious and damaging tendency?

We all have heard of the biblical account of Jonah and the whale. Because it is so unique and dramatic, it has been an often-repeated story with many lessons - and rightfully so. What many don’t realize is the magnitude of the events and teachings surrounding this amazing circumstance. First, one point of clarification. It wasn’t a whale, it was a “great fish.” When we examine how and why Jonah came to be in the unlikely position to be swallowed by that fish and what happened afterwards, we end up with a powerful story of God’s will versus our preferences. The bottom line here is that Jonah is an example of what NOT to do when tasked with godly responsibilities. However, he’s also an example of what TO do. Let’s unfold this account and see how both of these descriptions can be true.

As Christians, when we think about Jesus and his reason for being born as a man, we’re always inspired by the selflessness of his sacrifice to redeem Adam and all of humanity from sin and death. This gift is truly beyond anything we deserve. When we think of the Messiah, we instinctively think of Jesus. In our last episode, we explored a Jewish perspective regarding their expectations of Messiah. What we found were several differences, but also several inspiring similarities. Today, we delve deeply into many Old Testament prophecies. We’ll focus in on the astounding detail with which they not only describe Jesus, but also provide all of humanity with the hope for a new life and the opportunity to live it forever. The bottom line? We’re blessed to have God’s amazing plan unfold through Jesus our Lord and Messiah.

Christians differ on a lot of things, and sometimes these differences can be troublesome. The basics we all agree on are centered on Jesus. We believe he died for our sins, and we believe he came to give his truest followers the opportunity to be in heaven with him. We also believe he is the Messiah. As a matter of fact, we look at the Old Testament prophecies and have a hard time comprehending why those of the Jewish faith aren’t able to recognize his Messiahship. It seems obvious! Obvious until we realize a few startling scriptural facts. First, the label “Messiah” is only used twice in the Old Testament. It is only used twice in the New Testament as well. This means that what we see as overtly obvious, may in fact be more hidden than we ever thought. So, what do we do now?

God gave us the ability to understand and appreciate His plan of the ages by revealing that plan within the pages of the Bible. This plan is focused on the necessary steps to bring ALL of His creation - both heavenly and earthly - to an existence that will completely and forever live in harmony with one another under His mighty hand and will. In Parts I and II of this series, we looked at how that shaping and revitalizing to a state of perfection takes place. It began with the Old Testament heroes of faith, continues with the faithful disciples of Christ now, and will come to include an opportunity for each and every human being later. In this episode, we look at the nations of the world, beginning with Israel. What does the Bible tell us about the perfecting process of all these nations? Plenty!

In Part I of our series, we focused on how the New Testament describes "perfection." We found out that Jesus, though perfect, had to be further "perfected" - further completed - by his personal experiences and sufferings in order to fully pay the ransom price for Adam. Similarly, but on a much smaller scale, Jesus’ disciples have a perfect beginning as well. They are given forgiveness for their sins, they are given God’s holy spirit, and they are called "sons of God." With these perfect gifts, they also need to be "perfected' - to be completed in maturity in Christ. This present-day perfecting work is clearly defined in Scripture. So, what about everybody else? Does the Bible show a perfecting work for them? It does! Today we will look at another biblical perfecting process that is not as well-defined and is also a future work instead of being a present work.

God has an amazing plan that includes every human being who has ever lived. Rather than torturing billions for eternity in a fiery hell, this plan will give all of humanity a legitimate opportunity to be taught how to live in a godly and righteous way. We’re saying God’s plan gives EVERYONE an opportunity to become perfect in His sight. Now, if you look around at the condition of our world, it’s really easy to roll your eyes and think with all that’s happening, this plan of God’s is pretty lame! Well, it does look that way, but the reality is that this plan works in specific stages. There is a perfecting work happening right now, but it’s NOT focused on everyone. Our three-part series will walk through how and when Christians, non-Christians and all who have ever lived will have an opportunity for perfection.  

The world around us moves so fast that it’s easy to forget to pause and consider just how profoundly God has blessed us. In the United States, somewhere tucked in between the massive Halloween parties and the exhilaration of Christmas, Santa Claus, presents and fun, is a holiday called Thanksgiving. While we won’t take the time to discuss how it came to be, we do want to remember why. Thanksgiving’s origin was actually simple. It was proclaimed to pause and consider just how profoundly blessed those settlers were to have lived through a hard winter and now experience a harvest in preparation for the next hard winter. In short, the thanksgiving they gave was to God above, period. Today we’ll talk about a similar thanksgiving to God but under the biblical name of Ebenezers.

Way back in the 1980’s Bobby McFerrin recorded and released his very popular song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It's a simple and upbeat perspective on living. When you think about it, the title is a profound instruction for life. Don’t worry; instead, be happy! About 100 years before this catchy song, Hannah Whitall Smith wrote an ageless book called The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life. In it, she detailed a powerful formula for happy living that was based on complete faith in God and fully surrendering to His will. The message in the song and the book are the same, except the book gives us solid “how to” perspectives for Christians. While we won’t be singing the song or reviewing the book, we will be applying scriptural principles that will help make happiness real in our daily Christian lives.

Arise and be baptized! This and many other similar scriptural statements have in many ways defined Christianity. Unfortunately, because Christianity is so splintered it applies these very important words and instructions in a wide variety of ways. Some say baptism changes you, others say it is a symbol, and others say it is necessary for heaven. Some baptize infants, others baptize children and others, adults only. Some baptize into a church or denomination, while others baptize into Christ. Some see baptism as a necessary beginning to walk towards Christ, while others see it as a symbol of having decided to sacrificially follow Christ. How can all of this be one baptism? It can’t! What do we do with all of this? We search the Scriptures and look for the originally intended message behind Christian baptism.

We live in a diverse world, and that can be a really wonderful thing! To observe and embrace the positive differences in our cultures, our backgrounds and our characters is worthy of celebration. Appreciating the immense differences we see in nature due to geographic locations is a fascinating journey through God’s creation. But here is a problem. Diversity, just like most anything else we as imperfect humans celebrate, can go to extremes that take the basic principles of godly righteousness and corrupt them with darkness and evil. This inevitably leads to the destruction of that which is good. What has this got to do with Satan and demons? Everything! Satan and those who follow him are masters of subtlety and can easily make darkness look like light.

As Christians, we all are encouraged by the scriptural principle that God’s angels are watching over us. What better hands could we be in than those who were sent by God himself to care for our very lives! As encouraging as this scriptural principle is, we need to be careful to avoid turning this reverent truth into some kind of human imagination that skews and corrupts its purity. The Bible is very specific as to the kinds of roles that angels do and do not occupy in our human lives. For us to truly appreciate how angelic influence works, we need to be prepared to accept that MANY of the notions and traditions surrounding angels are simply human-based fantasy and imagination. This may sound disappointing, but it’s actually good news, as we want to define angelic activity through God’s word and His word only!

In our last episode, we talked about doubt as a permanent fixture in our present world and experiences and how this can be both a positive thing as well as a negative thing. There are many ways the seeds of doubt are planted. We can doubt as a result of misinformation or misunderstanding. We can doubt when we have a limited perception of our circumstances. We can doubt when we are in a difficult situation or have unmet expectations. Whatever the case may be, doubt is a very real part of our Christian experience. As we continue our conversation in this episode, we will focus on how doubt manifested itself in the New Testament and what we can learn from it. To clearly understand doubt is to open the door that can diffuse it or use it, whichever brings glory to God!

Everybody doubts. So, is this a good thing or a bad thing? The answer is a resounding yes! Doubt can be a godly tool of necessary and righteous caution just as easily as it can be an ungodly tool of imperfect human judgment and destruction. Appropriate doubt that is fact- and integrity-based is an early warning system that can keep us focused on and engaged in the most important things. This kind of doubt is a welcome addition to our lives and should be counted on. By the same token, highly charged doubt that is primarily fed by feelings and personal preferences needs to be examined and adjusted according to higher godly standards. How can we learn to doubt the doubts we should doubt without doubting the doubts that undoubtedly protect us?

Chaos rules. Just look around at the world’s social, political and moral condition. We all want what we want, and we seem to now go to greater lengths than ever before to demand that we have it. Having what we want doesn’t stop there, as we now more often than not demand that what I want is accepted by all. This chaos is not merely limited to my social media presence. Oh no, it expands into my perceived right to relabel any and every aspect of life as I see fit. From politics to family dynamics, to work place expectations to educational environments, we are running towards a social order founded upon disorder. What are we as Christians supposed to do with all of this? How could these unsettling and monumental developments possibly be a part of God’s plan?  

To claim the name of Christ and call ourselves Christians means we are claiming ourselves to be separate from the world. This sounds like a noble claim - and it is - though sometimes you’d never know it. Think about how many people make this claim and bear the Christian label but seem to be just like everyone else. This is a sad testimony to how, over time, Christian practices have been severely diluted. In many cases, this watering down is to the point of not even being able to recognize true Christian principles. For someone who has just come to Christ, this can be a serious challenge. Are these new Christians being guided into the process of following Jesus’ footsteps, or to some other examples? What should any and every new Christian be focused on learning and growing towards?

As we have discovered from Part I and II of this series, God is the Mighty One who has power and authority. He is the Self-Existing One who created humanity in His image for the purpose of having a personal relationship with them. Planet Earth was and is to be the eternal habitation of this human family. As God revealed himself through man’s experiences, many aspects of His character became evident. He is the Supreme and Exalted Sovereign. He is sufficient and caring, and He continually provides. He is not only "Jehovah Elohim" of individuals, but He is "Jehovah of hosts." He sanctifies, shepherds and brings peace to those who follow Him. He is our rock, our fortress, and through His providence, He provides salvation. This is a mere sampling of the breadth of God’s character as revealed in the Old Testament.

So many people believe God is a man-made myth. They see Him as a figment of the imagination of religious zealots who desperately seek some kind of higher power. When you look at mythological gods or the gods of some religious factions, you can certainly see the reasoning for that point. However, when we look at the God of the Bible, it has to be an entirely different story. What other book, what other belief system, gives you such a detailed and specific approach to knowing who God is the way the Bible does? In Part I of our series, we focused on God’s introduction to the world of humanity in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. We then focused on how God revealed Himself to Abraham. As we begin this second part of our series, let’s recap how God has been revealed through creation and Abraham. This will set the stage for the next steps of seeing who God is.    

Whether we like it or not or believe it or not, the presence of powers higher than our human understanding cannot be denied. The debate begins and rages when we try to label these powers. Our human perspectives, belief systems and even how we claim to apply science all come into play here. As Christians, we by definition believe God is the ultimate source of power. We believe Him to be wise, just and loving in His expressions of that power. But how do we know this to be true? It is no surprise that the answer to knowing who God is exists in a very broad and orderly fashion in the Bible. Literally starting at the beginning will lay a foundation for us to not only begin to understand God, but to also begin to have a deep appreciation of who He really is.  

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his disciples in Matthew 28, “Go and make disciples of all the nations." He told them to baptize these disciples and teach them all that he had taught and commanded them to know and do. Ten days later, God’s spirit came upon the apostles, and this is where the Christian church had its beginning. Fast forward 2,000 years, and we find Christianity divided into countless denominations. We see an apparent decline in Christianity as church attendance seems to be steadily decreasing. So, is going to church a significant marker for being a true Christian? To have a real answer for this question, we need to establish a clear understanding of the scriptural relationship between church and its role in a true Christian’s life.

n our last episode, we talked about many big picture aspects of how the humbling and amazing privilege of prayer works. We learned that, as is usually the case with true Christian discipleship, there is much more to praying than talking to God about things and letting him know what we need and want. Today we will focus on the details of our prayer life. We will look at many of those simple questions about the practicality of prayer. Questions like, how do we fit prayer into busy lives? How do we pray when we are not feeling grateful for anything? How do we know if God is answering our prayers or if we are just making up answers? 

Prayer is an incalculably awesome privilege, and yet it is massively misunderstood. Prayer can easily become a ritual, an almost automatic activity like brushing our teeth. We know we need to do it because we know it’s really good for us. So, we do it at what we think are the appropriate times and in the appropriate ways. Prayer can also become a time of wishful thinking, a time when we essentially tell God how our lives could and should look. It can also become a complaining session, a finger pointing session and even a pity party. Wait, let’s take a breath! Prayer is the opportunity and privilege to talk to the God of all things through His son Jesus. If we are going to use this amazing tool, we want to be absolutely clear as to how it works and why it works!

It is a natural human response to want to be recognized for who we are and for what we contribute. This is easy to observe. Just look at a small child who does something to be helpful or obedient. When their parent recognizes and praises their behavior, their face beams with delight! While it is positive and nurturing to praise growth and maturity, we also need to be wary. As with anything else that provokes goodness in our sinful world, the simplicity of building another up can be misrepresented and funneled into the ever-growing competition for status among our peers. Now it’s no longer about building up, it is all about establishing our place in the pecking order and fighting our way to be higher up on that ladder. This is NOT a new phenomenon as the Bible has MUCH to say about avoiding it!

In our last episode, we spoke with our good friend and brother in Christ, Howie Clare, from New Zealand. We met him through our Christian Questions ministry several years ago. Howie’s life had forever changed when his wife of 12 years left him with no explanation. To try and help him cope with his profound sorrow and loss, his son suggested he listen to Christian podcasts, and that's how he found us. He not only became a listener, he also reached out to us via e-mail which led to our meeting him via Zoom and studying with him. All of this led to several other changes in his life as his hunger for and enlightenment through scriptural truth drove him to many unforeseen steps and life decisions.

Today we want to talk about freedom. Not freedom in the sense of being released from some form of physical captivity, and not freedom in the sense of being able to express yourself without fear. No, the freedom we want to focus on is bigger and deeper. It is the freedom we can be given when we are drawn to God through Christ and find our way to becoming a true disciple. True discipleship does have a high cost. The reason for that cost is to insure an eternity of freedom in Christ and a dwelling place with our heavenly Father.

Israel. Just say the name and likely if anyone listening follows anything about events on the world stage, they will have a strong opinion one way or another. This is fascinating because the nations of Togo and Honduras, while not well-recognized in world events, have about the same population as Israel. What is it about this tiny nation on this tiny sliver of land that draws such attention? Biblically, there are thousands of years of history and events that keep Israel in the forefront of world events. From a Christian perspective, we know God had cast them off as a result of rejecting Jesus as their Messiah. So, what’s the story with that consequence? Did Israel lose their standing with God on a permanent basis, or is there hope for their future? If there is hope, what does it look like?

We have all been wronged by someone. Sometimes the wrong is especially deep and hurtful, and we are debilitated by it. We have all also heard the saying “forgive and forget." The forgiving part sounds like a really magnanimous Christian thing to do. However, it can be deeply challenging, depending upon the hurt we have suffered. The “forgetting” part? Well, that can be overwhelmingly difficult - and in many cases may not even be possible. So, what is a Christian to do? How do we know who and when to forgive? Are the biblical “rules” for forgiving others always the same? What if I forgive and really mean it but then begin to feel like I want to change my mind?

If we make promises, we should keep them. This statement seems simple enough, and yet when we look around, how much confidence do we have in it? Do we see an unequivocal keeping of promises in our political leadership? Do we see it in the business world? The world of advertising or education? Do we even see it in our family and social interactions? In our last episode, we spoke extensively about the fact that God is absolutely a God of promise – what He says, He always does. We as Christians are bound to His promise-keeping standard of excellence as the model for our own words and actions. So, how do we go about raising the bar with our own commitments? What instructions can we find in God’s word that will focus us on keeping our word?

As Christians, our faith in God should translate into an unquestionable loyalty and trust. If God says something will be so, it is a guarantee it will happen. While this deep faith in the word of God should bring a powerful comfort to our lives, it's also capable of bringing us serious doubts and concerns. How can this be? If God is as good as His word (and He is), then where do the doubts come from? They arise when we do not understand or misapply His Word. They arise when we ourselves stand outside of the circle of God’s protective providence and seek to claim promises not meant for us. In other words, God’s promises to Christians are only meant for true disciples of Jesus. This may sound like an excuse to some, but it is in fact a basis for how God’s favor works in the lives of His true children.

Patience is one of the most understated yet powerful characteristics any human being can have. Most of us think of patience as simply waiting things out – it’s raining and we can’t start the game until it stops, so let’s be patient. While this is a true facet of patience, biblical patience goes much further . The Bible teaches us the kind of patience one needs when going through a hard and perhaps painful experience. This kind of patience adds a factor of endurance to the necessary waiting, as one needs to bear a burden or discomfort for a time. Interestingly, the New Testament adds yet another dimension to the kind of patience we as Christians are supposed to have. As we shall soon see, this kind of patience is all about self-restraint. The question is, am I personally and truly living a life of Christlike patience?

The Lord’s prayer in Matthew chapter 6 is perhaps the most commonly quoted teaching of Jesus. This prayer is simple and pointed in its focus. “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.” This beginning teaches us not only to acknowledge God as Father but to hallow, to reverence, His very name. The next phrase is also simple, perhaps too simple. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” Many take this as a two-part statement. First hoping for God’s kingdom and then hoping for God’s will to be done on earth. But is it actually two parts? Is this a petition of hope for two different things, or is it a petition for one glorious and often forgotten part of God’s plan, His kingdom on earth? The entire Bible shouts out a resounding answer to this question!

It seems like it would be a no brainer to say that following Christ and following Christianity today are synonymous. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Imperfect human beings have always been very adept at creating alternative interpretations and approaches to most everything. Christianity is no exception. In Part I of our 2-part series, we began looking at some specific teachings of Jesus. We began holding Christianity up to the light of Jesus’ words and asked how we were doing with this. We continue the process in Part II. Even though we are asking about Christianity, the resounding question that begs for an answer is this: Am I personally choosing to follow Christ and his original teaching, or am I personally settling for some form of watered-down Christianity instead?

When someone says they are a Christian, their claim can be easily interpreted in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, following the name of Christ has been a dramatically devalued description of religion over many centuries. Think back to the Dark Ages when the church mercilessly hunted, tortured and killed non-believers for the sake of “saving souls” in the name of Christ. Think about the smorgasbord of choices one now has available. We can choose a brand of Christianity that suits our lifestyle and fulfills our preferences. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ was not always this way. In the time of Jesus and the apostles, it meant something higher and had an eternal purpose. The question we all need to ask ourselves is simple. Is my chosen brand of Christianity in complete accord with Jesus’ original teachings?

As a Christian, taking the time to understand what we think about is a worthy and necessary investment of our time and effort. When you look at anyone who is truly successful at any endeavor, you will always find that one of the common denominators of their success is controlling their minds. In Part I of this two-part series, we spent considerable time piecing together the groundwork that the Apostle Paul laid out in Philippians 4 as a basis for productive Christian thinking. He understood the demands of Christianity and cared enough about his fellow disciples to teach us not only what he knew, but how to apply that knowledge. One major result of his spiritual wisdom was the letter he wrote to the Philippians.

Most of us don’t realize just much of our lives come down to our own personal choices. We have far more power over how we handle our everyday experiences than we give ourselves credit for. Why wouldn’t we claim this power so we can better influence our path? Because we subtly and regularly fall into habits of thinking that lull us into a lukewarm and compliant attitude of submission. The Apostle Paul was all about helping us, as his fellow disciples of Christ, challenge the status quo and reset our minds so we can daily think and choose with spiritual clarity. Much of the letter he wrote to the Philippian Christians focused in on the adverse conditions in life and how to think through them. Examining this letter is the first step to better focusing our thinking!

The thought that God is a God of anger - especially in the Old Testament - is alive and well. It’s a very convenient thought. All one has to do is select from the many passages in the Old Testament that show God commanding the destruction of this or that people. It’s easy to say He has anger issues and therefore should not be worshipped. The only problem is that this conclusion is in direct opposition to the truth. To grasp the correct thought, we need to begin by focusing on putting God’s anger into its proper context. This basic exercise opens up a perspective on God’s anger that redefines it. Simply stated, God’s anger is an occasionally used tool of His overwhelmingly just, loving, wise and powerful character. He is SO much bigger than He is given credit for.

We all know someone who has been in some kind of altercation that didn’t end well. When we go back and look at the events, we always want to know who started it. What we are looking for is who initially provoked the other party to cause the chain of events that led to someone on some level being hurt. The point is, provoking one another is not usually looked at as a good thing as we think of things like sibling rivalries or having someone “push your buttons.” However, with an appropriate approach, provoking others can be a powerful tool as it can stimulate them to positive action and conflict resolution. So, how do we do that? How do we provoke others towards everything good and avoid provoking them towards anything bad?

Christian faith is a big deal. The Bible tells us that faith is a gift from God. It tells us the just live by faith. It tells us that faith without works is dead, and that without faith, it is impossible to please God. It tells us that we can be of little faith needing more and then it tells us that if we have faith like the grain of a tiny mustard seed, we can move mountains. With all of these varied and important applications of faith it is surprising that defining faith and how it really works can be difficult tasks. Faith is far too often described as a feeling or a pathway to believing in something that has no substance. When it comes to biblically defined faith, nothing could be further from the truth!

In all of recorded history since Adam, there has never been a time when humanity did not know pain, sorrow, trauma and death. Never. These things are so ingrained into the fabric of our lives that the very idea of not knowing pain and suffering is a pipe dream. And death? It’s a given. Everybody has death touch those around them, as we all eventually will be swallowed up by it. If we try and have someone imagine a world without these things, the thought is often met with the classic response, “That would be great, but it sounds too good to be true!” Why do we bring up this hope that sounds like a fairy tale happy ending? We bring it up because the Bible explains it through many prophecies. We bring it up because we believe it is the true conclusion of the stated plan of God.

“It is finished.” When Jesus said these three words, he signaled an ending. He proclaimed to those who were gazing upon his beaten and crucified body that he had completed a specific set of tasks successfully. He had done what he had set out to do. Looking back on this event, some may wonder, what did he really accomplish? If we are living God’s plan, it sure seems disjointed, broken and worthless. But all they can see are the tragedies of human choices and experiences. As we look more deeply into the final moments of Jesus’ earthly life, we will see how they were a catalyst to change the downward sin and death-ridden course that Satan had begun so long before. We will see that Jesus proclaiming, “It is finished” was also a victorious proclamation of what was to begin!

The last week of Jesus’ earthly life was both eventful and tumultuous. His riding triumphantly into Jerusalem four days before his crucifixion was a dramatic and unmistakable display of hope and respect by the hundreds of thousands who honored him as he rode. The events that would take place after his kingly entrance into the city would also be dramatic, as the wheels of betrayal and murder would furiously spin towards their grisly end. Through all of this, Jesus never faltered in his character or objectives. Today we will focus on the powerful messages and prophetic fulfillments that came from his inspiring ride into Jerusalem, as its meaning is far deeper than many realize. The Old Testament is full of prophecies, stories and individuals that point to Jesus. When considered, they give us a panoramic picture of what many of the details of his life would look like. Not the least of these revealed details is the prophecy in Zechariah chapter 9. This prophecy plainly revealed that the Messiah would come to Jerusalem and the people of Israel riding on a donkey and being proclaimed as their king. The prophecy shows the expansiveness of Messiah’s future kingdom, and sadly also alludes to the people rejecting their Savior. Jesus literally fulfilled this prophecy. He literally borrowed a donkey and rode into the city. Now, one could argue he staged the event. After all, he did have to borrow the donkey! While that detail is true, we need to remember that it was impossible for him to stage the hundreds of thousands who welcomed him, lauded him as king and sought for deliverance through him as their Messiah. He could not have staged such love and adoration. Why was this particular event so public and so important? Why did Jesus know it had to happen? It turns out that this prophecy is unquestionably linked to some other Old Testament events that also foreshadowed Jesus and his earthly mission to save the world. It also turns out that this prophecy had to be fulfilled at a precise time because of its connection to these other Old Testament events. One of the amazing parts to this whole puzzle of God’s foresight and providence is the fact that Jesus knew so many of the details and fulfillments ahead of time. Check out our recent podcast, “Why Did Jesus Ride Into Jerusalem?” for the details. We go over the details of this event commonly known as “Palm Sunday” and their larger meaning. What we find are amazing connections to many other scriptures that profoundly deepen the meaning of God’s plan behind Jesus’ sacrifice. There is one other thing we discuss that we will simply state as a question here. What if the traditional view and appreciation of Palm Sunday was flawed? What if the Bible plainly stated that some important details of this event were absolutely different than the tradition we so easily accept? Join us for this fascinating and inspiring journey into Bible prophecy and its fulfillment!  

It is a given that life is stressful. We all know that the sheer quantity of input that we are each exposed to from the various parts of our lives is overwhelming. Now come the decisions. Do I watch, do I listen, do I click, do I respond, do I message, do I like? Now comes what is supposed to be the main part of our day, our work, or schooling or caregiving and attempting to do a good job. Next comes our down time, which for many is laughable. It is now in our downtime that we watch, listen, click, respond, message and like, so downtime easily becomes stress time. As Christians, we are supposed to have God’s peace covering our lives. I say "supposed to" because many of us have a really hard time finding that peace in the midst of our daily chaos. Where are we going wrong, and how do we correct it?  

It’s not too often that those who are young adults rise up to be the heroes of the day. Usually they are in the "figuring life out" stage, but occasionally there comes a young adult who is living far beyond that perplexity. David, who would become known as "a man after God’s own heart," was such a young man. This designation would be made apparent when he visited the battlefront to bring food to his brothers and ended up defeating Goliath. Now, the story of his battle with Goliath is well-known, but the events leading up to that battle? Well, they deserve our attention. Focusing on what David already believed and thought - and what he said and did as a result - will reveal Five Points to a Stronger Christian Life for us. Why not learn how to be more focused on God’s will from a man after God’s own heart? Literally, a big problem The armies of Israel stood ready to fight the armies of the Philistines, but they had a really big problem. His name was Goliath. He was a menacing presence, a literal giant of a man standing about nine feet tall. Every day he would stand in the valley between the two armies and put out a challenge for Israel to send their best warrior to fight him to the death. It was a winner-take-all proposition. Goliath’s brash challenge was repeated day after day for 40 days. King Saul and his men stood paralyzed! How could anyone expect to be victorious over such an overwhelmingly imposing figure? Food delivery! David, the teenage shepherd from Bethlehem, shows up to deliver food to his three brothers and cheese to their commander. He hears the brash challenge from Goliath, immediately questions what is happening and volunteers to fight the giant. David goes before King Saul, rejects the king's offer to use his own royal armor and boldly goes down into the valley to meet Goliath for this epic battle. Wait a minute! Why would any king ever agree to sending a teenage shepherd boy with zero military training or experience to fight a seasoned warrior in a winner-take-all battle? The answer here is deep and compelling. The bottom line wasn’t about sending a boy to do the job of an experienced and powerful man. Instead, it was all about sending the right person to meet and defeat an enormous challenge. David was that right person. Check out our March 20, 2013 podcast, “What Can David, a Battlefront and Cheese Teach Us?” for more. We dive into why David was the right person for this overwhelming task. We look at who he had been during his short life before this challenge presented itself. We breakdown what drove him, why it drove him and how he was able to keep fear from burying him. These lessons ring loudly in our ears. Join us for this inspiring conversation with our special guest Matt Kerry, as we learn from and apply the power of David’s character to our daily lives.

King Solomon ruled over a united kingdom of the 12 tribes of Israel. While the king celebrated the breathtaking splendor of Israel’s civil engineering feats and the exquisite opulence of his palaces and buildings, the people were being suffocated under unreasonably high taxes and forced labor. Tribal jealousies were prevalent between the northern and southern regions, especially between Ephraim in the north and Judah in the south. These conditions, along with Solomon’s impending death, set the table for a never-before-seen fracturing of national unity. But there was hope! In Part I of this 2-part series, we laid the groundwork for what would happen. Simply stated, it all came down to being given extraordinary opportunity and privilege by God and the decisions that followed these gifts. Solomon's son, Rehoboam Rehoboam was King Solomon’s son and inherited the throne of Israel when Solomon died. Becoming the king of God’s chosen people was an enormous privilege. Rehoboam had the choice to do things God’s way or to follow in his father’s later footsteps and leave God behind and do them his own way. Israel was in rough shape. Solomon's servant, Jeroboam The overworked and overtaxed people rallied behind one of Solomon’s valiant warriors named Jeroboam. This warrior had been told by a prophet that God would bless him and give him kingship IF ONLY he would obey God’s laws. Here we have two men from two regions of Israel given the opportunity of a lifetime. Both had choices as to how they would handle that opportunity. Both had full knowledge of God’s influence over and protection of Israel. Both also knew of the current sorry state of the nation as it wallowed in idolatry and disunity. As we look from the outside in at the choices these two men faced, it is so easy to see what we would consider as the obvious course of action. Follow God! He has worked miracles of deliverance and victory in the past! Do things God’s way! Let Him bless you AND the people! Sadly, neither of these men ultimately chose that path. Israel would be split into two kingdoms and have two kings. Jeroboam would rule over the ten tribes to the north, and they would be called "Israel." He would leave a legacy of idolatry so blatant that his bloodline would end in disgrace. Rehoboam would rule over the two tribes to the south and they would be called "Judah." His legacy was only slightly better. How could both kings be so foolish? Check out our March 13, 2023 podcast, “Am I Throwing Away My Life’s Greatest Privilege? (Part II)” for answers. As we examine their failed choices, we do so with a mirror of self-assessment in hand. Think about this: if we claim to be true followers of Jesus, then we are claiming the highest privilege humanity has EVER been offered! How are WE handling OUR privilege? Are we really following Jesus or just doing it our way like these two kings? Don’t miss this enlightening journey as ancient history reveals our potential present day pitfalls!

When God miraculously rescued His people from Egyptian slavery and established Israel as a nation, He put a system of rulership through judges in place that did not include having a king. We all know what happened. The people complained to the prophet Samuel because they wanted a king like everybody else. Even though they were warned of the dire consequences that a monarch would bring, they stood fast in their desire, so God let them have their way. Saul was Israel’s first king, and we all know how that ended. David was their second king, and his life and reign ended with turmoil. Solomon was their third king. His reign began in wisdom and faithfulness and ended in the grip of idolatry. From that time on, Israel’s unity fractured, and they would never have a king to rule over their entire nation again. What happened? Israel and its rulers would teach us how easy it is to throw away great privilege! Peace and prosperity come at a price At the end of King Solomon’s reign, Israel was in a socially weakened state. The people were seriously suffering under the high taxes and conscripted labor that built Solomon’s empire. Israel had also become very idolatrous as Solomon’s godly wisdom gave way to the heathen beliefs of his hundreds of wives. Solomon would leave this unhealthy and ununified nation to Rehoboam, a son of one of those wives. Before Solomon’s death, another man named Jeroboam had been told by God through a prophet that he would have the opportunity to rule Israel. The prophet said he would be blessed of God if he diligently followed God’s law and instructions. Now, Jeroboam was a valiant and trusted warrior under King Solomon and must have been quite surprised by this prophetic message. Solomon dies and his son Rehoboam becomes king Things begin to happen! Many of Israel’s mistreated people approached their new king through the valiant warrior Jeroboam to ask for reasonable treatment. With their request, they promised their loyalty. With this opportunity for godly righteousness right before him, the king responds by seeking to think on it for three days. Now the stage is set. On one hand we have this new King Rehoboam who has a golden opportunity to right a sinking ship. On the other hand, we have Jeroboam who was promised extraordinary blessings from God if he would lead according to God’s principles. Who would step up and follow the incredible privilege that God put before them? Check out our March 6, 2023 podcast, “Am I Throwing Away My Life’s Greatest Privileges? (Part I)” for more. We walk through these two unique stories of opportunity and observe human reactions to God’s will. There is so much that this account can teach us! The fact is, we also have grand and godly opportunities before us every day. Learning how the responses of these two significant men in Israel’s history can show us the do’s and the don’ts of handling our own life privileges. Join us for these powerful lessons!

Human relationships are a key factor in human survival and well-being. We need them, and God has designed humanity in such a way as to thrive when healthy relationships are present. In Part I and Part II of this three-part series, we drilled down into marriage relationships, as well as family and close friend relationships. We found striking similarities in the “how to” of making these relationships stronger. Much of our input came from 1 Corinthians 13, the "love chapter." In our final episode of this series, we now look at our relationships within our Christian fellowship. Though the principles remain the same, what we will find here are some significant differences and challenges unique to our calling to Christ. You may have heard the saying, “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your relatives.” The implication is that relationships with relatives will have more inherent challenges due to this unchosen connection. Now think about our relationships with fellow Christians. These connections are based not on our personal preferences or family blood lines. They are based on the blood of Christ only. This means that those whom we would have chosen to avoid or those who were even former enemies are now in the category of being closer than a brother. A necessary connection with our opposites If we claim to be true disciples of Jesus, this close connection with those who may be our opposites is a requirement. It can be an invitation for disaster if we attempt to develop it just based upon our human thoughts and feelings. Just ask those who were the earliest Christians, especially after Gentiles were called to Christ along with Jews. Before the call to all nations to follow Jesus, Jewish culture avoided Gentile influence. Now as disciples, both groups were instructed to leave their past thinking, habits and traditions behind and adopt a unified approach as a brotherhood. Jesus told us to “Love one another as I have loved you.” How do we do that? How do we make these brotherhood relationships work on such a high level? The answers are abundantly clear in Scripture if we choose to search them out. The first 2 parts of this series laid important groundwork, as they focused on the scriptural principles of selfless love and respect. Putting these principles into practice in all of our close relationships is the necessary staring point. Check out our February 27, 2023 podcast, “How Strong Are My Relationships? (Part III) for more. Using the scriptural basis of 1 Corinthians 13, we delve into the practicality of how to enhance our Christian fellowship. Interestingly, our love for one another needs to be based upon both selfless love and brotherly love. It needs to be profoundly respectful, coming from as pure a heart as we can possibly have. Jesus showed us how to do this, and the Apostle Paul explained it in great detail. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to be better connected to the body of Christ!  

In Part I, we opened the door to talking about strong and healthy relationships by focusing on marriage. We looked at what it is built upon, what makes it work, what hinders it and how to stay with it when challenges arise. We discovered a powerful scriptural pattern for success that can be traced to the simple descriptions of what selfless love is and is not in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Our next set of relationships will focus on our families and closest friends. In many ways, these relationships are similar to the marriage relationship and what it stands for and therefore can be nurtured and healed with the same scriptural principles. God’s design in all of this is truly magnificent! Greek to English There is such a difference between the English and Greek languages. In English, we talk about loving our family, loving our friends and loving selflessly by using the same word, "love." In Greek, these different types of love are expressed with specific and precise words. Greek defines love of family and friends with specific words that are all based on a fraternal relationship. The Greek word for "selfless love" is entirely different and expresses a love and caring that gives without a need to receive. Understanding these differences in the meaning of love helps us to see the depth of the Bible’s instruction regarding our relationships. Family and close friend relationships are easy targets for frustrations and issues. Because we have such a close natural or chosen connection with these individuals, we are easily liable to fall into misunderstanding and disagreement. Fortunately, the Bible gives us several ways to approach these challenges. One basic piece of scriptural guidance is to simply listen to Jesus. This can come across as almost too basic because we are always supposed to listen to Jesus, so let’s get specific. In Matthew 7, Jesus talked about judging others. His guidance was unmistakable as he stated it in an exaggerated example. To paraphrase, he instructed us to remove the log out of our own eye before we try and remove the speck of sawdust out of someone else’s eye. This is a simple lesson that teaches us to right our own attitude and perspective before approaching those things in someone we care about. Being willing to do this shows that we truly care for and respect those in our lives who may be having issues. This is just one of many practical ways the Bible helps us to feed and nurture our family and close friend relationships. Check out our February 20, 2023 podcast, “How Strong Are My Relationships? (Part II)” Further steps and guidance include a deeper grasp of the listening process and what to do after we listen. We also delve into the profound realization of how to connect brotherly and family love with the selfless love that Jesus taught us. Learning to put these things together is learning to have stronger family and friend relationships. What are we waiting for?  

This may sound odd, but for a moment think about your personal relationships like a car. You depend on your car though you generally don’t think much about it. When you get in it you are ready to go, and if it doesn’t start or it breaks down, it creates issues. A lack of attention and maintenance will inevitably bring trouble. Proper maintenance is key to keep it running smoothly and to keeping you happy. Well, our personal relationships are immeasurably more important than our car, so we need to keep them in good working order as well. Because there are so many kinds of personal relationships, let’s start by looking at marriage. What are some basic principles to keep our Christian marriage going and growing? When we think about what a healthy marriage looks like, most of us think about being happy. We think about quality time, doing things for one another, encouraging each other, giving to each other and intimacy. Images of things like walking together along a deserted beach or being surprised with a gift or gesture, or going on an adventure or a having quiet dinner for two give us a sense of a powerful marriage connection. All of these things are awesome, and we’d all love to be there! But how do we do it? How do we build our marriages up to this kind of sharing and security? Let’s face it, life is incredibly complicated and busy. Even thinking about all of these sharing experiences can be stressful - nevermind actually doing them. The unfortunate equation many of us find even our Christian marriage trapped by looks something like this: Work stress plus responsibility, multiplied by financial challenges, plus social media, multiplied by digital entertainment equals no time and little desire left to intentionally strengthen our marriages! What we would love to have is seemingly inaccessible as we face the tangle and drain of simply living everyday life. There is a better way. The starting point to untangle the confusing mess of life’s expectations begins with doing one thing and understanding two principles. The one thing is to self-assess. Decide that the responsibility for making your marriage better lands squarely on your shoulders. Now, you might respond that marriage is by definition give and take, contributions from both sides! You could not be more correct! However, the process of positive change always begins with taking personal responsibility to take the first small steps, regardless of what anybody else does. Simple...but not easy. Check out our February 13, 2023 podcast, “How Strong Are My Relationships? (Part I) for more. We expand on this self-assessing process by homing in on what to focus on, which brings us to our two principles: LOVE and RESPECT. The key here is understanding that the kind of love we are talking about is the kind Jesus showed us. It is a love that graciously, selflessly gives. And respect, well, that’s much bigger than we might think as well. These are just our starting points. Join us for the rest of the story!

We all would agree that truth is important. Legally we know it is critical. When pressed to speak the truth under oath in the United States, you are asked, “Do you solemnly swear/affirm that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God/under pains and penalties of perjury? As important as this sounds, we human beings are often lazy about truth and even afraid of it. Winston Churchill once said, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” So, what is truth? Are there absolute truths? How can we know which ones are reliable and which ones are merely situational? As they sought to unjustly put Jesus to death, the Pharisees brought him before Pilate and presented their case. When Pilate saw no merit in their accusations, he questioned Jesus without them. After some conversation, Jesus told Pilate that he came to proclaim the truth and those who heed his voice are of the truth. Pilate had a dilemma. Those who accused Jesus were supposed to be truthful religious leaders, and yet Jesus was innocent. How could their story be so far off from what Jesus said? It was here that he uttered his famous question, “What is truth?” To many, truth is subjective. We live in a time where information and opinions are overwhelmingly accessible. At every turn, we are encouraged to create and adopt our own personal truths. These conditions result in endless debates and demands regarding the acceptance of our truths. In such a state, truth becomes what we decide it should be. Sadly, we are confused and misled with these conclusions. Why? We have confused “truth” with personal observations, opinions and values. Have you heard the one about the elephant? The famous story of a group of blind men seeking to describe an elephant by their touch observations reminds us of this. In one version of the story, the first man thought the elephant was like a snake as he held onto its trunk. The second described it to be like a rope as he held its slender tail. The third man described the elephant to be like a pillar or tree trunk as he put his arms around one of its massive legs. All of these men were right. All of them spoke the truth, and yet none of them could fully describe the elephant, as they were limited by their own perspective. Checkout our February 6, 2023 podcast, “What is Truth?” for more. We challenge the adoption and acceptance of personal truths as unquestionable truth. We examine what absolute truth is and how it, by definition, must be above and beyond our human framework. The conclusions are inspiring as we see how God and His word can lead us to absolute truth. Truth is always true, even if we choose not to believe it. Join us on our journey towards the freedom that comes from knowing and embracing genuine, unchangeable truth!

There are some questions that are just plain difficult. One of those questions that many believers in God may wrestle with has to do with God seemingly allowing Satan to run the show. Let’s face it, evil stinks and we just want it to go away. Yet, God has continued to let Satan's influence dominate our world for thousands of years! Most Christians believe God is absolutely capable of destroying Satan but begins to fall short when asked why it has not yet happened. Answers touch on God creating all of His spiritual and earthly intelligent beings with free choice, and this is a great start. The key factor in all of this is seeing HOW God gives each being a free choice and the ability to have fair and just choices. Unbelievers incapable of seeing the gospel In 2 Corinthians chapter 4 the Apostle Paul is talking about unbelievers. He describes them as incapable of seeing the gospel. Why are they incapable? In verse 4 he says they have been blinded by Satan, the "god of this world." He is not saying they blinded themselves, or purposefully ignored the gospel. He is clear that they can’t see it because Satan has made it so. When Jesus spoke the Parable of the Sower and the Seed, he made a similar claim. He interpreted the birds eating the seed by the roadside as Satan taking the gospel message before it could be appreciated. Is Satan in control? Seeing both Jesus and the Apostle Paul making such plain statements about Satan’s ability to control the gospel’s reach can raise questions. Who is really in charge here? Why hasn’t God stopped - or at least diminished - Satan’s reach, especially regarding the gospel? The answers are simple. God IS in charge. Period. He hasn’t thwarted Satan’s influence because it is not yet time for that part of His Plan. While these are simple answers, they certainly need detailed reasoning and scriptural support to reveal their logic and harmony. Let’s begin to open the door to those important details. Consider that God’s continued allowance for Satan to keep on living is an integral part of His Plan to benefit ALL of His created beings. Satan’s rebellion actually serves God’s plan in two ways:  Satan’s continued existence and influence serve as an undeniable and unavoidable example of what rebellion against God’s righteousness unfolds. Satan’s continued existence and influence serve as the basis for testing each and every one of God’s created beings. Every intelligent created being will ultimately choose to stay loyal to God’s righteousness OR ultimately choose to follow the darkness of Satan. Check out our January 30, 2023 podcast, “Why Doesn’t God Just Destroy Satan?” for more. We provide strong scriptural reasoning to support these two reasons for Satan’s continued existence. We do this by tracing how Satan initially got the power he now abuses. Next, we trace how this power grab exactly fits into God’s eternal purposes and what its end result will be. Join us for an eye-opening journey that helps us see the wisdom, power and love of God!    

Everybody sins. We can’t help it because we are imperfect, and therefore we will inevitably fall. As Christians, we can and should claim the amazing advocacy of Jesus, ask forgiveness, make right what we did wrong and move on. But are there sins that go beyond what Jesus can help us with? Are there "unforgivable" sins? Are there sins that once committed doom us to eternal death? The Scriptures do say such sins exist. The good news is the Bible is specific about what they are and how they work. The difficult news is that some verses are hard to understand, and that can lead to confusion. So, what are sins that go beyond forgiveness, and how can we stay far away from them? What if I accidentally commit this type of sin? First and foremost, we need to understand that according to the Bible, no one can commit a sin that dooms them to eternal death by accident. Many seem to walk through their lives with this fear hanging over their heads. What if I said this or did that without realizing it? Or, what if I did something as a joke or out of immaturity or a whim in the past – does that doom me to future eternal death? The answer here is no. Sins with no resurrection are not accidental. Remember, God is just and not vengeful. He is wise and not emotionally driven. He is powerful, not reactionary, and He is love but not weak. However, this is not to say that being foolish about or disrespectful to God and His eternal power is ever advisable. It never is, as we all bear responsibility for our thoughts, words and deeds. The primary principle that needs establishing in this whole discussion has to do with “who.” Who is liable to committing a sin that leads to eternal death? The Bible unequivocally speaks about a resurrection for all of humanity that brings them an opportunity for reconciliation. This one fact tells us that all of humanity therefore does not have such liability here in this present age. If they did, they obviously would not be raised out of death. Not all Christians are in this category The liability to a death with no resurrection falls upon Christians, but NOT on all Christians. Once again, you look at this and think, what? The explanation for this is clearly laid out in Scripture and really is a must see. Check out our January 23, 2023 podcast, “What Sins Can Never Be Forgiven?” for more. We systematically go through the three sets of scriptures that always seem to come up when talking about sins with no resurrection. What we find is a deep subject that has been muddied in its understanding and application over time. Phrases like “speaking against the holy spirit being unforgivable,” “the second death,” “for whom black darkness has been reserved forever” are all put in order. Join us as we attempt to separate out all of the mystery and leave just the plain statements of biblical truth to learn from. You don’t want to miss this!  

The Bible is full of examples of God’s love, justice, wisdom, power and plan. It is a fountain of mercy and foresight, and a treasure trove of prophecy. Understanding the magnitude of all these things helps us see God as the Sovereign Creator and Father that He really is. But wait, there’s more! Running through ALL of the descriptions we just mentioned is another facet of God’s character - His grace. The word for "grace" in the Bible has many shades of meaning. When we understand how this word is applied to God in both the Old and New Testaments, we are given a profound glimpse into the depth and breadth of His character. God’s grace is and always has been a game changer. Let’s see how! A gift God’s grace is often and accurately described as His unmerited favor. On a mere human level, this concept can be exciting and fulfilling. Suppose you know someone who has a favorite sports team. You decide one day that you will buy them two tickets to an important game their team will play in. You buy the tickets not because you are returning some favor, but simply because you want to give them something that was previously out of their reach. Finally, you give them the tickets and they are stunned in their joy and surprise. This is a tiny example compared to the magnitude of God’s grace. His grace is expressed in many ways at many times under many circumstances. Think of the gift of Jesus. The Bible says God gave us this gift as an expression of His grace. This means that we are ransomed from death because God wanted to give humanity the unmerited gift of an opportunity for eternal life. This gift changes everything about the futures of every human being who has ever lived. It’s a pretty big gift! So, is our reaction to it as joyful as receiving tickets to a big game? What if they are just paper? How would you feel if your friend you gave those tickets to never went to the game and instead just stared at the tickets and loved the fact that they had them? Your reaction would be that they missed the point of the gift. You wanted them to be at the actual game and not just appreciate the fact that they could go. It is the same with God’s grace, only on a massively larger level. He doesn’t want us to simply appreciate the opportunity for life; He wants us to live in that opportunity, to change and grow as a result of its presence in our lives. God’s grace always seeks an active response! Check out our January 16, 2023 podcast, “What Does God’s Grace Do for Us?” for more. We reveal the countless ways His grace is described, give examples of how it works and lay out what it does for us. God’s grace is bigger and more powerful than we think. Do yourself a favor and join us for an awe-inspiring look at the grace that changes the world!  

We all know people who are visionaries, you know, the kind of people who change the world around them. They see things others don’t. They imagine possibilities others can’t. This often results in them taking risks in ways others won’t. While we appreciate these trendsetters, most of us are not that kind of visionary. However, we can and should be visionaries for our own lives. So, where do we find the inspiration and guidance for our life’s vision? As Christians, the obvious answer is to look to the Bible. The only problem with this is, we often see the Scriptures through the eyes of our own limitations. Today, let’s look more closely to see if we can find a biblically motivated vision for our lives that we can really invest ourselves into. The prophet Habakkuk had a problem. His vision of the world around him focused on the ever-increasing power of the surrounding heathen nations. He was struck with a fear of Israel being overrun by them. He brought his fearful vision before God in a very forceful and straightforward manner. God answered his fears in a straightforward manner as well. He told Habakkuk that his fears would be realized but that also, God’s will and way would win in the end. God told him that his job as a prophet was to be a watcher. Habakkuk was to write down the message so others could understand how God would eventually prevail. His job was to relay God’s vision of the future to the people. Habakkuk's problems are our problems We often have the same kind of problems as Habakkuk had. We too can be easily overwhelmed by our immediate circumstances and future. We too can feel lost when it comes to how to cope with the big unknowns of life. Like Habakkuk, we too can find peace and direction with all of this, but only if we do what Habakkuk did. Habakkuk found a powerful and compelling vision for his life. Finding this vision required him to abandon his old ways of thinking and adopt an entirely new perspective. That perspective was only available to him when he thoroughly committed himself to acting not in fear but in faith. How can we adopt the same kind of powerful and motivating vision for our lives? Check out our January 9, 2023 podcast, “Does My Life Have a Motivating Vision?” for answers. Five specific steps It turns out that there were five specific steps Habakkuk followed to change his vision. The first of these steps was to put his fears and questions before God. He requested answers. He not only requested, he also put himself in a position to hear and accept anything that God would reveal. We’re not prophets like Habakkuk, so we won’t literally hear God’s voice. We can, however, see God’s will through a Bible-based approach to our experiences. Join us as we uncover the steps Habakkuk laid out and learn how to find and follow our own life-motivating vision!

The rapture is a controversial teaching with its basis on one short set of verses in 1st Thessalonians. It is a teaching that has a wide spectrum of interpretations and applications. This teaching tightly unites those who believe in it, but more and more it terrifies many who have some association with it. In Parts I and II of our 3-part series, we began systematically walking through the scriptures in question. As we have attempted to clearly define each element of these scriptures, we have seen many of the contradictions and inconsistencies with this rapture teaching rise to the surface. In Part III, we closely examine what it means to be "caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Our only objective is to adhere to what the Bible really teaches and walk away from anything else. The main scriptures used to teach a rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NASB) reads: For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. The rapture teaching interprets these verses in a very dramatic way. As soon as Jesus returns with an audible cry and the blast of a trumpet, he miraculously and immediately raises all faithful Christians who had died over the last 2,000 years. In the next moment, he snatches up to heaven those Christians who are still living on the earth. What is left behind is chaos, fear and destruction. Quick recap While this rapture teaching uses Scripture as its basis, its conclusions could not be further from the true meaning of those texts. In Parts I and II of our series, we explained the scriptural basis for and the method of Jesus’ return. We discussed how his return begins in a stealth-like manner - as a "thief in the night.” Then we defined the spiritual nature of the "shout" and "trumpet." We talked about what the "dead in Christ" rising first means. We defined what we know and don’t know about their resurrection. All of these carefully considered details firmly disprove the rapture teaching. Check out our January 2, 2023 podcast, “Do I Suffer from Rapture Anxiety? Part III” for more. We focus in on what it really means to those Christians living on earth at Jesus’ return “to be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Our conclusions are based on the immediate and larger context of these verses, the meanings of the words, and the harmony of the rest of the Bible. The result is a teaching that brings hope and joy, not only to all faithful Christians, but to every other human being as well. Please join us for this in-depth, 3-part study of God’s Word. It may change your life!  

Christmas is such a great time of year! It gives people something to look forward to, something to be excited about. Decorations spring up and brighten our environment. We love giving gifts and we certainly love receiving them. Most of us get some extra time off to be with family or to just be able to do things. Sadly, the foundational reason behind this great time of year has become less and less relevant. All of this giving and good will stems from recognizing and honoring the birth of the most influential and heroic human being in all of world history. With the birth of Jesus, the world began to change. For most people that change has been imperceptible for the last 2,000 years, but it is happening. How do we know? An angel told us! Did you hear what he said? 400 years of silence God often communicated with ancient Israel by sending prophets and angels to deliver His messages. Before the time leading up to Jesus’ birth, there was a 400-year prophetic and angelic silence from God. When angelic messages began to be delivered after this 400-year silence, it meant that something of great importance was happening. That something was the birth of Jesus, and it was a sacred and important event in God’s eyes. When angels speak, those being spoken to should listen with care. Zacharias was literally left speechless To have one angelic message delivered regarding a specific series of events would be dramatic, especially after centuries of God’s silence. It could easily have left the recipient speechless, and as a matter of fact, that is exactly what happened. Zacharias, the man who would be John the Baptist’s father, was struck speechless when he was visited by an angel and doubted the angel’s message. Zacharias learned much from this, and his experience made him stronger in faith and devotion. The point is, after his initial doubts, he listened to the angel and acted on what he had heard. To have two angelic messages delivered would be awe inspiring. Mary would be the next recipient of an angelic message. She also listened to the angel, even though her responsibilities from that message would fundamentally change every aspect of her life. One common thread from both of these angelic messages was their connection to ancient biblical prophecies. By listening to the angel’s messages, both Zacharias and Mary were also listening to Bible prophecy. But this is just the beginning. In all, there were seven messages from God to those who were involved before and after Jesus’ birth. Check out our December 26, 2022 podcast, “Am I Listening to the Angel?” for more. We outline these seven messages and look at their connection to prophecy and God’s plan. What we find is a profoundly revealing pattern. Those angelic messages were not merely meant for those specific individuals to whom they were given. They were and are ageless messages for all of us. The question is, are we listening to the angels?

God’s plan for humanity is powerful, positive and proactive and is built upon the ransom price Jesus paid for every man, woman and child who ever lived. This plan is one of great joy! All scriptural events and prophecies point to the unfolding of this plan. As we observed in Part I of this series, the widely held Christian teaching of the rapture, in all of its varied interpretations, does not seem to fall in line with this plan. Instead of hope, it seems to bring distress and chaos. In Part I, we began systematically looking at the key elements of the scriptures from which this teaching is drawn. Our objective is to look at these texts in the context of the Bible itself and not the context of our opinions or our church's doctrine. Here in part II, we continue to unfold what we believe God’s word actually teaches. Care needs to be taken when reading the verses in 1 Thessalonians 4 that are used as the basis for the rapture teaching. In Part I of our three-part series, we examined much of verse 16, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God.” We found that the shout and the voice of the archangel were spiritual activities, things that could not be perceived by human ears. The shout is the command for all those who died in Christ to rise to heaven. The voice of the archangel is the command of God through Jesus for the reestablishment of Israel to begin, as described in Daniel 12:1. Is the trumpet of God a literal trumpet? Because the shout and voice of the archangel are not audible to humanity, we believe that this trumpet fits the same description. It also is a spiritual sounding, but of what? 1 Thessalonians tells us that the shout, the voice and the trumpet all happen at the beginning stages of the return of Jesus. Acts 3:21 tells us that Jesus does not return until the time of final restoration of all things, so we see this as a trumpet signaling restoration. Why? In Old Testament Israel, God had arranged for a trumpet to be blown every 50 years to signal a year of jubilee. What did that mean? It meant that all things were to be restored to the way God had designed them. Jesus returns with the trumpet of final restoration! Check out our December 19, 2022 podcast, “Do I Suffer From Rapture Anxiety? (Part II)" for more. We elaborate on the magnitude and meaning of this trumpet and what the dead in Christ rising first entails. We then go into the big questions of timing. Do all Christians who are alive at this time instantaneously rise up to heaven when this happens as the rapture teaches? The true answer to this question does not come from Christian tradition; rather, it comes from careful study of Scripture. Join us as we unfold the inspiring truths that the Word of God reveals!  

Christianity is divided into many denominations and groups. These divisions create a wide variety of teachings that elicit a wide variety of reactions. Take the rapture as an example. In its basic form, it interprets the Scriptures to say that Jesus returns with a shout and a trumpet. He raises the dead Christians to him first and then all those faithful who are still living will be dramatically and immediately taken up to him as well. For both Christians and non-Christians, the drama of this view brings eye rolls and disdain from some, excitement and anticipation from some, and all-out fear, trauma and "rapture anxiety" from others. The rapture is a big teaching based upon a few scriptures. The big question is, does this teaching fit squarely with the original Christian doctrine we learn from the Bible?

The fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5 are much more than a recounting of nice things to develop as Christians. They are fundamental building blocks upon which any productive Christian life must be built. Whenever we refer to any of these nine characteristics, let’s remember there are two ways we can view them. Take love, for example, the first fruit of the spirit. Many people can exhibit selfless love in their lives, even if they’re not Christians. However, the “fruit of the spirit" love is based on God’s own example through Jesus, and therefore has a higher foundational meaning. The key to understanding all of these fruits is to see that they reflect God’s ways and not the best of our ways. In Part V of our series, we complete our discussion of this fruit and absorb their amazing impact. In Parts I and II of this five-part series, we extensively covered the 15 sinful deeds of the flesh we humans must fight against. We saw how the Apostle Paul grouped these into specific categories of human behavior. We then moved on to Paul’s listing of the nine powerful and healing fruit of the spirit. Parts III and IV covered love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and goodness. We learned to go beneath the surface to see how the fruit of God’s influence in our lives each contribute to our transformation. Next on the list are faithfulness, gentleness and self-control As with the previous fruit, there is a depth here that needs to be explored and understood. Let’s take faithfulness as an example. Sometimes we as Christians view faithfulness as simply doing the things we know God wants us to do. We go to church to learn about the Bible, and we treat others decently. However, the faithfulness the Apostle Paul is teaching us about here is far deeper than that. The model we are given of faithfulness is not that of each other or even the Apostle Paul. Because it is a fruit, an outgrowth of God’s spirit, this faithfulness is modeled after God himself. There are several Bible verses that tell us God is faithful. But what does that mean? It means that God is loyal to His word and His promises. If He says He will help us in our darkest trials, then that help is guaranteed to arrive. All we need to do is claim it and apply it. Does my faithfulness portray such clarity and action? Check out our December 5, 2022 podcast, “Do I Walk in the Spirit or the Lusts of My Human Nature? (Part V)” for more. We define how our faithfulness should be a driving force in our lives and then go on to examine gentleness and self-control. As you might expect by now, gentleness is MUCH more profound than being nice, and self-control is the grand conclusion of everything! Join us as we conclude this revealing journey into what the fruit of God’s spirit can bring into our daily lives!

When the Apostle Paul listed the "fruit of the spirit" in the 5th chapter of Galatians, he placed it right after a nasty list, recounting 15 "deeds of the flesh." This fruit list was positioned as a remedy for any Christian who might struggle with any of those earthly issues. In Part I and II of this series, we examined the depths of sin in that “earthly deeds” list. In Part III we opened up the remedy of the fruit of the spirit and began with love, joy and peace. While these three things seem basic to any Christian, they have deep roots in the teaching and example of Jesus himself. As we continue with Part IV of our series, we address the next three fruits on the list: patience, kindness and goodness. Don’t let the simplicity of these things fool you, as they each have the ability to profoundly change your life! There's patience and then there's PATIENCE! When we think of patience, we typically think of someone who is willing to wait, as in, “The lines were long, but we waited patiently for our turn.” In the New Testament, the primary words for "patience" add important details to the idea of simply waiting. They describe patience as having fortitude and perseverance. Now, here’s the surprising thing. The patience listed as the fourth fruit of the spirit is an entirely different word! Its meaning focuses on being willing to be restrained and appropriate. So, why is this kind of patience described as the fruitage of God’s spirit and not the other? Perhaps it is because this kind of patience is not only more difficult to develop but is also more difficult to realize its need. I can readily recognize the need to bear up under the weight of trial. However, I am much more likely to miss my need for godly restraint because I feel like my human restraint is good enough. I need God’s spirit to help me see such a need. Who's fruit? One important thing to remember is that this fruit, this depth of character that we are developing is of God. It is NOT the fruit of any individual Christian, it is the result, of God’s spirit dwelling within individual Christians. Each of these fruits come from God as they reflect His character, wisdom and strength. Letting this thought sink in changes everything. The God of all creation gives us His spirit so we can have His own power and influence guide our lives and change our characters! Check out our November 28, 2022 podcast, “Do I Walk in the Spirit or the Lusts of My Human Nature? (Part IV)” for more. We closely examine this restraining brand of patience. Then we investigate what kindness and goodness really mean. As you might guess, their meanings are far more profound than what plainly meets the eye. There are nine fruits of the spirit, and this episode captures the middle three. Join us and watch how God arranges for the depth of His character to unfold in us!

In our last two episodes, we spent significant time reviewing and understanding the Apostle Paul’s list of the deeds of the flesh in Galatians 5. His reason for such a detailed and uncomfortable list was to give us all a clear push forward and away from such things, so we can walk towards living a new life. To walk in Jesus’ footsteps and do God’s will first and foremost should be the most important aspects of any Christian’s daily life. In this episode, we continue examining the Apostle Paul’s profound contrast between the deeds of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit by methodically examining each of the nine characteristics listed. What will these nine aspects of the fruit of the spirit teach us? They teach what a true Christian life looks like, sounds like and feels like! The Apostle Paul begins his list of the fruit of the spirit with love, joy and peace. At the outset, these seem simple. We all know Christianity is founded in love, and we all know the joy of having God in our lives. We also know that God’s plan should bring us peace. Unfortunately, it’s far too easy to write these off as so basic that we can just move on to something else. Instead, let’s pause and consider. This list is called the "fruit of the spirit." Paul is telling us this is not the fruit - the result - of your efforts or my efforts. He is telling us that God’s own spirit, His power and influence in our lives, is what produces these results. This is in direct contrast to the desires of the flesh producing the deeds of the flesh. Love is the first fruit on this very special and sacred list. It's first for a reason. The kind of love listed here is selfless love. It is a love that does not seek its own interest, that gives for the benefit of the receiver and not for its own advantage. This is the kind of love that “God so loved the world” with and that Jesus commanded us to “love one another as I have loved you.” This love is the absolute foundation upon which each and every fruit of the spirit that follows can be built upon. The beautiful thing is God’s spirit will produce this love within us if and only if we continually follow and grow in its leadings. Joy and peace The next fruit on the list is joy. Joy is dramatically underrated and usually misunderstood. Once we learn what joy is and is not, it can begin to transform our daily lives. And don’t get me started about peace, as it is another underappreciated fruit! Check out our November 21, 2022 podcast, “Do I Walk in the Spirit or the Lusts of My Human Nature? (Part III)” for more. Join us as we open up love, joy and peace as the godly characteristics they are. Prepare to be inspired!

Adam was created in the image of God. His physical human nature was fashioned in a way that would glorify God by its very existence. Once he sinned, all that changed. What was once a pure reflection of the heart and mind of God, at best became a muddied and defective reflection. Fast forward thousands of years and we find God’s plan in place to clean up this muddied mess. This cleanup comes through Jesus and his true disciples. As Jesus’ disciples, we are tasked with living above our muddied world. In Part I of this series, we opened up the Apostle Paul’s reasoning regarding walking in the spirit and not fulfilling the desires of the flesh. We began examining Paul’s long list of the works of the flesh in contrast with the fruit of the spirit. Today we continue this journey toward walking in the spirit! The "bad" list and the "good" list Anytime we read the Bible and come upon a long list of human characteristics, we should always pause and consider. Such lists are either there for a sober warning about what to avoid, or as an invitation to embrace what’s listed for spiritual growth. Interestingly, the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5 gave us both kinds. He first gave us a long list of the "works of the flesh." He then contrasted these with the "fruit of the spirit." In Part I of this series, we closely examined the first two categories of these works of the flesh: Category 1 - Intimate Human Desire: immorality, impurity, sensuality Category 2 - Spiritual Control: idolatry, sorcery In this episode, we break down the last three categories of the works of the flesh with ten natural human characteristics: Category 3 - Personal Relationships: hostility, strife, jealousy, anger Category 4 - Group Relationships: disputes, dissensions, factions, envy Category 5 - Reckless Behavior: drunkenness, carousing Hostility, for example, is very much an internal characteristic that lodges and grows in our hearts and minds. Hostility can be present and powerful within us without anyone knowing it’s there. Paul lists strife right after hostility. To be engaged in strife is to be engaged in contention and quarreling. Guess what feeds such tension-filled relationships? Hostility, of course. Looking deeper, we realize there is a cause and effect relationship between them. In addition, many of these deeds of the flesh were listed in a specific order. Paul has a lot to teach us with these difficult characteristics! Check out our November 14, 2022 podcast, “Do I Walk in the Spirit or the Lusts of My Human Nature? (Part II)” for more. We dive into how our Personal and Goup Relationships can be ruined by simply acting the way human beings naturally act. We then address Reckless Behavior. The Apostle Paul is teaching us as Christians how avoid these common and painful traps. Join us! To be forewarned is to be forearmed!

It’s a simple equation with a guaranteed end result. Walk in the spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. As Christians living in an "anything goes" world, this straightforward statement can be easily overlooked and even ignored. Among the many challenges we face today, being like everyone else is among the most subtle temptations of our human nature. We experience subtle social pressure in our workplace, at school, with friends, family and neighbors. Combine all of that with the never-ending online influence of social media to conform or else be negatively labeled, and we experience an unrelenting onslaught of pressure to conform or suffer. How do we as Christians learn to identify - and then overcome - all that is wrong so we can truly follow all that is right? The Apostle Paul was concerned. The Christians in Galatia were struggling with worldly influences coming in among them from several sources. First, there were Christians who came from a Jewish background and believed that all Christians were bound to follow the Jewish Law. Then there were the Christians who came from blatantly Pagan backgrounds. They had to be taught how to live up to Christian standards while flatly rejecting their old ways of life. Christian discipleship has no room for any of this. The bad list and the good list. In chapter 5 verse 16 of his letter to the Galatians, Paul takes a deep dive into these issues. He begins with a simple statement, “Walk by the spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” He then goes on to list the "deeds of the flesh." This was no simple list, as it consisted of 15 different internal and external behaviors for Christians to avoid. Looking closely at this list, we see it is broken down into five basic categories of fleshly deeds. We might expect that such a comprehensive list of the deeds of the flesh would begin with making sure God is always first. Though idolatry seems to be the most widely pointed out sin in the Bible, it is not at the top of Paul's list. He chose instead to begin with sins of human desire. His first three fleshly deeds to avoid were immorality, impurity and sensuality. When we step back and look at how human nature works, we can really begin to grasp why Paul begins with these difficult aspects of life. Check out our November 7, 2022 podcast, “Do I Walk in the Spirit or the Lusts of My Human Nature? (Part I)” for more. We put this whole subject into its appropriate context. We then examine the "human desire" category, as well as the "putting God first" category. As we go through these difficult issues, we also draw on the fruit of the spirit that Paul wisely lists right after these negative behaviors. This multiple-part series will closely examine all of these deeds of the flesh as well as the fruit of the spirit. Our objective is to walk only in the spirit and always away from any deeds of sin.  

"Let go and let God." This simple statement is focused on faith and trust, two fundamental challenges for Christians. We may think it’s easy to have faith, but when we are in times of difficulty, the depth of our true faith is revealed and sometimes revealed as seriously lacking. We may think that we have trust, but when pressed, when we feel like we need answers or changes or insight, our trust becomes scarce while anxiety abounds. All of this can be depressing! We can feel like we are letting God down. The good news is that we are not alone in this struggle to let go and let God. Many of God’s faithful had these same struggles. Because their experiences are recorded in Scripture, we can not only read about their struggle but see how God’s blessing worked in spite of their weakness! The promise and the problem Way back in Genesis, Abraham and Sarah were given an amazing promise. God told Abraham to leave his father’s house and go to a new land that God would show him. Abraham listened. He took Sarah and his household and journeyed to this undisclosed location. As dramatic as this was, it wasn’t the biggest part of God’s promise. God also told him that his descendants would inherit this land. The only problem was Abraham and Sarah didn’t have any children. Worse than that, Abraham was already 75 years old and Sarah was 65! While God’s promise was powerful and exciting, it also seemed like it pushed the limits of their reality. The proposed solution Abraham and Sarah were classic examples of having been given a direction to follow but not understanding how to get there. Time went on and Sarah did not become pregnant. Years went by and both Abraham and Sarah became perplexed. However, their perplexity was not in relation to doubting God’s promise; rather, it was about how that promise would be fulfilled. After about 10 years with no child, they took matters into their own hands. Sarah gave her servant Hagar to Abraham, and she conceived a son. And for us...? This account is full of lessons and guidance for us. First and foremost, it is all about trying to do God’s will. Just like Abraham and Sarah, we sometimes run ahead of what God would have us to do. In their case the result was not fatal, but it did add lots of difficulty and stress. Why would we expect anything less? Check out our October 31,2022 podcast, “How Do I Let Go and Let God?” for more. We walk through the 25-year account of Abraham and Sarah, beginning with the promise of having a son all the way to the birth of Isaac. What we find are striking and relevant lessons for us to apply in the here and now of our own lives. Join us as Abraham and Sarah’s experiences teach us the depth of faith and trust required to truly let go and let God!

Candy, costumes parties and fun! The Halloween season with all of its excitement and trappings is upon us. On top of the fun and the sugar rush, this is a time of year particularly specializes in seeking to be horrified as another form of entertainment. The party-like atmosphere is generously sprinkled with murder, mayhem, zombies and apocalyptic events - all in the name of thrills. Because of this anything goes approach, Halloween has become an absolute favorite holiday. The question is, should we as Christians celebrate this day? After all, its origin is firmly rooted in Paganism. Its practices are firmly rooted in over-the-top behavior. Is it a sin for Christians to celebrate or have anything to do with Halloween? Samhain was an ancient Gaelic celebration deeply rooted in Pagan beliefs It took place at the time of harvest and was one of four seasonal festivals. While Samhain was a celebration of harvest time, it was also believed to be a time when the veil between the spirit world and our physical world was thinnest. Their belief was that spirits - both good and evil - could cross over into our world. While these ancient people anxiously waited for communication from dead relatives, they also feared the wickedness of the vile spirits that could cross over as well. People dressed up as evil spirits and carried carved-out lit turnips as a way to fend off these evil influences. Fast forward many centuries to today and it is easy to see how the roots of our present-day Halloween celebrations originated with Samhain. Looking back into history through a Bible-based perspective, we see that all of their beliefs regarding the spirit world were untrue. Their beliefs were superstitions that logically developed as the age-old questions about life and death needed some kind of explanation. Should we participate in the activities of this day? With this brief view of Halloween’s origins in hand, the question arises as to the propriety of we as Christians celebrating such a holiday. Knowing what we know now, is it wise and spiritually healthy to be engaged in something with such dark origins? As you might imagine, many Christians have many differing perspectives on this question. Some of us say that these origins - and the blatant modern-day satanic aspects - essentially condemn anything connected with Halloween as inherently evil. Others say that their celebrations have absolutely nothing to do with that history or the "evil" side of the day. They say their Halloween is all about kids, having fun by dressing up, family bonding and candy. Which is it? Check out our October 24, 2022 podcast, “Is It a Sin if I... (Part IV)" where we ask about celebrating Halloween. We dig more deeply into Samhain’s history and look at the present-day perspectives from both sides. Most importantly, we build our discussion upon some very sound New Testament scriptural principles. The Apostle Paul helps us step back, consider and decide how to approach this kind of issue. Join us and then explore the rest of this Sin Series. We share no tricks or treats, but we do share scriptural answers!

Sin is a difficult thing to handle. We are constantly challenged to daily live up to godly standards of righteousness. As our social order expands into countless variations of perceived freedoms, there are many questions that need clarifying regarding what is right and wrong in God’s eyes. Today we examine two of those questions. First, is it a sin if I as a Christian get a tattoo? Opinions on this question vary to an amazing degree. Does the Bible guide us on this? Second, is it a sin of I get a blood transfusion? While this is perhaps a small issue for most of us, there are some who have very deep convictions on this matter. What does the Bible say and doesn’t say? Tattoos Tattoos are not just normal to life, they in some ways almost seem like a rite of passage. You decide to express your individuality, so you choose a simple or complex display to put on your body. This display may or may not be visible to the world, but it is your unique signature. What could be wrong with such a thing, especially if you’re a Christian and your chosen ornamentation is a witness to Christ? The Old Testament does speak out clearly against marking our bodies. As we look into the why of the matter, we find that tattoo-like markings were much more than personal ornamentation in ancient times. Pagan nations often used them as forced labels put upon slaves to mark them as such. They were also used by various peoples to represent spiritual or personal protection. With this background, it is easy to see why God told Israel to avoid such markings. However, do those ancient traditions have anything at all to do with our personal decision to get a tattoo here in the 21st century? Blood transfusions Moving on to an entirely different question, is it a sin if I as a Christian get a blood transfusion? While most of the Christian world does not have an issue with this procedure, there are millions who do. Unlike tattoos, this can be a question of life and death. Why would some denominations of Christians forbid the life saving and life preserving transfusing of blood? They claim both Old and New Testaments speak out against it. Do they? Are the majority of Christians missing an important teaching that these few claim is there? Check out our October 17, 2022 podcast, “Is It a Sin if I…? (Part III)” for more. We get into the practical and spiritual aspects of tattoos. We look at the scriptures, discuss pros and cons and establish a baseline for thinking this question through. Regarding blood transfusions, we examine all of the scriptures cited by those who forbid this practice. By looking at context and broader scriptural reasoning, the answers to this vital issue become clear. Join us for a fascinating journey into these two diverse but important questions as we find answers we all should know!

Jesus’ true disciples go to heaven. Not only did Jesus make this clear, but several other scriptures show this amazing result of God’s grace upon a life dedicated to walking in Jesus’ sacrificial footsteps. In the first two parts of this three-part series, we uncovered many heavenly privileges, inheritances and responsibilities that these faithful ones will have. However, at the end of our last episode, we left one question unanswered. This question has to do with another group of Jesus’ followers. Several scriptures allude to this second group of followers as being faithful - but not as faithful - as his truest disciples. What happens to them? Do they also go to heaven, or do they have another destiny? Fortunately, the Bible gives us this answer and gives it in surprising detail! As with any challenging task, a life dedicated to following Jesus can result in different levels of success. We always focus on the results of being faithful and receiving the highest reward of being with Jesus in heaven. Those in this class are figuratively referred to as the "bride of Christ” or the "body of Christ.” It is these who are given the specific responsibilities of the “trees of righteousness” in Isaiah 61 we have been uncovering in Part I and Part II of this series. They are the rightful focal point of many teachings, prophecies and descriptions throughout Scripture. They are models of faith in action and examples of sacrifice even unto death. Who is the great multitude? But there is another group. While they are described in Scripture as faithful, they are also lacking in some ways as well. Revelation 7:9 describes them this way, “…Behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes…” Some Bible translations call them the "great company" or "great crowd." Revelation continues to describe then as having to experience great tribulation and having to wash their robes in the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice. It is saying they got there, but not without having to be pressed into compliance. So, how does this great multitude end up in heaven if their faithfulness was less than stellar? Check out our October 10, 2022 podcast, “What Will We be Doing When We Get to Heaven? Part III” for more. We assemble the puzzle pieces for this great multitude. We uncover some of Jesus’ teachings about them, as well as those of the Apostle Paul. We connect these teachings with their descriptions in Revelation and an Old Testament prophecy. What we find is a comprehensive picture that clearly displays the differences and similarities between this great multitude and Jesus’ truest followers. All of this helps us to zero in on what the work, privileges and inheritances of heaven look like and require. Being called to heaven is no small thing. Join us as we dig into and appreciate all that the Bible teaches us about this marvelous future!

Going to heaven is a really big deal. Last week was Part I of our three-part series on what heaven-bound Christians will be doing when they get there. So far, we uncovered the mechanics of why only chosen ones are privileged to go to heaven. We began to scratch the surface regarding what these disciples of Jesus will be doing. Turns out the job descriptions we focused on were nothing like what most people envision as heavenly life. In this episode, we dig deeply into what the responsibilities of those heaven bound will be. In addition, we will attempt to understand the “why” of it all by connecting several prophecies and scriptures. Our discoveries will reveal absolutely inspiring details and descriptions of how God’s plan is destined to work! Isaiah 61 Jesus himself told us that the prophecy of Isaiah 61 began with a description about him. In the book of Luke, he quoted the first few verses of Isaiah 61 and told his listeners those words were being fulfilled before them. Though Jesus stopped quoting the prophecy, the prophecy didn’t stop describing what would happen after his first advent. It spoke of the Day of Vengeance and the journey of his faithful followers through it. Then the prophecy began to describe his followers after they were given heavenly glory as "trees of righteousness." Trees of righteousness In Part I of this series, we confirmed that these strong trees picture Jesus’ glorified followers as deeply rooted and immovable symbols of God’s will and way. Their divinely appointed work on earth is described as massive and important. Among the many facets of the work we discuss on this episode that Isaiah 61 describes, here we will just touch on two: These trees are called “priests of the Lord" and "ministers of our God.” Priests and ministers At first glance, we might think that being a priest and minister of God are two ways to describe the same thing. While these two responsibilities do work towards the same end, they are very different in application. The biblical priesthood in ancient Israel was responsible to receive the offerings of the people before God. They taught the people and positioned them to be blessed of God as well. While being a priest is to hold a position before the people, being a minister is doing the work of God among the people. It shows an interactivity with those whom the minister serves. So, how are trees supposed to be priests and ministers? And what about the Apostle Peter telling us that this priesthood is a "royal" priesthood? What does that mean? And what about Israel? Aren’t they supposed to be God’s chosen people on earth? The Isaiah prophecy addresses all of these questions and more! Check out our October 3, 2022 podcast, “What Will We Be Doing When We Get to Heaven? Part II." The future work of Jesus’ followers is not just fascinating, it is thoroughly inspiring as well. Join us as we look into scriptures that paint a vivid picture of the future!

It’s pretty safe to assume that most every Christian looks forward to being in heaven with Jesus if they are faithful to their call of discipleship. While this can be an exciting and positively overwhelming prospect, it can also be a future that is filled with questions. What exactly will the faithful be doing when they get to heaven? How will they spend their time? Many say that the faithful will be continually worshipping God and His son, and there is truth to this. However, there is more. Much more. Understanding what Jesus’ faithful disciples will be doing in heaven requires first putting all of Jesus’ mission in order. If we know what he came to do and NOT do when he walked the earth as a man, we will then know what he has yet to accomplish and how his faithful followers will help him later. Who goes there? To understand the whole idea of being resurrected to heaven, we first need to understand a basic but potentially surprising premise. Simply stated, heaven is NOT the destination for everyone who says they love Jesus. Think about it - all of humanity was doomed to death because of the sin of Adam. Jesus satisfied justice by paying the price for that sin. This meant that all of humanity was now given a just right to a resurrected earthly life. Those who will go to heaven are invited to walk in Jesus’ footsteps and sacrifice their human will as he did. Heaven is not a result of justice; it is an unmerited gift of grace. What is heaven all about? While the answer to this simple question is not that easy, there are a few basic heavenly things we can be sure of. First, heaven will be the home of Jesus’ faithful followers. He emphatically taught us in John 14 that there are many “rooms” in his Father’s “house” and he was going to prepare a place for them. The idea of abiding in God’s figurative house is a staggering privilege to say the least! But what do the faithful DO in heaven? We learn the answer by paying attention to both Old and New Testament scriptures together. In 1 Peter chapter 2, Peter offers several titles given to the faithful, like “chosen race” and “royal priesthood.” These are not just empty accolades. They describe serious positions of privilege and responsibility. In Isaiah chapter 61, there are further descriptions of what Jesus’ followers will be doing. The Old and New Testaments combine to teach us about the extensive and profound heavenly work of Jesus’ disciples. Check out our September 26, 2022 podcast, “What Will We be Doing When We Get to Heaven? (Part I)" for more. This is Part I of a three-part series that attempts to methodically put heaven’s privileges, inheritances and responsibilities in order. We analyze the titles and examine the responsibilities that go with them. What we find is a fascinating and unexpectedly clear picture of heavenly power, work and privilege!    

God is all powerful and all knowing. The problem is, we often don’t think about what that really means. Not only has knowledge of God diminished in our day, but respect and reverence for Him are now scarce commodities. Humanity in this technology-driven age is prone to judge without understanding. Our benevolent Creator is an easy target of this. We have discussed many supposed contradictions about God in our Bible Contradictions Series, and we will bring up a few more today. Primarily, we want to look at the relationship between God, us and our hard experiences in life. Does God tempt us? Does God purposely place temptations in front of us as a way to teach or punish? Some say the Bible says yes and others say the Bible absolutely says no. So, who’s right? Let’s actually look at the Bible and find out! In the few simple and profound verses of the Lord’s Prayer, we have the petition for God to “lead us not into temptation.” For some, this is all the evidence they need to assert that God can and will bring us to the very things that are hardest for us. This view turns this part of the Lord’s Prayer into a bit of a begging session with God. It’s as if we are saying, "God, whatever You do, please don’t lead me to the very precipice of my ability to fail! Please!" But should we have to beg God to not tempt us? When we combine this scripture with a few other specific texts, we can begin to see where the idea of God tempting us comes from. However, examining this apparent biblical contradiction reveals a completely different conclusion regarding God’s interactions with our weaknesses. Once understood, both the Old and New Testaments echo a resounding message of God’s character and His treatment of humanity. Check out or September 19, 2022 podcast, “Does God Ever Tempt Us? Contradictions Series” for more. We carefully unfold the several scriptures in question, define the words used and the context of each text to find resounding clarity. We also examine two other apparent biblical contradictions: Does God ever permit us to steal? In the Ten Commandments, God plainly says, “Thou shalt not steal.” Yet he instructed His people to take “spoils” from the Egyptians when He released them from slavery. How can God command the same people to do two seemingly opposite things? What about God's ability to see all and know all? Several scriptures tell us plainly that nothing escapes God’s sight and hearing. However, other scriptures seem to indicate that such power is beyond Him. There are examples of people leaving God’s presence, prophets having to report certain events to God and God sending messengers to verify specific circumstances. So, which is it? Does God see and hear all or does he need lots of help and support? Join us as we journey through these questions to find find sound scriptural answers!    

The actions of God in the Bible are an easy target for criticism. It is so easy to look into this ancient book and pick out events that may not look sensible and even make God look bad and wildly inconsistent. Examining these events carefully does reveal truth and harmony - if we are willing to look for it. One such event is the account where God specifically tells Abraham to take his son Isaac and kill him as a sacrifice to Him. This sounds absurd! How can a God of love, compassion and justice just arbitrarily ask someone to murder their son? What possible good could ever come from such an action? And what about other accounts in the Bible that seem to show God as minimizing the value of human life? These are hard questions. The good news is, the Bible has clear and legitimate answers! God called out to Abraham one day with a very specific command. In Genesis 22:2 God said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." It would be hard to understand this command from God in any other way than it sounds. To make it even harder to comprehend, remember that Isaac was the promised child born to Abraham and Sarah when they were 100 and 90 years old respectively. Abraham had waited 25 years from the time that God originally promised this child. How could God even think about undoing such a miraculous fulfillment of His own promise? This is a searching question. When dealing with such deep and apparent contradictions within the Bible, we need to focus on finding the whole truth instead of jumping to unstudied and shallow conclusions. The fact is, God did NOT want Abraham to murder his son as a sacrifice to show his loyalty to God. How can we be sure of this as it looks to be contrary to what was written? Check out our September 12, 2022 podcast, “Does God REALLY Require Human Sacrifices? for more. As part of our Contradictions Series, we delve into the details of this intriguing account and find the missing pieces to the human sacrifices puzzle. Solving this issue is just the beginning of answering the sacrificing question. We look at another Old Testament event involving King David turning seven men over to another nation to be executed, seemingly as a price of appeasement to God and that other nation. Wouldn’t that constitute God condoning human sacrifice? One other supposed biblical contradiction we look at has to do swearing something is true by taking an oath. Jesus seems to flatly reject making any oath for any reason, yet he himself testified by taking an oath. How do we explain that one? Join us for this revealing episode that uncovers biblical truths about issues that many assume to be evidence of biblical inconsistency. The truth is waiting!    

The Bible is a really big book. It was written by about 40 people spanning a period of over 1,500 years and in three different languages. Just these facts alone create a likelihood of its writings being misunderstood, misinterpreted and misrepresented. Claims that the Bible is a wildly contradictory book are numerous and easy to find. In our Contradictions Series, we continue to look at these questions and attempt to answer them one by one. Our process is to consider the immediate context of the scriptures in question and the larger context of the Bible itself. We examine the original meanings of the words involved and attempt to assign the meaning that best fits the scriptural point being made. Solving apparent biblical contradictions is possible; we just need to see the Bible as God would have us see it! Can God create a rock so heavy He can't pick it up? To be omnipotent is to be all powerful. The Bible, especially the Old Testament, frequently speaks of God as being almighty. What God does in Scripture certainly verify that power. This sounds pretty simple until you realize that philosophically, being all powerful runs into all kinds of self-contradictory problems. If God is all powerful, can He create a rock so big and heavy that He himself can’t pick it up? Skeptics gleefully pose this kind of question as proof that God cannot be all powerful. This conclusion can then bring us to the next step of God being fallible - and therefore not reliable. Suddenly we look at the Bible and its contents as questionable at best. Use the right benchmark While all of this is an amusing intellectual exercise, it completely misses the point of God and being omnipotent. The problem here is the attempt to define whether God is all powerful by the silliness of creating big rocks and having super strength. God created our universe. He is bigger and more brilliant than we can ever imagine. Why not define His being all powerful by His ability to think of and bring into existence such massive and intricate creations? Why not define His all-powerful nature by His ability to have all of these things accomplish precisely what He had planned from the very beginning? To understand the all-powerful nature of God we need to step back and try to grasp the multi-faceted nature of God. Check out our September 5, 2022 episode, “Is God REALLY Omnipotent?” for more. As part of our special Contradictions Series, we seek out answers by unearthing the details that many overlook. God’s comprehensive nature is described by the many biblical names he is called by. We look at a small sampling of these names for perspective. We then dig into other common questions regarding God’s omnipotence. How could God have ever been unhappy about His creation if He is all powerful? What about the things the Bible says that God can’t do? And what about favoritism? Wouldn’t showing favoritism imply that God that God is limited? Join us for a fascinating journey towards understanding just how supreme and powerful God really is!

To seek and acquire wisdom seems to be a lost art in our technology-laden world. Why spend the time, seeking, gathering, learning, absorbing, internalizing and applying wisdom when you can simply Google it and be told what something means? Why invest time and effort into trying to become a “wise person” when most of your friends and family are likely to disagree with such “wisdom” anyway? Face it, acquiring “godly wisdom” spells social media disaster! While this may be true, we need to step back for a moment and consider some things. While social media may rule the day, godly wisdom is timeless. It never changes, never diminishes and never loses its potency. It is always right and inevitably brings, supports and enhances life. Our first “words of wisdom” for today are: choose that which is eternal! What an amazing gift from God! The Bible tells us that King Solomon prayed for wisdom and that God answered his prayer. The way in which God answered that prayer is what gets our attention. 1 Kings 4:29 tells us, “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.” This is impressive. For Solomon to be given wisdom tells us he perceived and understood the deep things of life. To be given discernment speaks to his ability to apply that which he perceived. And to be given “breadth of mind like the sand of the seashore” shows us that his wisdom was not confined to certain specialty areas of life. What an amazing gift from God! Equally amazing is what Solomon did with this gift. He shared it. He made it clear that no matter who you are or what stage of life you are in, the wisdom that comes from reverencing God can and will change your life - if you let it. The book of Proverbs is a collection of many of his writings. It begins by welcoming any and all to listen to and apply the power of godly wisdom. It specifies that even if you are young and naïve, wisdom can and will change your life if you allow it to. Proverbs Chapters 1-9 The first nine chapter of Proverbs are a practical and orderly treatise on the "what," "why" and "how" of wisdom. Many of these chapters begin with Solomon tenderly beckoning his son to listen to and remember his words of wisdom. He pleads with his son to wear the virtues of wisdom wherever he goes, and thereby be protected from the many temptations of life. Check out our August 29, 2022 podcast, “What Can We Learn From One of the Wisest Men on Earth?” for more. We overview these first nine chapters and draw out many pearls of wisdom. We observe Solomon’s descriptions of how and where wisdom shows itself. Wisdom can keep us from many kinds of sins, and we delve into many blunt examples. Don’t miss this breathtaking, profound and mind-altering snapshot of the wisdom of Solomon!  

One of the great Christian challenges of our day is living a God-honoring life in a world that basically thinks you’re nuts. What role should our differences with the world around us play in how we do or don’t fit in with all that goes on each day of our lives? What specific principles do we have that govern our thoughts words and deeds to keep us godly and yet approachable? Jesus’ Parable of the Wineskins answers this. This parable is part of a specific answer Jesus gave to a specific question. His answer also included two other very simple parables. As we will see, these three short examples combine to teach some important lessons relating not only to prophetic events, but to our personal behaviors and choices as well. The disciples of John the Baptist were troubled. They had followed the fearless and dynamic preaching of John for Israel to repent of their sins, and now their leader was in prison. Some of John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked him why his followers did not engage in fasting and mourning as they did. This was an important question and Jesus would give them an important answer. However, in his typical fashion, Jesus did not simply answer their question. On the contrary, he took this opportunity and crafted it into a powerful teaching moment, not just for John’s disciples but for his own followers as well. Jesus’ answer to John the Baptist’s troubled disciples was clear and likely not what they expected to hear. He told them that it was not appropriate for his own disciples to fast, even though John was in prison. Jesus saw that John’s disciples needed to expand their understanding. They needed to realize that Jesus' very presence was the greatest age-changing event that had ever happened. They needed to see that the joy of having Jesus with them far exceeded any sorrow they were feeling. He compassionately taught them this truth by speaking three very short parables. Jesus gave three special parables to the disciples of John the Baptist Jesus’ three stories were simple. The first was about the foolishness of patching an old garment with cloth from a new one and ruining both. The second was about the folly of fermenting new wine in old wineskins and the disaster of that old skin bursting to the ruin of all. The third simple story was about not wanting to try new wine because you are comfortable with the old. All three of these stories were about leaving behind something that had value for the sake of moving on to something of much greater value. John’s disciples needed this message - and so do we. Check out our August 22, 2022 podcast, “Am I Putting New Wine in Old Wineskins?” for more. As powerful as the age-changing message of having Jesus with them was, Jesus’ message in these parables is no less potent to us. Join us for a revealing reality check. It may change the way you see your Christian life!  

Among Christians, some of the most often quoted and beloved Old Testament scriptures are found in Psalm 23. In very few words, these six verses paint a vivid picture of God’s overwhelming care for His children. The imagery of a shepherd knowing and caring for his sheep speaks to our helplessness as we as God’s children attempt to navigate the harsh terrain of a sin-sick world. Without our shepherd the tumult of everyday life makes it is hard to find true spiritual nourishment. Without our shepherd we would not find absolute rest and would always feel vulnerable. We need to ask ourselves:  Do I put myself completely and faithfully into the hands of my shepherd Jesus? Do I really trust him for all things? Is Jesus the true shepherd of my life or do I merely give him that title? How do I know the Lord is REALLY my shepherd? I proclaim to live my faith, to want only God’s will in my life, and to follow Jesus. When it comes down to it, how do I know that my proclamations are more than just mere words? Read the 23rd Psalm. In a subtle way, it presents us with a kind of sincerity test that most of us completely overlook. This test is in the very first verse which in the New International Version reads, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” These seven words are three clear statements of faith. My needy life To begin with, I am putting myself in the position of being a sheep. If you know anything about sheep, you know they are needy. They need guidance, are basically defenseless and can learn to closely follow one who cares for them. This is how I am describing myself. I am a needy follower who would be lost on his own. Next, I am affirming that my needy life is unequivocally guided by the Lord. He has complete responsibility for me. This means he knows my unique personality. He knows what I need, he knows where I am weak, and he knows how to handle everything about me. Following him brings us to the third clear statement of faith: “I lack nothing.” Think about the import of this stance. Because the Lord is the one who guides me and cares for all of my needs, I literally have everything I need. Do you see how the first verse of this Psalm is a sincerity test? If I can answer these three statements of faith in a powerfully positive way, I can read the rest of its verses as a personal promise to me. Check out our August 15, 2022 podcast, “Is the Lord Really My Shepherd?" for more. We navigate this famous Psalm 23 verse-by-verse. We delve into the inspiring facts of shepherding 2,000 years ago in the rugged and mountainous regions of Judaea. Be ready to absorb the powerful message of what it means to be truly cared for by the Lord. This journey can change your Christian perspective. Don’t miss it!

As long as no one gets hurt, I can do pretty much whatever I want! Such is the battle cry of our present age. We are so advanced in our awareness and thinking that it has become easy to throw off the once-constricting values of ages gone by and just be in the here and now. In our last “Is It a Sin if I…” episode, we looked at things like how we dress and adorn ourselves, cross-dressing and gambling. On this episode, we look at some deep issues regarding the expression of our human sexuality. When it comes to sex, there are many difficult questions that require diligent answers. Our diligence will be firmly centered around applying biblical teaching to our very advanced world today, so hold on! The clear scriptural answers we will uncover are destined to trigger major tensions with those around us! It's never been like this The “rules” relating to sex and sexual expression have perhaps become some of the most fluid in all of our present age. What we do and who we do it with are no longer the only considerations. Our most recent generations have integrated technology into its expression and encourage adolescents to freely engage in things once reserved for adults. The 1960’s and 70’s may be remembered as a sexual revolution, but our present time can certainly be seen as a sexual evolution. We are literally changing the role human sexuality plays in our culture into something not previously considered or recognizable. For Christians, this presents a variety of challenges. As you grow up and are surrounded by an open and accepting sexual culture, you find yourself confronted with several basic conflicts. Christian principles for living are typically entirely different than worldly practices for living. Christians of our day are often confronted with many questions relating to sexuality Is it a sin if I have sex before marriage? How can love be sinful? What if it doesn’t feel like a sin? it a sin to get pregnant outside of marriage? Does that ruin my Christianity? Does it somehow condemn my baby? What about sexting? What about living together? These are all relevant and difficult questions. While straightforward answers can be given to each and every one of these dilemmas, we need to go deeper than that. We need to know the “why” of the answers and to understand the biblical construction of morality. We need to be able to match each and every hard question with a sound principle drawn directly from Scripture. Some will think this is out-of-date thinking, but consider this. Are we willing to call our God - who knows the beginning from the end and designed and created all things - old-fashioned? Check out our August 8, 2022 podcast, “Is It a Sin If I…? (Part II)” for more. We ask these very difficult and blunt questions. Then we answer them with sound scriptural principles. We examine the why and how of standing above the world’s influences. Join us for this challenging and enlightening journey!

Technology, medicine, communication and interdependence allow a previously unimaginable world of seemingly unlimited possibilities of societal advancement and personal fulfillment. Our communication is instantaneous, and our collective demands for entertainment and happiness have never been louder. While some of this has been a blessing, Satan, as this world’s master of confusion, has blurred the lines of morality, resulting in our discovery of new methods for old ways to sin. Our focus as Christians, is to please God and obey His righteous laws as outlined in the Bible. We already know God considers murder, lying and pride as sinful, but what about all the contemporary situations the Bible does not directly address? Do we face gray areas now that never before existed? How can we know what God considers sinful? There are two easy things to understand about sin First and foremost, Jesus died for Adam’s sin and for our sins as well. This means there is a final solution to all the problems that sin causes. Second, the Bible’s definition of sin is easy to remember - “to miss the mark,” which means anything less than perfection is sin. As Christians, our job is to take these two understandings and use them as guideposts for how we live our lives. This brings us to asking a lot of questions about a wide variety of areas of life where we can easily be misdirected. Is it a sin if a woman wears artificial fingernails, jewelry, or makeup? Many of us might look at this question and roll our eyes, as these things are and have been so common for so long that they are a fundamental part of our culture. However, the Bible does have several texts that can be understood to mean such things should be off limits for Christians. If we claim to follow Jesus and the teachings of the Bible, we need to look at this kind of question with thought and care. What do the Scriptures truly teach on this matter, and am I willing to follow? Is it a sin if a man dresses like a woman? While for Christians this question may feel like it would be easier to define, it still needs to be carefully considered. Interestingly, there is really only one Bible text that seems to deal with this question, and that scripture is not a direct statement. To have an accurate understanding on such a matter, we need to be clear on any biblical principles that apply - and there are many! Check out our August 1, 2022 podcast, “Is It a Sin If I…? (Part I)" for more. We dig deeply into these two questions and lay out WHY we should approach them in specific ways. We also address several other practical and difficult issues that our 21st century lives are sure to encounter including gambling. Join us as we work to put these challenging things into a God-honoring perspective that we can live with daily. Then head over to Part II, where we pose several important questions about sex.

Parenting is a difficult and often unpredictable task. In Episode 1238, we laid a scripturally-principled foundation for managing our parental “what ifs” and imperfections. We also addressed the ever-present challenge of growing confidence and competence in our children as we slowly release our parental control over them. With all of this in place, it is now time to delve into several of the hard and practical matters of bringing children up. The structure of our present society extols a path and process of raising children that is often fundamentally opposed to true Christian beliefs. This leaves us with a lot of questions that may be hard to answer as we seek to apply principles of godliness. The good news is, no matter the question, there is always clear Bible-based instruction available. As Christians, we should consider the Bible as our guidebook and final word of authority for every aspect of our lives. Even though it does not give us chapter after chapter of parenting advice, it does give us sound, time-tested principles to handle any scenario we parents may face in raising children. This is not only comforting; it strengthens us as well. Parenting in the 21st century looks and feels entirely different than it was thousands of years ago. Here is a sampling of the questions many of us as parents worry about: How do we attain and maintain open and honest relationships with our kids as they go through the many different stages of growing up? Though the Bible may seem silent on this, the principles of God’s approachability to us as His children speaks volumes. When we understand how He loves, listens to and responds to us, we begin to see the patterns and perspectives that parents can and should apply to our own families. What do we do when something bad - really bad - happens to our children? On top of being a parent's worst fear, this kind of experience brings us to a place of alarming uncertainty. Our insecurity can begin to be quelled when we again go back to Scripture. We need to draw on the scriptural teachings that focus on what it takes to cope with and overcome our own hard experiences. These principles direct us in how to care for our children in their tragedies. What do we do when one or more of our children gets into a really rebellious stage of life? This is yet another powerful parental concern that shouts out for guidance and direction. Check out our July 25, 2022 podcast, “How Do We Best Support Our Kids Through Their Hardest Times?” for answers as we walk through each and every one of these questions individually. We draw upon God’s perspective as our heavenly Father. Then we delve into many of the biblical teachings regarding building up those who are struggling, learning to apply them to our own children. Join us for a journey through the Bible that brings practical application, hope and courage to our parenting experience.

Raising children never has been an easy task. Methods for parenting have varied dramatically based on what time in history you are bringing up children. Disciplining children in an “appropriate” way looks entirely different now than it did just a few generations ago. The culture you live in as you raise a family also has a powerful impact. We live in an age and culture of technology, where much of life is easily lived through watching or typing onto the screen of your phone. This convenience carries a great potential cost. Are we allowing technology and social media to not only unduly influence our children, but ourselves as well? Are we Christian parents listening to social suggestions regarding what our children need to the exclusion of going back to the basic biblical principles for those answers? No matter what age in time we live in and no matter what culture we find ourselves a part of, we all want something good or special for our children. A portion of the book of Proverbs is King Solomon writing to his son. He shares some of the wisdom God blessed him with, his life experiences and his warnings about the pitfalls of growing up. As we read these things, it becomes apparent that little has changed over thousands of years when it comes to loving and protecting our children. What if? While the desire is the same, the experience of raising children has been completely overhauled. Because the world now fits into the palm of your hand in the form of a cell phone, the variety of challenges we face would be unrecognizable to Solomon. One simple example: the parental challenge of managing all of the “what ifs” their child may face. In ancient times, the “what ifs” were about things like crops, herds, weather, warring factions and overall security. Now our "what if" list is endless. What if my child has emotional, learning or physical issues? What if they get bullied or become a bully? Christian parents don't need to be overwhelmed! Just putting the “what ifs” of raising children in perspective is a massive undertaking. While the Bible does not deal with each and every one of them, it does teach us the principles we need to face ALL of them. Interestingly, there is comparatively little written in the Bible about child rearing. The principles Christian parents seek are found in passages that help us cope with the unknown. There is also abundant biblical teaching that shows us how God is our Father and how He parents us. Applying these principles is learning from the best Father ever! Check out our July 18, 2022 podcast, “Is Parental Discipline of Our Children a Thing of the Past?” for more. We not only handle the “what ifs” of life, we also delve into coping with being a very imperfect parent and appropriate disciplining tactics. Parenting is massively difficult. Join us as we examine its challenges under the bright light of biblical principle and teaching. Parenting will never be the same!

Talking about the Day of Judgment can be difficult. The sad truth is that as magnanimous as the love and mercy of God through Jesus are, the opportunity to fail throughout the Day of Judgment will be very real. God created humanity with free will. The Day of Judgment will be about teaching our race how to use that free will to make righteous choices that lead to eternal life. This will require accountability for all and a heartfelt focus on unlearning and renouncing all things sinful. Because these lessons will be based on the enormous firsthand experiences with sin and death we all have in this age, they will be practical, logical, appealing and learnable. Jesus’ Parable of the Sheep and Goats is a picture of the end results of these lessons. Jesus was a master storyteller When he spoke any one of his several parables, he always had specific lessons in mind. To teach those lessons he regularly used common, real-life examples as symbols to make his point. The Parable of the Sheep and Goats is a classic example. Jesus was teaching about the often-prophesied future judgment that will come upon all nations of the world. This particular parable was depicting the end of the Judgment Day opportunities to prove humanity’s loyalty to God. It was a story to illustrate the final accounting for each and every human being. In some regions of the world, sheep and goats look very much the same. Everyone in Israel in Jesus’ time would have been familiar with sheep, goats and the shepherds that cared for them. The most obvious lesson of this teaching? What may look the same can bring diametrically opposed results. Jesus was establishing that the differences between being ultimately in or out of God’s favor would not be easily detectable by outward appearance. So, why use sheep and goats to illustrate this? Temperament and behavior In a surprising number of ways, sheep and goats are opposites. As just one example, once sheep are trained, they habitually follow their shepherd. They recognize and respond to his voice, ignoring other voices. To live an eternally righteous life will require adherence to God’s laws through Jesus. It will require being responsive - not to threats - but to the simple direction of the shepherd. Goats, on the other hand, may occasionally heed the shepherd’s voice but are often preoccupied with exploring their own path. This exemplifies a very self-righteous approach and not a humble, godly approach to life. Check out our July 11,2022 podcast, “Will I Survive God’s Final Judgment?” for more. We compare several characteristics of sheep and goats to see what Jesus was telling us will keep individuals in or out of God’s kingdom. These differences are amazing and revealing. By using sheep and goats as examples, Jesus gives us surprising details as to what each and every person can and should strive for. The bottom line? It’s all about the heart, the very core of each person. Join us and learn how to be sheep!  

In Part I we examined modern-day Paganism and compared it with some of the most basic tenants of Christianity as revealed in the Bible. What we found were two fundamentally different approaches to life, worship and morality. We can see that as Christians, we are absolutely to love those who hold such a contrary belief system to ours, but that does not mean we support the standards they choose to live by. But what about Wicca, considered "white" witchcraft and built on the basis of Pagan beliefs? As Christians, we might simply say our answer here should be obvious. However, there are claims that the Bible is only condemnatory of black magic and black witchcraft, so Wicca is not included in those verses. Could this be true? What does the Bible really teach on these matters? **PLEASE NOTE** We inadvertently moved the definition of one of the Hebrew words under the wrong heading for the on-air presentation. While this did slightly skew two meanings, it does not at all change the clear conclusions of these scriptures. Please refer to the corrected CQ Rewind Show Notes at ChristianQuestions.com and the Christian Questions app. Is it possible to be Christian AND Wiccan at the same time? There are many levels on which this question can be considered and answered. Let’s begin with the basic level of discipleship. Any disciple’s job is to learn from their teacher. They then seek to emulate what they learned in their own daily experiences to their best ability. Wicca is a spiritual system of belief that focuses on one's individual free thought and will. It is very much an earth-based perspective. As a form of Paganism, it sees divinity in all things. To be a student of Wicca, meaning a disciple of its philosophy, one must put these principles of following your own will and the revering of nature first. This is all a basis for learning how to perform the magic arts that Wicca offers. Self-promotion or self-denial? To be a disciple of Jesus means we are always willing to put his example before us in any matter of life. Jesus unabashedly taught us to first and foremost follow and do God’s will, especially when our own will has different objectives. He also emphatically taught that worship belongs to the one and only God and Father of us all. As Jesus’ disciples, we are obligated to put these simple principles of self-denial and focused reverence to God first. This is the very basis for learning how to transform our lives into true disciples who daily live what they believe. When comparing the basis for Wicca with the basis for Christianity, these fundamental differences cannot be overlooked. Yet still some insist they can be combined. Their reasoning is built on several approaches. First, Jesus technically never said anything negative about any kind of witchcraft. Second, the hard Old Testament condemnations of witchcraft and the like were only directed at practices that delved into the dark arts. Wicca, they claim, is not in that category. What now? Check out our July 4, 2022 podcast, “Can Christianity and Paganism Work Together? (Part II)" for details. We deeply examine those Old Testament condemnations, consider Jesus’ words and put the whole issue plainly on the table. Join us as we walk through the details and find the clearly defined biblical guidance to stand for godly truth.  

Our religious world has changed dramatically. In the bygone days of generations past. we had clear lines that marked our differences. Christianity seemed to have clear and unmistakable differences from religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Druidism. Our "one God and one Savior" approach stood in an entirely different category from the multiple-god eternal journey that mystics and Pagans adhered to. Here we are in the age of technology and some of those lines and distinctions seems to be blurred and fading. There are movements now announcing that we are all really on the same journey of enlightenment and walking side-by-side on similar paths. So, is this a good thing? Should Christians embrace these seemingly progressive steps, or should we run the other way? Paganism is ancient It has been around longer than Christianity by thousands of years. It was in existence in several ancient cultures long before the Ten Commandments were given to Moses. In a broad and basic sense, Paganism is very much a nature-based belief system. Pagans see life and divinity in everything. All aspects of nature - from plants, animals, air, water and earth are connected to the planets, stars and the universe. This universal harmony is revered and, in some cases, worshipped. The cycles of nature, especially the seasonal cycles of the earth, are markers that illustrate the pattern Pagans see in all of life. The attraction of Paganism Living in the fast-paced technology, internet and gadget-filled world of our day, this belief system can come across as a wholesome breath of fresh air. Paganism’s respect for all things and inclusiveness of all people can really feel like a needed reset. This approach can be powerfully attractive to any who are looking for meaning. How should we look at this from a Christian perspective? There are several things here that are easy to appreciate. Does that mean we should recognize both Pagan and Christian alike as being on the same journey? Not so fast... As appealing as it might sound to just embrace everyone and move on, there is much more to the story that needs deep consideration. Looking at the appreciative and inclusive approach to life that Paganism describes is only a small part of our needed understanding. Grasping the how and why of this belief system is every bit as important as absorbing the good intentions of its adherents. Check out our June 27, 2022 podcast, “Can Christianity and Paganism Work Together? (Part I)" for more. We address the similarities and differences between Christian and Pagan beliefs by methodically defining several aspects of Pagan culture and comparing each with biblically-based Christianity. Then we look into a growing Christian movement that suggests the unifying of the two systems is not only practical but advisable. What we find is both enlightening and important. Join us for Part I of this two-part series. See how the Bible guides us through the difficult challenge of finding and following what is respectable and right. Then head over to Part II for an in-depth look at Wicca.  

Tragedy hurts. But a tragedy that involves the utterly senseless taking of the lives of innocent children is a blow to the heart that can send us reeling. Such a blow is hard to recover from and the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, is a most recent and horrifying example of this profound pain. Heated debates typically spring up after such a tragedy as everyone wants answers as to how to stop such things. One resounding question that comes from believers and unbelievers alike is, how can an all-knowing, all-powerful God see such things happen and just, well, just do nothing? If God is love as the Bible says He is, how do we even begin to understand what so many consider to be His utter lack of attention and intervention in such tragedies? God created humanity in His own image. This means He gave us the abilities to feel emotion, to think critically and to choose. While these abilities are among the greatest aspects of our human freedom, they are also the most problematic. We are also descendants of Adam and were therefore born into his sinful nature. This means our emotions, critical thinking and choices are distorted by unbalanced and broken perceptions of the world around us. While we are all stuck in this sin-driven pattern, those who commit heinous crimes are particularly noticeable. They ruin themselves and destroy the lives of countless others in the process. While God does allow our sinful emotions, thinking and choices - and their consequences - to rule our lives, this is not the end result of His plan. The pain and suffering we feel as a result of the senseless killing of children and adults heightens our longing for sin and evil to cease their merciless rule in our lives. The uplifting and relieving news is, God’s plan reveals that this change will occur. As a matter of fact, it will occur in dramatic and unmistakable fashion. The problem is we are not yet at the time for that dramatic transition. Right now, we are left to cope with the hurt and sadness of our ever-present grief and losses. So, what do we do? Check out our June 20, 2022 podcast, “Why Does God Allow the Innocent to Suffer?” for direction. While there is no miracle cure for the pain we feel, we can take small steps towards being able to manage it. The first of these steps is to try and see our horrific experiences through God’s eyes. Seeing what He sees feeds us the renewal and strength to fight another day. Understanding and applying God’s perspective will help with the acceptance we need to slowly put the broken pieces of our lives back together. Such a rebuilding also provides us with the opportunity to reach out and encourage others in their pain and loss. Nothing is easy here, but by the grace and plan of God through Jesus, we can cope with all of this sadness. Join us and shine the light of God’s truth into a dark place!  

It’s hard to stay focused, especially when that focus requires attention be given to something that is different and challenging. As Christians living in this 21st century, our responsibility is, as Jesus said when he was only 12 years old, to “be about our Father’s business.” As clear as this objective is, because we are imperfect we sometimes get tripped up and lose our focus. Thank God for His grace given to us through Jesus! What about other times when it’s not just a typical misstep? How about when we fall not just into a careless or impetuous wrongdoing, but into a full-blown choice that leads us towards evil? What do we do to help us come to our senses, and not only retract the wrongdoing but decisively get ourselves back onto the path of God-honoring thoughts, words and deeds? Personal Choice Walking away from God’s presence and blessings in our lives can happen in a variety of different ways and on a variety of different levels. Whatever the circumstances we face or the experiences we have, there is always a single, driving, common theme present: personal choice. The simple fact of the matter is, if you and I have a personal relationship with God through Jesus, God will never walk away from it. He is faithful and will always be present for us in every time of need. On the other hand, we have the power to walk away from that faithfulness, should we choose to. The scary thing is that we can walk right out of the protective range of His grace and favor. Desire and Pride Why would we do such a thing? It turns out that the Bible clearly details several reasons we can end up in such a condition. Being in the sinful human state we are, falling prey to these motivations for leaving God behind can be easier to follow than we might think. So, what are they? What could cause us to walk away from God’s favor? Desire and pride. Our desire and our personal pride. Desire is stimulated by what we see and what we feel. Pride is stimulated by the credit we want to have reflected in our lives. The toughest part of all this is that it is all natural - and in our world, it is all encouraged. Essentially, we are saying that walking away from God is a very natural, very human thing to do! Great! Now what? Check out our June 13, 2022 podcast, “God is Out of My Life! How Do I Get Him Back In?” for answers. We not only carefully examine what parts of our human makeup can draw us away from God, we also address the issues of degree. When we are drawn off course, how far off do we go? What remedies and changes are appropriate and at what stages? Join us for an honest and biblical conversation about our own human tendencies and the solid remedies we can use to keep us in God’s favor.  

We live in an age of tremendous knowledge, phenomenal technology and unprecedented freedom. On one hand, ours is an age where the individual reigns supreme. I can decide what's right and wrong for me. I can also expect others to make allowances for my conclusions. On the other hand, the Gospel of Jesus Christ tells us right from wrong and moral from immoral. It defines our treatment of others, how to live and why we should live that way. The gospel is all about calling out a people for God’s name through Jesus and proclaiming that God’s kingdom is in fact coming! With the way this world operates, does the gospel message and way of life even matter? Are the personal freedoms of our present social order beyond its reach? Just before the resurrected Jesus ascended to heaven, he spoke very specifically to his 11 disciples about what their mission would be in his absence. The simple truth was that they were to preach the good news of Jesus, salvation and the coming kingdom. They were also tasked with “making disciples of all nations.” This meant that the focus of the gospel message was going to expand beyond the boundaries of Israel and have an impact throughout the entire world. Paganism vs. Christianity The challenges the disciples would face as they brought this message to their pagan world back in those ancient times were significant. It was not easy to bring godly humility, godly morality, and discipleship to Christ to the people of that world. Those nations had their own brand of "humility, morality and discipleship," and it was all focused on their pagan gods and rituals. Fortunately, the early church’s challenges, experiences and solutions are recorded for us in the New Testament. Relevant or obsolete? Those New Testament epistles and letters help us to focus on the very same mission they were tasked with. In many ways, our present-day challenges with living and sharing the gospel are even more difficult. The standards of that message are exactly the same as when Jesus and the apostles preached. However, the standards of the world have degraded significantly. This makes the contrast between a worldly view of life and a Christian view of life far more pointed. Does this larger-than-life difference in world view make Christianity into a round peg of values that doesn’t fit into the square hole of our culture? Absolutely! What now? Check out our June 6, 2022 podcast, “Is the Gospel Obsolete?” for more. We dig into what to do with several of the primary principles we stand for as Christians. The fact that we are not on the same page as the world around us regarding values does not keep us from being empathetic with them. As a matter of fact, the whole idea of applying empathy from a Christian perspective is key to grasping the gospel’s relevance in our world today. Join us as we examine how we can, as representatives of the gospel, make a difference!

The vast majority of Christian belief systems may have a problem. What do they do with the billions of humanity who aren’t true followers of Jesus, but they aren’t terrible people either? These billions try to live a good life by being decent and kind to one another. Many of these have not heard the name of Jesus in any meaningful way. Can we say that God will destroy them for essentially being born in the wrong time and place? That doesn’t make sense! Can we say that they go to heaven when they die? That doesn’t make sense either. Jesus taught us that going to heaven is a call that is difficult and requires deliberate choices. God loves humanity so much that he sent His only son Jesus as our ransom. That being the case, what does happen to those billions who are not good enough for heaven? Who are the "good" people? The idea that all good people go to heaven cannot be even remotely defended from the Bible. According to Jesus’ own words, following him requires one to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him daily. This is no recipe that the masses of good-hearted humanity would ever sign up for. Fortunately, the Bible does clearly describe the fate of those whose destination is not heaven. Here’s a big hint:  this destination is not some burning place of torment either. Everyone was condemned to sin and death, but... Romans chapter 5 is perhaps one of the most detailed explanations of the destiny of all humanity in the entire Bible. The chapter begins with Paul speaking about true Christianity and the amazing gift of grace they have all been given. He then shifts his focus and talks about the entire race of humanity being condemned to sin and death because of Adam. Paul’s undeniable point is that Jesus’ sacrifice unequivocally included every single person who was ever born in Adam. He says that Jesus’ righteous sacrifice gave every one of them “justification of life,” according to Romans 5:18. So, what does that mean? How does that work? To be "justified" is to be made right before God. Obviously, the people of the world in all of their sin and godlessness are not now in any way made right before God. The Bible tells us this being made right will be as a result of their resurrection. But doesn’t the Day of Judgment happen then? Yes, it does! So, how does this all fit together? Check out our May 30, 2022 podcast, “What if I’m Not Good Enough for Heaven?” for details. We focus in on what the Bible reveals is in store for those who are not heaven bound. We weigh the blessing of their resurrection against the weight of their coming accountability. What we find is a logical and revealing process of how God’s plan works for and not against them. Join us as we unfold the several similarities and major differences between salvation for Jesus’ followers and for everybody else.  

God does not reward sin. On the contrary, He abhors it! Satan’s first rebellious thoughts against God will result in his eventual destruction. Adam’s sin of disobedience has and continues to result in the power of sin, evil and death plaguing our world to this day. Enter Tamar and Rahab. These are two Old Testament women who both acted immorally and yet found their way into a very unusual position of God’s favor. They were two of only five women listed in the genealogy of Jesus. How can this be? Did God make an exception for them? What was it they did or didn’t do to have the privilege of having Jesus be a descendant of their blood lines? The answers to these questions are found in the fascinating accounts and decisions of their lives. Who was Tamar? Tamar lived long before the nation of Israel was established. She lived at the time when Jacob and his 12 sons (who would become the 12 tribes of Israel) were alive. Tamar was the widowed daughter-in-law of Judah, one of those 12 sons. Tamar’s sin was to dress up like a prostitute and entice Judah (who was a widower at the time) into sexual relations. Tamar got pregnant, had twins, and one of those twins ends up being in the lineage of Jesus himself. Before jumping to conclusions, it is important to point out that at this time in his life, Judah was no shining example of morality himself. Could two wrongs make something right? Why would God allow the lineage of Jesus to come from such a profoundly immoral ancestry? Who was Rahab? Our next example is Rahab. She lived several generations later. She was a Canaanite woman who lived in the city of Jericho at the time Israel conquered it. Rahab didn’t just dress up like a prostitute, she was one. In spite of her profession, she was instrumental in hiding and aiding the two spies Joshua sent into the city. How did she help them? She lied several times. Rahab and her family were spared from death when the city fell. They were relocated to live with the nation of Israel and Rahab also was blessed with being in the lineage of Jesus. Once again the question arises, why would God use such an person with such a reputation to be part of Jesus’ own ancestry? Check out our May 23, 2022 podcast, “Why Would God Bless Two Immoral Women?” for more. We put these accounts of Tamar and Rahab in order by assembling and examining the details and their context. There are several profound lessons that this investigation reveals. One very foundational lesson is that no matter how it may appear, God does not condone immoral behavior. On the contrary, He always has and always will plainly condemn it. This foundation opens the door for being able to grasp how God was able to bless these women within the context of their wrongdoing. Join us for a fascinating journey into two rarely talked about biblical accounts that teach amazing lessons!

We all get angry. In today’s social media world, we can easily find a platform to express that anger. Our anger develops when we hear or see something that we interpret as causing fear, frustration or offense. We react to our perception, and the seeds of anger are sown and grown in an instant. Once angry, we often find it justifiable to lash out with our own brand of challenge, retaliation or defiance. Our anger has now grown from a personal internal emotion into a larger and more threatening external action which is usually destructive and not constructive. As Christians, what are we supposed to do with this human instinct? Should we allow ourselves to get angry? Both God and Jesus got angry, so does that give us permission? Anger doesn’t just happen on its own. On the contrary, it is generally seen as a secondary emotion. It engages because we have felt something else that provokes us to anger. According to the article in Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, “Deconstructing Anger in the Human Brain,” by Gadi Gilam and Talma Hendler, there are three primary emotions that can drive us towards anger: Real or imagined threat such as physical or psychological pain Frustration due to goal obstruction Perceived personal offense due to unfair treatment, violation of social norms, insults, rejections, criticism, and the like. Why is it important to know this? As Christians, we are just as susceptible to feeling threatened, frustration, and perceived personal offenses as anyone else. However, we are specifically given a much higher standard than others to manage our anger. While the Scriptures tell us being angry is not necessarily wrong, that is only the beginning of the story. The Bible also reveals different levels of anger, and we are specifically instructed to never engage in some of them. We can learn from God's example of anger If we observe the many biblical accounts where God was angry, we see a pattern. God’s anger was in a broad sense always focused on humanity's rejection of His righteousness - and therefore of Him. Because we know God does have a plan for all, we can understand His expressions of anger as for the ultimate good of humanity. God’s anger was and is a tool of His righteousness. We can learn from Jesus' example of anger There were a few times in Jesus’ ministry when he got angry. Very angry. When we look at what he said and what he did, it can help us understand what appropriate anger should look like. Here’s a hint, it is not easy to achieve! Check out our May 16, 2022 podcast, “I’m a Christian and I’m Angry. What Now?” for more. We observe how anger works on a physiological level and how our physiology automatically engages our emotions. Anger is instinctive. We can choose whether its drive will be a force of constructive contribution or a force of destruction and disaster. The anger we see in our world now is primarily destructive. Join us and learn how to stand against that tide!

In our last episode, we deeply explored the human soul. We saw that both the Old and New Testaments clearly teach that humans ARE souls and don’t HAVE souls. We further confirmed that the Bible is explicit about the destiny of the human soul being death, as that was the irrevocable penalty for sin given to Adam at the beginning. As surprising as all this might sound, it is all verified in Scripture. We will now consider the human spirit. What is it? Is it a tangible being or an intangible essence? Is it a life force all of its own? Are the soul and spirit the same? Is the human spirit immortal, or can it die? These are complex questions. As with the soul, the answers can be found in the Bible, but only if we are careful to consider both the Old and New Testament records together. Wind, breeze, breath = spirit The words for “spirit” in both the Old and New Testaments primarily mean a wind, breeze or breath. This sounds simple and basic until we look at how these words are used. The Hebrew word is usually translated as some variation of wind or breeze when used in the context of nature. The simplicity ends there. The same word is translated “spirit” when referring to God’s spirit. Of course, God’s spirit is so much more than some breeze or wind. His spirit was the moving power in creation. His spirit inspired the Old Testament prophets to write and speak. It was the power behind the New Testament miracles of Jesus and others. His spirit dwells within New Testament Christians to guide us in our lives. Spirit of man The same words for wind and breeze in the Bible are also used to describe the spirit of man. There are many descriptions of what man’s spirit does. The human spirit can be sorrowful. It can ponder, it can seek out God and His will, be impatient, grow faint and be worthy of imitation. We can serve God with our human spirit. With all of these specific applications the Bible gives to our spirit, we can now begin to address its makeup. Is the human spirt the same as human soul? What happens to it when we die? A comprehensive look at the biblical descriptions of our spirit clearly reveals that our soul and spirit are in fact very different. So, what does this mean? Check out our May 9, 2022 podcast, “Where Do the Human Soul and Spirit Go When We Die? (Part II)” for more. The Old and New Testament words for spirit are cited nearly 700 times in Scripture. We examine several of these verses to understand the varied uses of these words. We focus in on the human spirit's origin, makeup and fate. What we find is a surprising yet logical explanation of our spirit. Join us and learn the power, purposes and destiny of your own human spirit.  

Do human beings HAVE souls or ARE they souls? Do human beings have a spirit? If so, what does that mean? Or, are we really spirit beings temporarily confined in a terrestrial body? What happens when we die? Do our soul and spirit die? Do they go someplace, or do they stay together? Religions, cultures and philosophy have weighed in on these questions for untold centuries. The answers we've come up with are as varied as the peoples of this planet. How can we know who is right? If we objectively look into the Bible to define the human soul and spirit and what happens to them at death, it is possible to find concrete guidance and answers. Why take a biblical perspective? Because it is ancient reasoning written over many centuries that has proven itself historically accurate, morally sound and prophetically true. Definitions, please To understand the human soul and spirit, we first need to define them. Part I of this series focuses on the soul. While it seems like the human soul can be tricky to define, it doesn’t have to be. The Bible is a really long book written over many centuries. Throughout its pages there are continual references to the soul. If we are patient enough to put these references in order and use them to verify one another, we can end up with a clear biblical message. The problem is, we as humans too often and too easily carry our preconceived ideas of biblical interpretation into our study. Do we HAVE a soul or ARE we a soul? As we might expect, the account of God creating man is the first time we are introduced to the human soul. The surprising thing is the way this creation of Adam is simply worded. It says in Genesis 2:7 that God formed a body from the elements of the earth and breathed the breath of life into that body. The next detail is deeply significant. The account says man became a living soul. It didn’t say he was given a soul; it says he became a soul. But do we have an immortal soul? Digging a bit further, we find this word for soul simply means "a breathing creature." This is not the image of what most Christians believe a soul to be. Further, the other living creatures in God’s original creation are referred to by this same word for soul. This would mean that we are souls just like the animal kingdom! What do we do now? Check out our May 2, 2022 podcast, “Where Do the Human Soul and Spirit Go When We Die?" (Part I) for more. We carefully lay out how the Bible describes the human soul. We cross reference that definition by comparing the Old and New Testaments. What we find out about the human soul is surprising and clear. We then take that same discovery trip through the Scriptures to clarify what happens to the human soul at death. Again, there is surprising simplicity in the biblical message. Join us for Part I of this 2-part series and uncover life changing biblical truths about the soul!  

Nobody likes to suffer. Nobody wants pain, turmoil, uncertainty, tragedy or sickness to take up continual residence in their lives. When a Christian suffers by facing hard things in their daily experience, it is easy to look at it as punishment. We see these harsh experiences as a signal that something is wrong and expect them to sap the joy right out of our lives. Suffering is easily seen as have little to no redeeming value. We think that it signals that God has ceased protecting us, and that means trouble. Turns out, the Bible has a lot to say about suffering, trial and punishment. It explains in great detail the role suffering plays in our lives, and the how and why of punishments that come from God. Why? When Christians ask about the suffering that comes to us in our lives, we often ask the simple question why. Why is this happening? Why can’t it be different? Why me? While these are important questions, they really can’t be answered until we understand the basis of suffering in our lives. This understanding is made clear when we stop looking at our own trials, difficulties and mishaps and instead look at Jesus. Why did Jesus suffer if he was perfect? Jesus suffered - and he suffered a lot. Why? He was perfect and therefore certainly didn’t need any kind of punishment! So, why suffer? On the contrary, Jesus preached the gospel - the good news - that would be for all people. With such a universally positive message, why did he have to go through the insults, the contradictions, the accusations and threats from those who opposed him? At the end of his ministry, why did he have to go through the humiliation, the false testimonies, the beatings, the whippings, and finally crucifixion? Jesus suffered because that was part of the price that needed to be paid to bring full salvation to humanity. By willingly suffering, Jesus assured us he knows by his own experiences what the consequences of sin look like and feel like. This gives us confidence in Jesus on a very human level. He went through the kinds of things we go through and ALWAYS overcame them. If Jesus could so willingly embrace such hard suffering for the sake of God’s plan, then we are called to embrace it as well. “If we suffer with him, we will also be glorified with him” Romans 8:17. We can now see that much of our Christian suffering is for the purpose of growing in Christ as we walk in his footsteps. But what about when we sin? What about God punishing us? Check out our April 25, 2022 podcast, “Am I Being Punished or Favored?” for more. God’s discipline in our lives is an integral part of our Christian growth experience. We dig into the why and how of this discipline, as well as several perspectives regarding the handling of our Christian suffering. Suffering is a privilege! Join us as we learn how to rejoice in all aspects of our discipleship.

When thinking about world-altering events, there is one that stands alone as the single most powerful world-changing event in the history of humanity. It is the raising of Jesus from the dead. Many call this Easter Sunday. When this event occurred so many centuries years ago, the vast majority of the world had no idea of its significance. Today 2,000 years later, most still don’t have a clue. Jesus’ resurrection sealed the future hope of every man, woman and child who ever lived by guaranteeing them their own resurrection. Even more than this, Jesus’ resurrection also changed individual lives back then as it still does today. After the Apostle Peter abandoned Jesus in his greatest hour of trial, Peter needed the renewing power of Jesus’ resurrection. We too can falter as Peter did. How can we claim that same renewing power? Could this be us? We all experience faltering faith at some time or other. Imagine being told that you were likely to do something really bad, something you would never dream of doing. You think, “No way will THAT ever happen !” You go about your business and then look up later and realize that you did exactly what you thought you would NEVER do! And to top it off, not only did you do it; you did it with energy and flare! As bad as this example feels, what Peter did when he denied that he even knew Jesus on the night before Jesus’ crucifixion was far worse. The depth of his failure rightfully shook him to his very core. It would have intensely shaken or even broken any one of us as well. The only one not shaken by Peter’s collapse was Jesus himself. As a matter of fact, Jesus knew Peter’s weakness would manifest long before it happened. Jesus informed Peter of what was to come and invested significant time into teaching Peter several fundamental lessons before his debacle occurred. You might wonder, if Jesus knew Peter was going to deny him, why even bother with teaching him? Wouldn’t his lessons fall on deaf ears? Teaching now. Understanding later. One of the many profound things about Jesus’ mind and character was that he always focused on the big picture even while attentively handling the minute details before him. Jesus’ teachings dedicated to Peter were not meant to bear fruit that night, they were meant to change Peter later. It would not be until Jesus had been crucified, in the grave for three days and resurrected that those lessons would even begin to touch Peter. More than that, Peter’s failure, Jesus’ lessons, and the resulting victory were put there to aid our faltering faith as well. Check out our April 18, 2022 podcast, “Can Jesus’ Resurrection Revive My Faltering Faith?” for more. Because we fail like Peter did, our paying attention to all that Jesus did for him can be transformative for us. Join us as we watch Jesus’ wisdom, love and compassion unfold and rebuild Peter. It’s a recipe for how Jesus can - by the power of his resurrection - take our failures and bring us to victory!

In all of human history, there has never been an event with the magnitude and drama of the nation of Israel being freed from their harsh slavery in Egypt. Millions of people and countless flocks literally walked away from generations of harsh servitude. God guided them to their freedom after the 10th plague and through the establishment of the Passover. This Passover event was to be remembered and celebrated year after year for all of their generations to follow. And the whole deliverance-from-Egypt experience was mentioned countless times throughout the history of the Old Testament. Why? Why were these things such vital things to not only remember but to appreciate? It turns out that these things provide massive insights for Christians as to how God’s plan really works! A new calendar Not too many events in all of world history can you look at and see a whole new calendar being established because of them. When God told the Hebrews it was time to leave their Egyptian slave masters, He marked this event by establishing a “sacred calendar.” Before going any further with the details, this tells us just how significant their freedom would be in God’s mind and plan. The first dates to be recognized on that sacred calendar would be the 10th and the 14th of the month Nisan. Interestingly, neither of these were the date they were actually freed from slavery. Both dates had to do with a lamb. The month of Nisan On the 10th of Nisan each enslaved Hebrew household was to choose a lamb from their herds. The chosen lamb (or goat) was to be the best of the herd. It was to be without any defect, a year old and male. Each household was to slaughter that lamb four days later on the 14th. They were to eat it and put some of its blood on the outside doorframes of their homes. Why so much focus on the meal of a lamb when they are about to be freed from generations of slavery? The deliverance millions of Hebrews would experience would not come as a result of a revolt or a war. Their freedom would come because of the lamb. The lamb would be the centerpiece of Israel’s Passover, Israel’s deliverance, that would for thousands of years be celebrated on the 14th of Nisan. Check out our April 11,2022 podcast, “Why Should Christians Care About Israel’s Deliverance From Slavery?” for more. We piece together many of the fascinating and meticulous details of this first Passover. We then open the floodgates of biblical testimony that show how the Passover was a profound picture of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus. The lamb, the meal they ate, the manner in which they ate it, the sparing of the firstborn and the deliverance of the nation all told a bigger story. Join us for this amazing journey into Israel’s amazing deliverance from slavery that painted a detailed picture of how salvation in Jesus works.

Talking about the end of the world is scary. The amazing thing is that predicting it has been going on for thousands of years. Quoting a few lines from a 2009 Smithsonian Magazine article: “An Assyrian clay tablet dating to around 2800 B.C. bears the inscription: Our Earth is degenerate in these later days; there are signs that the world is speedily coming to an end; bribery and corruption are common; children no longer obey their parents; every man wants to write a book and the end of the world is evidently approaching." So, does the Bible actually tell us how the world will end? It doesn't, but the more appropriate question is, does it give us prophecies that describe how the world will dramatically change? Absolutely! We are not piling on to the mountain of end-of-the-world predictions here; instead, we are seeking to interpret world-changing events as prophesied in Scripture. Dramatic Bible prophecies Sometimes Bible prophecies can be really cryptic and mystifying, especially when they speak of the things like the earth collapsing or melting. We can look at what is being described and easily draw the wrong conclusions. The 46th chapter of Psalms is such a prophecy. It tells us of raging ocean waters, mountains shaking and falling into the sea and the earth melting. People seem to gravitate to the drama of these kinds of descriptions. They are the types of things you see in those end times, apocalyptic movies. As Bible-believing Christians, we have to ask ourselves if such statements in Scripture should be taken literally or figuratively. So, does Psalm 46 tell us how the world will end? According to this prophecy, will the physical earth be turned into a molten mass of liquified elements? Will all life cease to exist? If we say yes, then we have to answer the question of why. Why would God create this world, inhabit it with humanity, allow sin, and then bring a Savior only to utterly destroy it? Would this reveal a God of love, wisdom, justice and power, or a God of chaos, reactions and rage? Fortunately, God reveals Himself to be the God of love, wisdom, justice and power. His stated intention regarding the earth is that it will remain forever (Ecclesiastes 1:4). That being said, what does having the mountains fall into the raging sea mean? It means trouble - world-changing, chaos-causing trouble. Check out our April 4, 2022 podcast, “Does the Bible Tell Us How the World Will End?” for more. We examine the language Psalm 46 and define what these scriptural symbols mean. We then follow how these symbols apply in our present day. The conclusion is startling! We are here and now living in the time of this prophecy’s dramatic fulfillment. While this can be scary, it can also be comforting. Join us as we put the pieces together and watch God’s masterful plan unfold!

Most Christians are very aware of Satan’s influence in our world today. We know he is opposed to God and His will at all turns, and as the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), he will ferociously fight to keep all he has laid claim to. What we don’t often think about is how we as individual Christians fit into the intensity of Satan’s raging against God. The Scriptures tell us that his objective was and continues to be usurping for himself the authority that ultimately belongs to the Most High God. Anyone and anything that in any way shape or form stands in the way of Satan’s fight over his perceived authority is fair game for his unrighteous anger. As Christians, we love God supremely and seek to daily walk in the footsteps of our Lord Christ Jesus. This blessing means we are also Satan’s prime targets. What now? Satan as a roaring lion The Apostle Peter’s illustration of Satan going about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour in 1 Peter 5:8 is a powerful one. Peter had firsthand experience regarding the power of Satan’s attacks when he denied the Lord three times before Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus warned Peter that Satan was after him (Luke 22:31-32) and that he had prayed for him. Jesus knew Satan would exploit Peter’s moments of weakness and attempt to reframe them as a life of failure. Satan lost that battle and as a result, Peter warned us to be watchful. Do you hear the roar? Lions roar for a variety of reasons. They roar to warn their pride of danger, to scare off an intruder, another lion or a predator. A lion’s roar can be devastatingly loud, and it can invoke acute fear and panic. Satan as a roaring lion is unmistakably hunting down the followers of Jesus. His objective is to stifle the work of Christ that is being accomplished through us. He will stop at nothing to intimidate, discourage, or cause us to panic in fear. He knows that his time and his dominion are both limited. What happens when you corner a predatory animal? They attack with a destroyer’s ferocity. Satan’s attacks on the disciples of Christ can take place in a variety of ways. His typical approach seems to be to lie in wait for the everyday trials that come to us as we strive to be like Jesus. His objective is to turn those trials into traumas and to get us to focus on things other than following Christ. Check out our March 28, 2022 podcast, “How Is Satan Trying to Devour Me?” for more. We examine four specific ways Satan as a roaring lion seeks to get into our hearts and heads. We look at several real-life examples of what it means to stand up against the lion’s roar. The Bible tells us to wear the Armor of God, but fighting Satan requires us to be armed inwardly as well outwardly. Join us as we focus on standing our ground in the battle for our Christian lives!

Hope is a critical part of the human experience. Without it, our lives would be overrun with despair, doubt and difficulty. It's intertwined in every part of any experience that contains even the smallest measure of doubt. Without it, we would end up meeting the uncertainties of each day with our own internal and unanswerable uncertainties. The results would be disastrous! The fact is there are different interpretations of what this kind of optimism really is. If we place our expectations in seriously questionable ideas, circumstances or people, we will undoubtedly end up with high levels of disappointment. So, how do we keep true hope alive? For Christians, it all begins with striving to understand what biblical hope really is. Once we grasp this, we begin to see that hope in its most complete form is absolutely transformational. First and foremost, let’s establish the difference between a true hope and a wish. When we wish for something, we have an emotional attachment to whatever that thing or circumstance is to be a reality. I can be having a bad day and wish it would end. I can be short and wish I was tall. I can apply for a job that I am underqualified for and wish I would get it. None of these wishes have a direct link to the reality of my life. Developing and banking on wishes generally brings us disappointing results. Genuine hope is different The New Testament word for hope means "expectation." Hope  from a biblical standpoint, then, has its basis in truth and not in any emotional desire for something to be real. Biblical hope is based on things that are outside of ourselves. It is based on principles of righteousness and godliness. And it is based on the fact that God does have a plan. Biblical hope is something to aspire to because it works. It requires effort and constancy on our part, which is a far cry from the emotionalism of a wish. With such a stark difference between hopes and wishes, you’d think we would avoid the entire wish thing and hold onto the solid expectations that hope brings. Theoretically this is doable, but practically this is challenging. It is far too easy to dilute true biblical hope with generous portions of my own desires and perspective. It's just too convenient to take sound scriptural principles and prophecies and customize them to fit my personal viewpoint. Check out our March 21, 2022 podcast, “How Do We Keep Hope Alive?” for more. We lay out the awe-inspiring scriptures that reveal how God shows Himself to be the fundamental basis of all biblical hope. We look at the several steps needed to not only lock on to truth-based biblical hope, but also how to apply it along the way. Finally, we look at the hopelessness of our world and uncover how to be filled with hope in spite of the mess we are in. Join us! Genuine hope is something you don’t want to live without!

As Christians, we all fail. We all think, say or do things that are out of harmony with God’s will and way, and this can be really frustrating. So, what can change those failures? Will focusing on having more faith make a difference? The answer to this is both yes and no. Having more faith can only make a difference if we understand what faith really is. For many, having Christian faith is professing a belief. It is looking towards Jesus and choosing to be his follower. While this is appropriate and necessary, it's only a beginning. True faith is far deeper. When we look at both the Old and New Testaments together, we see a very different description of faith. This description shows us how we can use true and genuine faith to help take us from failure to victory. So, how does faith work? We often classify our Christian faith into the categories of intellectual appreciation and heart reliance. Let’s be clear - faith does belong in these categories, as it is very much an internal foundation for our discipleship. We live in a time when God does not show His presence as readily as He did in biblical times. This makes it important to really know God and Jesus with our minds as we grasp what salvation and redemption are all about. Just as important, we need to feel the impact of God’s love and Jesus’ leadership in our hearts as well. For many of us, these things signal strong faith that can lead us through difficulties. However, there is much more to faith than this. And...action! Faith’s frequently overlooked ingredient is action. The Old Testament is filled with accounts of individuals who stood head and shoulders above others when it came to faithfully following God’s will. Their examples were so inspiring that the 11th chapter of Hebrews was dedicated to citing many of their “living by faith” examples. Did you know? If you look up the word “faith” in most translations, it only appears twice in the entire Old Testament! This is in comparison to appearing 229 times in the New Testament. The Old Testament covers about 4,000 years of human history and the New Testament covers about 100 years of history. So, how do we learn faith vs. failure lessons from a period of time when faith is hardly mentioned? It all comes down to understanding how faith was expressed in those ancient days. Check out our March 14, 2022 podcast, “Can Faith Take Me From Failure to Victory?” for more. We discover what a life of faith actually meant in Old Testament times. We examine several aspects of how Joshua, the man appointed by God to lead Israel into the land of Canaan, lived his faith. All of this gives us a broader comprehension of the value and application of life faithfully lived in a God-honoring way. Join us as we learn to see how faith can bring us to victory when we fail!

Part I of this important topic focused in on some harsh Old Testament accounts that featured God pronouncing death and destruction to those who perpetrated great evil. Bible skeptics parade these accounts as proof that God is merciless, evil and even sadistic. While the Old Testament does put these kinds of judgments into perspective, the ability to draw a full conclusion regarding God’s purposes is not complete. We need the rest of the story. We need to understand how the New Testament is built on top of - but does not replace - the Old Testament. Today, we continue looking into the whole Bible to accurately measure God’s love against His wrath. What we will find is the rest of the story as we apply the role Jesus played as a man to all those who suffered and died before his earthly mission. Not so fast... Understanding God’s wrath requires a willingness to look at both the Old and New Testaments as a continuous unfolding of the mind of God. This approach reveals the depth of thought, preparation and wisdom that has gone into God’s plan ultimately unfolding. Instead of looking at specific events that can bring us to a point of judging God, we should rather locate the specific big picture principles being taught by those events. What about Sodom? A good illustration of this is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah back in Abraham’s time. These cities were destroyed as a result of their horrendous evil. Interestingly, when Jesus references the city of Sodom, he does so in a positive light. He says that if the miracles he performed were seen in Sodom, they would have not been destroyed and that they will have an easier time in the Day of Judgment. To the skeptic, this would prove that God is arbitrary, as it intimates that they were salvageable. Just show them miracles! Why all the darkness? God’s plan is so much bigger than the simple Band-Aid of a miracle. His focus is on the eternal opportunity that His plan gives ALL of us through Jesus. To understand God’s wrath in relation to God’s love, we need to recognize that God allowed the darkness of the sin that plagues this world. Why would He allow something so destructive? Because it is a necessary experience that shows the futility of life without godly righteousness. God’s bottom line is to use the foul experiences of sin to teach all of humanity the necessity and advantage of obeying His ways and His words. Check out our March 7, 2022 podcast, “Is God’s Wrath Stronger than His Love? (Part II)” for more. We identify what the pathway through this sinful world leads to. We highlight the amazing promises God made on behalf of humanity so many thousands of years ago. God’s wrath is His intentional way of showing all of us the darkness and destructiveness of sin. His love was intentionally expressed through promises and through Jesus paying the price that sin required. Join us and see how these God-honoring puzzle pieces of God’s character fit together.    

There are MANY things in the Bible that are easily misunderstood and therefore easily misrepresented. Perhaps the most singularly misrepresented subject in the entire Bible is the nature of God Himself. There are many who accuse God of being angry, vengeful, cruel and unjust, especially because of the Old Testament. They write Him off as unworthy of respect, and laugh when the New Testament presents Him as just, loving and merciful. The contradiction, they say, is untenable and glaring. When we read certain Old Testament verses without explanation or context, we can begin to identify their perspective. What we know based on the study of scripture and history, is that they are wrong. God DOES show anger, wrath and harshness in the Bible, but there is a plan behind it if we are willing to search it out! When the nation of Israel was released from their slavery in Egypt, they were instructed to go the land of Canaan. God had promised them this land would be their homeland. The only problem was, there were seven other nations already occupying it. The solution? God told Israel to wipe out those seven nations, and that He would lead the annihilation. He did. Israel conquered the land of Canaan and established it as their homeland. Let’s pause a moment. As Christians, how can we justify such actions? How can we in good conscience stand behind a God who seems to be so arbitrary when so many lives are at stake? The good news is, we don’t have to stand behind such a one-sided story. Why? Because the actual account contains a myriad of other details that entirely change the meaning of this account. The first point of significance is this: 400 years before this destruction occurred, God spoke to Abraham in a dream. He told him that the sinfulness of the Canaanites was growing and their evil would come to its full measure 400 years later. This foresight of God reveals many things First, it tells us that God is not arbitrary in His wrath. It tells us that He will release His righteous anger only when the circumstances call for it. Second, it shows us that God understands the effects of sin upon humanity. He knows that if given time, sin will slowly and methodically peel away any remnants of righteousness from those who reject Him. Check out our February 28, 2022 podcast, “Is God’s Wrath Stronger Than His Love? (Part I)" for more. We track the historical demise of the Canaanite people and find their horrifying and degraded condition. We examine several other accusations regarding the wrath of God and put them in historical and scriptural context. The bottom line is, when we look at the things God did that seem so dark, we need to be willing to back up and see their broader context. God IS just and God IS love. Join us for Part 1 as it unveils the issues we then explain more fully in Part II.  

In the 2,000 years since Jesus walked the earth, Christianity has in some ways progressed but in many ways fragmented. Depending on the doctrine or ritual you are looking at, you can find groups with a laser focus on it or a minimized approach to it. The early Christian ritual of the “laying on of hands” is a good example of this dichotomy. Some of us centralize its importance while others of us see it as a thing of the past. If laying on of hands was central, why was it NOT used consistently? If it was of little significance, then why was it used at all? The fact is, the act of laying on of hands was clearly present in the Old Testament. The apostles did plainly use this ritual several times. So, what is the bottom-line application of laying on of hands for Christians living today? Purposes in the Old Testament The Old Testament reveals that laying on of hands was used in ancient times in relation to several important functions: As a symbol of passing on a patriarchal blessing, as in the case of Israel with his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48. As a symbol of dedicating one to a position of spiritual authority and responsibility, demonstrated in Numbers 8. It also came up in an instance of healing in through Elisha in 2 Kings 4. The point is, this ritual had a clear foundation of acceptability and importance as Jesus later came on the scene. What about Jesus? Jesus did lay hands on others, but he was not consistent. While there are several accounts of him healing this way, there are also several accounts of him healing without touch. Jesus even healed when the sick individual was not in his presence. While Jesus did lay his hands on children to bless them, he also blessed others by just his spoken words. If we move on to examine the laying on of hands regarding the apostles and disciples, we see the same inconsistency. They sometimes healed though laying on of hands and sometimes didn’t. Sometimes they conferred Christian authority and responsibility upon others using this ritual and sometimes didn’t. They were even inconsistent when it came to being the conduit for followers to receive the holy spirit. If our primary examples of Jesus and the apostles didn't display a clear example regarding this ritual, then what are we supposed to do? Check out our February 21, 2022 podcast, “Should Christians be Practicing “Laying on of Hands?” for more. We trace how and why the Jewish importance of this ritual transferred to Christianity. We examine the New Testament inconsistencies regarding laying on of hands and find the reasons behind them. Most importantly, we look at what our responsibilities are towards laying on of hands today. The question of whether or not we should use this ritual is important and the Scriptures do give us a clear answer. Join us for a fascinating journey into an important foundation of Christianity!

When it comes to understanding your marriage relationship, there may not be a more revealing question to ask than, “What do I say when I talk to my spouse?” We make a life-altering decision to marry, and the passion behind it is clear and solid. We see it as a "forever" passion. Time passes and this passionate decision can become a commonplace part of life, one we don’t give much thought to. Then kind of like putting on your most comfortable pair of shoes or sitting in your favorite chair, your marriage becomes just another element of life you absentmindedly rely on to provide you comfort. As you talk to your spouse, your words perhaps subtly at first begin to reflect reaffirming your own comfort instead of being interested in their experience. So sad and too often, so true! Think about this! We communicate with our spouses through our words, actions, innuendo - and what we choose to focus on as important. These communications reveal the condition of OUR OWN HEARTS. Just by looking at these simple things, how would we say we’re doing with our spousal dialogue? Consider that somewhere around half of all marriages end in divorce and countless others are unhappy. With all of this in mind, it is evident that strong and healthy spousal communication is the exception and not the rule. Why is this the case? Living in the age of technology, the short (and I might add depressing) answer is this. There is too much else that we allow to demand our attention. We are so busy with working, challenges, social media, kids, friends, personal interests, politics, causes and distractions that we lose sight of our spouse. Because there is so much to see, hear and respond to we spend far less time, energy and emotional investment on the most important person in our lives. Why? Because they are an assumed part of our life that can easily be handled on autopilot. When we do finally try and communicate, it is often done to express dissatisfaction or anger. Now that is a lose-lose approach! Check out our February 14, 2022 podcast, “What Do I Say When I Talk to My Spouse?” for more. We look at several scriptural principles and examples to give us a solid foundation from which to communicate. Two kinds of love can drive healthy relationships, so we talk about how to keep them in focus. We delve into the “why" and “how” of our conversations and where they so easily get sidetracked. We examine the most important thing that needs to be conveyed to our spouse. Here’s a hint:  It is NOT telling them how we feel or why we might be mad. THE most important thing has little to do with us at all. A happy relationship is fundamentally dependent on strong communication. Join us and gather some of the tools necessary to build that foundation!  

As Christians, we are truly blessed. Having given our lives to Jesus, we are assured that all of our experiences are overruled for our best benefit. This is not to imply we can just coast along as though we were given a ticket for some magical ride to heaven riding on fluffy clouds of comfort. On the contrary. Being a Christian is hard. We are expected to work in the service of God through Jesus on a regular daily basis. We are also expected to be accountable for what we do or don’t do. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus shows us that we are given specific work to do for him, and that we have exactly what we need to get the job done. So, the question is, how am I doing? What godly things have I been given to do, and am I daily working at accomplishing them? In the Parable of the Talents, a master is traveling to a faraway place. He gathers his servants to him and gives them each a large sum of money to work with while he is gone. Upon his return, he demands an accounting of their activity in his absence. To those who have worked profitably, he doles out a generous reward. To those who have not, he doles out a punishment. Jesus is represented by the master in the story. He spoke this parable to prepare his followers for his inevitable departure to heaven. There are several points of significance in this story, but we will only touch on parts of two:  This master turns over his "wealth” to these particular servants in his absence. He implicitly trusts them to be responsible for the profitable investment of all his money. So, what did this wealth of Jesus that he handed over to true Christians represent? Several things. Perhaps the most obvious application of this wealth is the gospel. Jesus’ very presence for his earthly mission was “glad tidings of great joy to all people!” In his absence, this message is no less glad and no less important. True Christians are tasked with protecting the integrity of this message while spreading it to the world. The master distributes his wealth to his servants according to their individual ability. This one seemingly small detail ends up being of powerful importance. Jesus left his followers with a lot to handle, and yet he didn’t leave them with too much to handle. Check out our February 7, 2022 podcast, “What Am I Doing with What God Has Given Me?” for more. We lay out the several aspects of what this entrusted wealth means. The discussion continues about the implications of being given responsibility according to our ability. We address the accusation in the parable that the master is a harsh man. This story is a blueprint for handling our Christian responsibilities and talents. Don’t miss its inspiration and encouragement!

When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, he changed everything. All that the people of Israel had ever heard before this was related to the Jewish Law and much of that teaching had been corrupted by their religious leadership. Jesus sat on a hillside teaching his disciples, allowing anyone to listen in who had a mind to hear. For those who did, he unfolded transformational instructions to become his true disciples. The import of the simple statements he began his sermon with, now known as the Beatitudes, is eternal. Last week we began to unpack these Beatitudes and covered the first three of the seven. Here in Part II, we cover the last four. What deep lessons and instructions did Jesus use to describe his own character as a model for ours? A quick recap... In Part I of our 2-part series, we labeled what being “blessed” really means. We spoke in detail about “Blessed are the poor in spirit" (humble), “Blessed are those that mourn” (those who grieve) and “Blessed are the meek” (teachable). These three characteristics lay a very solid foundation on which to build a Christian life. The next three, “hungering and thirsting for righteousness” being “merciful” and being “pure in heart” are also steppingstones to a dramatic conclusion. Understanding the progressive nature of these six beatitudes gives us a far deeper appreciation of what Jesus wants us to be. It is important to realize that appreciating the depth of the Beatitudes unlocks an understanding of the challenges of a Christian life. Each and every experience we have - be it happy or sad, inspiring or crushing - ties into these seven characteristics. The further you go through this list of these Beatitudes, the more difficult it is to apply the character trait. Beatitude #6 - for the mature Christian Take the sixth beatitude as an example, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Purity of heart is not something we come to Christ already possessing. As a matter of fact, the exact opposite is true. We come to Jesus because we make mistakes, we say bad things and we act out of pride or jealousy, or anger or selfishness. All of these are symptoms of an impure heart, and we are loaded down with them. We need Jesus because we need forgiveness for our sins. To develop a purer heart is to work at purging out the sinful thoughts, words and actions from our lives. Purity of heart is not a function of mere desire. It is a result of hard work, humility and discipline over a very long time. Check out our January 24, 2022 podcast “Is God Happy With My Attitude? (Part II) for more. We establish a clear order and connection for all of the Beatitudes. We focus on the last one, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” We reveal why this particular characteristic of peacemaking is at the top of this profound list. To be a true Christian requires work. Join us and learn how these seven character traits can focus that work to best honor God!  

Arguably, the most well-known sermon in the world is the Sermon on the Mount, delivered by Jesus over 2,000 years ago on a mountainside near the Lake of Gennesaret and Capernaum. It was his longest recorded sermon, covering important topics like loving your enemies, anger and murder, adultery and divorce, how to fast and laying up treasures in heaven. His audience was his disciples plus a curious crowd, attracted by his ability to perform wondrous miracles. The sermon began with several deceptively simple “blessed” statements called the Beatitudes. These statements are actually a profound foundation for all of Jesus’ teachings. They show us not only how to frame our view of life, they also show us how we are to treat those around us with godly grace. Just who was Jesus talking to? One of the key factors in understanding the Sermon on the Mount and its introductory Beatitudes is knowing who Jesus’ audience was. When we look at the scenario, we see Jesus sitting on a hillside surrounded by countless people who came to hear what he had to say. While it seems obvious that Jesus was talking directly to those masses, it is not the correct conclusion. The context before and after the Beatitudes were spoken clearly indicates that he was, in fact, directly addressing only his disciples. This fact raises several relevant questions: Does this mean the Beatitudes don't apply to the average person? Why speak these things with so many people around if you aren't intending them to benefit? To answer these, we make several observations: Jesus was wise. He always knew who was listening. He knew who he was specifically addressing and why. Throughout his ministry, he frequently focused on one segment of a group while intentionally allowing others to listen in. Why? He knew the principles of godly righteousness he always taught should be heard by all, even if they would not fully understand them. The Beatitudes fit beautifully into this explanation. Jesus DOES want all people to recognize, love and honor God. He wisely knows the vast majority who may listen are likely mere curiosity seekers. For them to be able to simply hear, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” is a positive thing. It points to the all-important basis of personal humility as a way for God to deal with us and for us to be true disciples of Christ. While the full depth and meaning of these words escapes the casual listener, it does impact and change those who would truly follow Jesus. Check out our January 17,2022 podcast, “Is God Happy with My Attitude?" (Part I) for more. We begin with defining the profound meaning of being “blessed” and then carefully examine each of the first three Beatitudes. We find so much more than a list of inspirational sayings. The seven teachings of Jesus are actually a lynchpin for a successful Christin life. Join us for Part I as we begin this journey into the mind and life of Jesus. This will help us to understand what our lives should look like. Part II picks up right where we left off, so don't miss this important 2-part series.  

It is easy to live with bitterness. I am not suggesting it’s initially comfortable, but I am suggesting that being bitter towards one or many people or circumstances is considered acceptable. We know it’s acceptable because if we pay attention, we will see that the harsh and angry results of a bitter temperament are widely encouraged. Bitterness can enter at every turn and enters easily and stealthily. Once in, it quietly takes root, masked as what we might consider justifiable anger or a justifiable reaction to wrong, or simply a justifiable defense of one’s own self. Then it grows – quietly and under the surface at first so that we get comfortable with it, until one day we wake up and it rules our life. Bitterness is more destructive than we like to think for several reasons: It reformats the way we see the world If I have been terribly wronged by someone’s purposeful action and suffer lasting consequences, bitterness can be natural and understandable. Allowing my bitter feelings to be at home in my heart is easy, as they provide a way for me explain away my now stagnating life. This produces comfort. Once we get comfortable with something, we no longer question it. Without my conscious permission, my life perspective has now changed. I see the world differently. Over time, I will inevitably be presented with several opportunities along the way to ease that bitterness, but I will most likely reject them as disruptive or useless. It destroys our lives is through its complexity Being bitter often brings us to being sad, disillusioned, angry and disappointed. Each of these are challenging symptoms all on their own. Routing out any one of them can be a mammoth challenge. Even when we do manage to get one or more of these under control, we still have the root cause of bitterness alive and intact within our hearts. In the New Testament, the Bible basically defines bitterness as poison. How much poison are we willing to live with? You can dilute poison with lots of water, but are you still willing to drink it? Are we willing to rationalize and say that our bitter feelings are not as bad as someone else’s, so we’re okay? The Bible frames being bitter as a significant target for Christians to overcome and not tolerate. Check out our January 10, 2022 podcast, “Am I Too Bitter to Be Better?” for more. We look at several biblical examples of bitterness to see what drives them and what can derail them. What we find is both alarming and hopeful. First, we find that bitterness can upend our lives in ways that we might never have thought of. But we also find that there are many things we can do to dig down and root out our bitterness. Join us for a journey of growth and change as we seek to root out the poison of a bitter heart.

The source of the phrase, “The devil is in the details” is a bit unsure. It is thought to be a derivation of the phrase “God is in the detail,” thought to be from an old German proverb sometime in the 1800’s. Whatever the origin, both phrases are profoundly true. As we begin a new year, we often look to get things in order, so that we can improve our quality of life. For a Christian, this is a great practice but is also one that should be approached with a measure of caution. Why? Because the devil CAN be in the details! Just because we decide we want our lives to be better does not mean we will automatically go about it in a God-honoring way! So, what do we watch out for? How can we be sure to have the details of our desires be more appropriate, have godliness written all over them and no trace of the devil? What do we know about the devil? The devil is a spiritual being not of this earth. But through several prophecies, the Bible tells us a fair amount about his heavenly position and responsibilities. These prophecies reveal he was called a “morning star.” This was a very high rank among all of God’s created beings. They also tell us how he was given a measure of oversight over the earthly creation. All of this adds up to Satan being in a natural position of powerful and influence over humanity. This became obvious when he deceived Eve in the Garden, and she followed his direction rather than God’s specific instruction. How is the devil in our details? The nature of Satan’s rebellion against God is prophetically revealed in Isaiah 14:12-14. These verses describe not only his mindset, but his objectives as he sought to be like God. When we couple the prophetic history of Satan with his blatant rebellion against God, we end up with an alarming influence over humanity that is evil. The unfortunate conclusion from all of this is that the devil is not only in the details of our lives, he is naturally in those details. This means his rebellious characteristics of arrogance, deception and subtlety have an indelible effect on the human race. We as humans often look to make decisions to improve our lives and focus our ambition, especially at the beginning of a new year. Knowing what we know now, we need to proceed with wisdom, as we want to have God in the details of our lives and not Satan. Check out our January 03, 2022 podcast, “Is the Devil in the Details of My Life?” for more. We look at four specific aspects of Satan’s desires. We compare his desires with our typical human attempts to make our lives better. What we find is reason for caution and hope. Caution, because it is painfully easy to give in to the devil’s way of doing things by always putting ME first. Hope because these things are recognizable and changeable! God belongs in the details of our lives. Let’s make sure He is there!

Technology brings the world to the palm of your hand. This means we are bombarded with voices. Worldly voices of opinion, anger, politics, perspective, ego, trends and personal interpretations of morality. If you have technology in your life, it is virtually impossible to completely shut these voices out. On the other hand, we have the voice of God through His Word and through His people. This voice is powerful but quiet. It is relevant but subtle; nourishing but it seems outdated. It is transformative in a very positive way, but it is also laughed at as out of touch. So, how do we identify the voices around us and then intentionally choose whose will influence us to listen? The voice loop Our morality as humans is directly related to the voices we choose to listen to. It is woefully easy to get stuck in a “voice loop” where we allow certain voices, certain perspectives, to circulate nonstop in our minds. This results in two tragic consequences:  We probably don’t even know it’s happening. We have become accustomed to and comfortable with the voices we have chosen. They are now part of the furniture of our minds. Our conscious thoughts accept them as unequivocally belonging. These voices affect our behavior, leading us to something called “moral disengagement.” Moral disengagement is a cognitive mechanism that detaches our internal moral standards from our actions, allowing us to engage in unethical behavior without feeling distress. Historically, one of the most dramatic examples of this was Nazi Germany. The Nazi propaganda of that time labeled Jews, Gypsies and others as less than human. The victims were seen as rats. This voice loop became so pervasive that it led to a systematic attempt to exterminate these "vermin." It’s called genocide and became acceptable. What does this atrocity have to do with us? Unfortunately, more than we might be comfortable admitting. Our “voice loops” likely include a lot more dehumanizing language than we might be aware of. Now, we can say that we’d never resort to genocide, and I hope that is true. The more piercing question is, are we on the same highway as those who became so morally disengaged that they consciously and efficiently destroyed millions of lives? Check out our December 27, 2021 podcast, “Whose Voices Are You Listening To?” for more. We look at seven mechanisms of moral disengagement, beginning with dehumanization. We apply these mechanisms to how our tech-driven world shapes us and find some disturbing trends. Next, we apply these mechanisms to several people in the Bible who had power and influence. We find striking similarities! With all of this unsettling material to pour through, we also present sound scriptural principles to help us manage these difficult challenges. If the idea of being involuntarily fed destructive voices on a regular daily basis is disturbing, then join us. We face the issues of influence with faith, courage and godly solutions!

So, what is Christmas about? Well, that depends on who you are. For some, Christmas is traditionally a time for family and friends. It’s a time when we are more likely to put aside the stresses of our daily grind and give a little more, smile a little more and notice what is around us a little more. It is a time to slow down and have gratitude. For others, it is a time of gifts, parties, decorations and entertainment. Spending goes into overdrive and the excitement rules the day. It is a time to speed up and be everywhere. For Christians, Christmas should be a time for gratitude as we reflect on the birth of our Lord Jesus. While we can do the family and friends things and also be part of the excitement and entertainment, how can we maintain our focus on the most important thing? How can we define the most important thing? For me, it’s simple. I believe the most important thing is that the Bible not only reveals the voice of God, it also reveals that He has a plan. This plan is built around the fact that He knew humanity would sin. This sin would lead to eternal death. God pre-arranged a solution for this problem, and that solution would give every human being who ever lived a true opportunity for life. The solution's name is Jesus. God’s plan of redemption and reconciliation through Jesus IS the most important thing. 400 years of silence Leading up to this most important thing was a pretty unnoticeable process. The Old Testament quietly ended, which meant God was no longer talking to Israel through prophets. Malachi was the last of those Old Testament prophets, and his final written words described the conditions for Jesus to arrive on the scene. Four-hundred years later, the angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias, the soon to be father of John the Baptist. And the New Testament is born! God’s most important plan was now ready to bring the most important feature into focus. As the New Testament unfolds, we see how God orchestrated the events that lead to Jesus’ birth by way of His holy spirit and of angels. We will see how He designed the announcement of Jesus’ birth through angelic proclamation, accompanied by a magnificent chorus of countless angels. We will also see how God protected the child Jesus. This protection was enacted through several angelic messages. All of this added up to God providing powerful care so the greatest life ever lived could begin. Check out our December 20, 2021 podcast, “How Do We Keep Christmas About Jesus?” for more. We tell the story of Jesus’ birth with particular focus on the extraordinary providences of God along the way. The lesson here is dramatic. Our ability to keep Christmas about Jesus is deeply enhanced when we understand how profoundly God took care of the details surrounding his birth. Join us and hear the story that began the life that changed everything!

Outside of some deeply philosophical debates, the idea of human beings having inherent freedom of choice seems to be a generally acceptable premise. Free will makes us special. The capacity of conscious choice establishes humankind in a unique category in relation to the rest of life on our planet. When human beings interfere with the freedom of choice of other humans, the consequences are usually dark. We end up with things like oppression, slavery and dictatorships. Does God ever interfere with our freedom of choice? Does He ever override an individual’s chosen pathway and force them onto another one? Some scriptures seem to indicate this, but is it? How do we understand the value and application of human choice in God’s ultimate plan? Because the debates over free will are so varied, we will focus on free will as defined by three conditions:  The ability to do otherwise. This is the basis of free will, as it describes the fact that a choice exists because there are at least two alternatives. Control over one’s choices. We cannot be considered to be making a choice if we do not have personal say over the choices. Responsiveness to reasons. If my choice is based on “the luck of the draw,” I cannot be said to be choosing anything. Instead, I am simply accepting a result without any personal response to drive that acceptance. When we look at the Bible, we can observe that God definitely gave humanity the gift of free will. This one thought can raise many questions regarding our relationship to God. For instance, if God gave us free will, then why doesn’t He give us better options to choose from? For the vast majority of humanity, the choices they are faced with always seem to be a mixed bag of good and bad no matter which way they go. If God loves us as we say He does, why isn’t there more quality in our daily choices? Does God ever influence our choices so they really aren't ours anymore? There are several scriptures that seem to indicate this is the case. If true, then is God contradicting the gift of free choice by taking it away from some? Check out our recent podcast, “Do We Really Have Free Choice?” for more. We wade through the complexities of having a free will and discover the profound reasons that God gave such a gift to humanity. We look at several biblical examples that appear to show God overriding someone’s choices to find out what really happened. Finally, we put the whole equation together and discover how the whole freedom of choice thing fits into God’s plan. Free will is an extraordinary privilege. Join us as we uncover its power and place in the human experience!        

The Bible is a complicated book. It is a book of many books written in several languages over more than 1,500 years by the hand of about 40 individuals. It contains history and prophecy, as well as spiritual, moral and legal guidance. Its content is relayed in the form of historical records, letters and proclamations. It contains symbolic and metaphorical language. Some teachings are in story form, some are illustrated by example, and others are expressed by way of rigid law. The Bible contains catchy phrases, exaggeration, long genealogies and profound truth. Intertwined in all of this is the word of God and the message of His divine plan of all ages for all of humanity. So, where does one start – how does one start to find a way to understand what it is saying? It’s tempting to figure that we can understand the Bible by simply reading through it. While we always advocate reading the Bible, reading it as you would a typical book will not bring deep comprehension. On the contrary, such an approach is likely to bring confusion. The Scriptures are far more than a simple story filled with plot twists. They are a collection of historical, prophetic and instructional records meant for different people at different times. What's the context? There are several Bible study methods that help dissolve some of the mysteries of its meaning. For our purposes here we will focus on just one: Context. Context has several levels, especially when we are attempting to understand a book as complex as God’s Word. First there is the context of time and place. When was the text in question written, to whom was it written and why? Knowing the people, the times and circumstances of a passage makes it come alive. The several simple context questions we can ask are a beginning step to our understanding. Context in relation to the other verses Knowing about the people and the times of Scripture opens the door for larger contextual questions. These can be more intricate but also serve a broader purpose. What about examining a Bible verse and placing it in the context of other verses that address the same specific subject? When we ask this kind of context question, we open the doors of understanding on a whole new level. Now we have a second verse and its context to help us understand our initial verse. Pursuing this method of understanding brings us into the realm of topical Bible study. This is where it gets exciting! Check out our December 6, 2021 podcast, “Are There Secrets to Studying the Bible?” for more. We lay out several practical ways to unlock the inspirational teachings of the Bible. Did you know that all Scriptures should not be applied to all times in history? Have you ever wondered what should be taken literally and what is symbolic in the Bible? And how to figure out what the symbolic words in the Bible mean? Join us as we answer these questions and more. Learn about the Bible as you never have before!

Near-death experiences  (NDEs) are common. They have been reported from cultures and religions worldwide for hundreds of years. In this near-death scenario, there is usually a dark tunnel with a warm and calming light at the end. Often there are deceased relatives waiting in that light to receive the person going through the  experience. Sometimes the person feels and sees themselves leave their body. At Christian Questions, we have always held that the Bible teaches that death is the absence of life. Could these NDEs be shedding a different light and proof on this subject? Are these experiences showing us a gateway to the supernatural, or could they in any way be physiological? One way or another, NDEs prove something. This question is, what? Millions have reported having an NDE The drama of an NDE is hard to match. There are so many millions of people who have reported them, and their reports frequently indicate a vivid sense of reality. People not only remember having the experience, they remember its details and sensations in extraordinary detail. Because these experiences are common throughout the world and across all religious borders, we need to pay attention to their message. As we acknowledge the commonality of such events, it is also important to recognize that all NDEs are not pleasant or peaceful. Some people are unfortunately terrorized and traumatized by what they report. What do NDEs tell us? Curiously, when you compare the details of these experiences, they seem to gather into categories based upon cultural or religious beliefs. One example of this is the reports that during an NDE, people see their lives panoramically flash before their eyes. While this description of a life review is extremely common in western cultures and Judeo-Christian faiths, it is entirely different in some eastern culture and religious circles. The Hindu NDE accounts may consist of having someone read the record of the dying person’s life (called the “akashic record”). In Hinduism, a traditional belief is that the reading of a person’s akashic record occurs immediately after death. This concept is widely believed by Hindus all over India. The common western culture panoramic life review does not appear in accounts from India. So, why is this significant? Check out our November 29, 2021 podcast, “Is a Near Death Experience a Glimpse of Heaven?” We address this core question regarding what an NDE is on several levels. First, we establish a scriptural basis for viewing such experiences. As this story unfolds, it really looks like we are dealing with massive contradictions. The Bible is specific about what death is, and the commonality of near-death experiences seems to indicate a fundamental difference between the two. When we open the door of medical and scientific evidence all of this changes. Join us as we combine biblical perspective with science, medicine and practical application and come up with a fascinating and harmonious conclusion! We also recommend Episode 1201: Can the Dead Communicate With Us?  

Every Christian wants to be faithful in living their life with thankfulness. One immediate question that arises is, what causes us to be thankful? What life experiences bring us to gratitude? Most of us would answer that we feel appreciativeness when things fall into place or when a hard experience yields a righteous result. These are great times to give honor to God, but what about when the opposite happens? What kind of acknowledgment do we give to God when our opportunities are cut off for no good reason? Would we be grateful if we were singled out to have our personal freedoms to spread the gospel stripped, and we were instead literally locked in our house? The Apostle Paul was. The last several years of his life were mostly spent as a prisoner of Rome. What was his secret to rejoicing? Imagine you lived at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, and you were converted to follow his gospel message. Imagine being so moved by that message you, for the next 20 years or so, travel throughout the Roman Empire preaching this gospel. The joy of the gospel provokes you to speak on street corners, in synagogues and before authorities. Through God’s love and grace, you heal the sick and debate religious philosophy. You are often falsely accused as a troublemaker and yet you never stop moving. But you never stop teaching, preaching, healing, converting. You never stop standing in public places for the name and cause of Christ. You rejoice! For 20 years, the joy of the Lord has driven you, inspired and provoked you to change thousands of lives. Suddenly your freedom is a thing of the past. You are taken prisoner and brought to Rome and confined to a rented house for two years. You are under constant guard. Now your only freedom is within the walls of that small house. Your life of adventure, fellowship and witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is over. Or is it? It is here that you are presented with a major life choice. Do you take these shackles as a sign that you had a good run? Do you see this as an ending of an era, and you have now been removed from active service? This could be an easy path to follow, but it is not the only path. You could decide that by God’s grace you are here. You could choose to bring as much gospel activity to your little house as can possibly fit. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul did. Check out our November 22,2021 podcast, “How Can I Rejoice in Trials?” for more. We break down the mindset the Apostle Paul had while in prison by examining four of the letters he wrote while bound by chains. In these letters Paul’s rejoicing in God’s providence is palpable. His clarity on teaching the most important things is inspiring. Join us as we observe the Apostle Paul rejoice in his trials, and we then follow Paul as he followed Christ!

As a Christian, we never want to be in a situation where we end up fighting against God. Yet, we may end up in this position more often than we’d expect. To fight FOR God is to stand for His principles, His Plan and His purposes as outlined in Scripture. This sounds simple, but it really isn't. We find ourselves fighting against Him when we are misinformed or misguided and we take a stand for something that is less than godly. Sometimes we mistakenly or purposefully misrepresent God’s word or focus on motivation that is less than spiritually pure. It is easy to look at our thoughts and preferences and interpret them as “God’s will” for us and then pursue them with confidence. So, how do we know if we are really on God’s side or someone else’s in these circumstances? Are we or aren't we? To determine if we are fighting against God is not as easy as you might think. Loving God does not automatically make us lifetime members of the "I fight for God Club."  This dilemma is aptly displayed in what we know about the life of the Old Testament prophet Jonah. Jonah was a mouthpiece of God.  He was chosen to bring God’s messages to the people and to bring them in line with the Creator’s righteous ways. Jonah was told by God (notice he was told, not asked) to preach to the city of Nineveh about their sinful ways. The end result was that Jonah DID preach but he did NOT want to.  Jonah fought for God in his mission but fought against God in his heart. It is sooooo subtle As odd as this sounds, this is a common challenge, as fighting against God can happen in a variety of different ways. The Bible gives us examples of the creative subtlety we as humans use to appear as spiritually-minded when we are actually going in a different direction. One example of this creative subtlety has to do with identifying and calling out legitimate issues. We can observe someone being wrong or unjust while working in God’s service. We might react to this with focus and indignation.  Perhaps we present evidence to show how it is fighting against God, and we would be right. We can and should demand change. The subtlety begins here, as the change we demand fits our personal agenda and not a higher godly agenda. We initially stood for God, only to fight against Him in our proposed solution to the problem. Check out our November 15, 2021 podcast, “Am I Fighting For or Against God?” for more. We look at several biblical examples of how we can end up fighting against God, even when we don’t mean to. Identifying when and how we fight against God is one thing, but searching out ways to prevent it is another. Join us for some very practical scriptural tactics that can help us overcome our broken, human approach to godliness. Let’s fight the right fight!

We always say that prayer changes things - and it does. Jesus was emphatic about this and even gave us an example of how to pray in what is known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” With prayer, as with so many parts of Christian doctrine, the core value of what the Bible teaches easily gets lost in the interpretive value of our own human perspective. Because of the imperfect human part of the equation we create many questions. What about those circumstances where someone prays for what they need, and they simply don’t get it? Is the problem that God is not listening or that He doesn’t want them to have what they need? Is the problem that this person not praying appropriately? How does this lifeline to God really work? Who gets such direct access to God? The first question to address has to do with accessibility. Does anyone have the ability to communicate with God at any time they desire? Should it be a general human expectation to be able to ask God for what we feel we need or for what we want? If this entitlement were true, then we would have several apparent conclusions to recognize. Our observation is that the overwhelming majority of us see their prayers as unanswered. This would then mean that God either does not hear all that well or He is completely uncaring. A quick look at the Bible confirms that neither of these conclusions is true. There are many scriptures that describe God as “with the contrite and lowly of spirit” (Isaiah 57:15) or “hearing the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29). These texts are teaching us that God is a willing listener but only in some circumstances. Righteousness and humility always come to the top of the list when understanding who God will respond to. Whenever righteousness is a qualification for anything in Scripture, we know it specifically means being right before God. While our own good standing in our worldly environment is good, it lacks the godly reverence needed for God to hear us. Who really benefits? What about those whose prayers God does hear? Do their petitions really make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others? This is a hard question to answer. The Bible does give us many examples of those who bring matters to God seeking His intervention. These examples do indicate that God is listening and responding. So if that is the case, then exactly how does this work? If our petitions to God do bring results and changes to those we are praying about, does that mean if we don’t ask then God won’t help them? Check out our November 8, 2021 podcast, “Why Aren’t My Prayers Being Answered?” for more. We dig into what the whole communicating-with-God equation is built upon and look into how the Bible says it works. This is a fascinating journey into an important, very popular and yet sorely misunderstood subject. Understanding prayer and following its scriptural guidelines is a life changer! Don’t miss it!  

It seems like wisdom has become old fashioned and obsolete. When I think of wisdom, I think of a thoughtful approach that is not driven by self-interest. I think of quiet observation that seeks to understand the people, the facts and the circumstances before weighing in with answers. When I think of wisdom, I think of my Grandma Helen. She lived a hard life and yet judged no one, always found a way to help and contribute and continually guided others towards their best and most integrity-filled path. When I think of wisdom, I think of Jesus. I think of his everyday life, his teaching, his obedience to his Father and his selflessness. When I think of wisdom, I don’t ever think of our day and our tech-driven, opinion-heavy and reaction-riddled approach. What happened? Where did we go wrong? It's very different from intelligence Intelligence implies the ability to acquire and process knowledge and to be able to take that knowledge and put it to good use. This is a wonderful characteristic to have as it provokes order and growth. While wisdom benefits from intelligence, it dives much deeper regarding the application of knowledge. It is both experience and maturity- based. Its application of what it has observed and processed can be an enormous catalyst for positive change. A good leader can be intelligent, but a great leader must be wise! Jesus displayed a level of godly wisdom in his life and ministry that was rare to say the least. We can trace at least four distinct characteristics of being wise that Jesus displayed. The first of these is understanding. Without true understanding of a circumstance or a person, being wise barely has a chance to see the light of day. The problem here is that it’s far too easy to judge what we don’t understand, and this always produces unwise conclusions. Jesus taught us in Matthew 7 to beware of such uneducated judgment regarding our brother. The consequence for such an action would be to be judged with the same harshness we doled out. Wisdom needs understanding to flourish and understanding needs wisdom to be accurate. It's rare There are several other characteristics of wisdom that make it such a sorely needed but rarely-observed commodity in our 21st-century world. Check out our November 1, 2021 podcast, “Is Anyone Listening to the Wisdom of the Bible?” for more. We examine several important scriptural examples. There is breathtaking inspiration in watching someone like King David learn it through hardship - and then live it. There is also heartbreaking sadness in watching his son, King Solomon, attain lofty wisdom only to see it drain away when his priorities became distorted. The highest and most influential wisdom can only be grasped when we center it on the highest godly principles of Scripture. Join us for an enlightening conversation about the life-changing influence wisdom can have. It will be time well-invested!    

Our shared human experience is linked by extreme grief at the loss of a loved one. COVID-19 has unexpectedly killed millions of people around the world, often with no time opportunity for meaningful closure. When a child dies, or a loved one dies tragically or simply passes away from sickness or old age, we want to know, where are they? Are they hurting? Are they okay? Our emotional devastation can cause a desperate search for assurances that they are in a good place. The urge to communicate with the dead through a medium or psychic has been around since ancient days. But have the dead found a way to communicate directly with us? Could they be reaching out to us using common things like butterflies, coins or birds? How should we handle such a tempting yet comforting idea? Spontaneous After-Death Communication An after-death communication (ADC) is a phenomenon that takes place when people have lost a loved one or someone they knew. They are having significant issues with that loss and claim the departed individual appears to and/or communicates with them in some way. This appearance is spontaneous and not a result of intentionally trying to communicate on the part of the grieving one. It usually happens in a dream or in that liminal state between sleep and wakefulness. The overwhelming majority of these visits bring the comforting message that the deceased one is okay. They assure the one suffering from the loss that they can move on. These ADCs are referred to by many as “gifts from heaven.” Induced After-Death Communication To complicate the issue, there is form of ADC called an IADC, or induced after-death communication. This type of communication only happens while undergoing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy). EMDR specifically manages very bad memories due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The results of these "visits" while undergoing EMDR therapy are strikingly similar to other ADCs. There is reassurance and peace, as well as a sense of being able to move on. Some report also feeling hugged by the deceased individual. So, what is really happening here? Are the dead really reaching out to the living with messages of comfort? This is an enormous question and answering it requires a detailed approach. Check out our October 25, 2021 podcast, “Can the Dead Communicate with Us?” for more. We carefully represent what is being reported regarding ADCs by listening to those who have researched them. One source is a psychologist who offers EMDR therapy. Several years ago, he stumbled on the ADC experience while working with a military veteran suffering from PTSD. We take the experiential input that so many have reported, paying close attention to the emotional factors of loss and grief. After considering  the medical observations and explanations regarding EMDR, we put it together against the backdrop of biblical reasoning. What we find is a thrilling and fascinating conclusion. Join us for this journey and discover some of the amazing gifts God has given us! We also recommend Episode 1206: Is a Near-Death Experience a Glimpse of Heaven?

Life can be difficult and unpredictable. It can be full of insecurity, unexpected disappointments, and events that press and overwhelm our coping skills. All of this can bring us to places that make us want to run from our reality. We instead engage in a pseudo-reality that makes us feel better - at least for the moment. Enter the pathway to potential addictive behavior. It often begins as a subtle escape, or a convenient distraction, or a thrilling experience. Destructive addictions always end in several layers of disaster. At the top of the addiction casualty list is our character, integrity, family, friends, work associates, and often our financial standing as well. What should we look for and do to avoid or remedy the destructiveness of addiction? Party City Nobody sets out in life with the goal of becoming some kind of addict. At least, that's what our guest Merrily said about her own life. Merrily is a dedicated Christian woman who painfully worked through her own addictions to drugs and alcohol many years ago. In telling her story, she shared how the road towards addiction looked more like a road to excitement and acceptance. Even though this road seemed to be continually headed towards “Party City,” it was littered with warnings and caution signs. The problem is, when you are traveling so fast you don’t have time to think about those signs along the way. A perceived need or desire Just because we are Christians we cannot relax when it comes to awareness about and protection against these kinds of things. Addictions always begin with a perceived need or desire. They are fed by compulsive behavior, which in and of itself is not always a bad thing. A compulsion can be an irresistible urge and if those urges are to righteously act in the direct service of God, then let’s go! However, we all know that such an urge is much more the exception than the rule. The bottom line is that we need to be painfully aware of the direction our compulsions are pointing us towards. As Christians, there is much we can do to identify and destroy addictive behavior. One simple and powerful key in this fight is perspective. We need to go through each action of each day remembering who we are and what we are called to. Being a disciple of Jesus is a whole mind, whole heart and whole body commitment. Anything and everything we focus our attention on must fit within that description. Check out our October 18, 2021 podcast, “Could an Addiction Block My Christian Growth?” for more. We follow Merrily’s inspirational story of being trapped by addiction, falling, bottoming out and recovery. Several scriptural principles are laid out to help us whether we are heading into trouble, in trouble or broken. We learn about the power of accountability and the transformational properties of contentment. Addiction is a serious and sometimes deadly issue. Join us for a stark look at its nature and the relief that is found in recovery!

When Jesus was being questioned by Pilate in John 18:37, he told him, Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.  Pilate’s answer was an important question because he asked, What is truth?  This brief interchange brings us to similar questions.  How do we know that we are people of the truth?  Do the groups we follow, be they centuries old denominations or newer Christian sects, hold to the “truth” Jesus spoke of? How much of what we are being taught is based on biblical truth versus denominational tradition, and how much is just plain opinion? And to pile on further, at the end of the day, does any of this even matter? Truth does matter. Jesus spoke of knowing the truth and the truth setting us free. As Christians, understanding where to find that truth is a subjective search. What denomination do you belong to? What belief system do you follow? Answering these questions will reveal what sources you go to in order to find truth. The challenge here should be evident. If you are a member of a major, centuries-old denomination and I follow an independent Christian group, our sources will be different. Does tradition bring us truth? Although the centuries-old approach has longevity on its side, its potential issues stem from that very thing. Centuries bring the comfort of tradition, and it is easy to assume that tradition is the bedrock of truth. However, if we are brave enough to examine the history of Christianity, we will see that far too many traditions have led to far too much despicable and thoroughly unchristian behavior. All done in the name of Christ. Newer, more independent-thinking Christians also have serious issues to contend with regarding truth. The primary challenge on this end is independent thinking, ideas and interpretations can easily bend the truth of the gospel to what I prefer it to read. If we’re not careful, the throwing off tradition can become a major trap of pride and personal agenda instead of a sincere search for truth. So, what do we do? We go back to the beginning. We go back to the Bible and the Bible alone. Long before there were the traditions of the churches, and long before we had to opportunity and temptation to interpret the gospel to our own liking, we had the sure word of God. We had the Old Testament in place, and we had the New Testament focusing on Jesus and being lived and written by those who knew him. Check out our October 11,2021 podcast, “Are My Christian Beliefs Based on Truth or Error?” for more. We examine the biblical record concerning the inspiration of Scripture versus the coupling of tradition and Scripture. Looking at Christian practices, we found some seem to assume more authority than the Bible allows. We also investigate women teaching in the church and how our churches are organized, all through the lens of Scripture. What we find is surprising and enlightening.

Every Christian loves Jesus and every Christian wants to be acceptable to him. None of us ever wants to take his sacrifice on our behalf for granted. We don’t want to fall into a pattern of complacency where we don’t appreciate the blessings he gives us. While these are all well-stated intentions, we need to dig in much deeper to see how to make them well-lived principles. How do we actually live our love for Jesus, and what role does passion play in that life? Where do the dangers of complacency lurk? Is all passion positive? Is feeling content really expressing a lack of appreciation for what God does for us? Fortunately, the Scriptures give us very clear answers to all of this! Are I spiritually complacent? To be complacent is to be in a self-satisfied state with little or no awareness of deficiencies or danger. This is a really easy and appealing state of mind, as it focuses on everything being just the way we want it to be. The lack of awareness issues that come with it can be easily ignored by simply smothering them with our feelings of satisfaction. Out of sight, out of mind. This is obviously a dangerous place to live if we are Christians. The very idea of self-satisfaction is in direct contradiction to our stated focus of following Jesus. The Pharisees reminded us of how blinding complacency can be. Of all the people in Israel, they had the best education and the best access to their Holy Scriptures regarding the coming of their Messiah. When Jesus arrived they rejected him, choosing to rely on their power and position instead of the prophecies in God’s Word. They were just too comfortable to see the error of their ways. That comfort caused them to lose God’s favor. Can I be too passionate? Passion is the other side of the story. Passion is a strong feeling, be it positive or negative that can drive us to action. We all have experienced our own passion. We have also seen it in others. One obvious observation that needs to be clearly stated is that all passion is not good. As a matter of fact, most of our passions tend to bring us down dark roads that often dead-end at regret. Why? Most passion is emotion-driven, and many of our emotions are self-centered and riddled with sin. So, how are we supposed to be passionate about Jesus if passion can be just as bad as complacency? Check out our October 4, 2021 podcast, “Am I Passionate or Complacent About Jesus?” to expose the pitfalls of complacency. We break down and discuss how passion works. How can we find godly and compelling motivation to put Christ-centered passion in place? Managing the passions in our lives can be just as challenging as avoiding the complacency traps that surround us. Join us for this enlightening journey towards true discipleship and true passion for Jesus!

The word “curse” is overused and under comprehended. Cursing can mean using words that are not acceptable to repeat in public. To curse can mean to call upon a perceived other-worldly power for the purpose of harming someone or something. Cursing can also mean the expression of great disdain and loathing for people or things. In Part II of our 3-part Curses Series, we observed in great detail how to properly understand cursing, especially the curses of God in the Old Testament. Today we dive into curses in the New Testament to find the differences and similarities with the Old Testament. Several people “cursed” in the New Testament, including Jesus. What does it all mean to us here and now? Are curses real today and if so, what should we do? Jesus cursed! The idea that Jesus “cursed” people or things can be a disturbing one.  To understand what is meant by this, it is important to focus on the usual areas of concern, definitions and context.  The Jesus uses when he talks about curses is a convincing one. It means to “execrate” (to have great loathing for) by analogy, to doom. It comes from two Greek words that include a sense of calling down harm upon someone or something. In the pagan Greek and Roman culture of Jesus’ day, this word would carry a sense of gods and magic being involved. In Jesus’ case, it had everything to do with God’s will and God’s judgments. What about that fig tree? The day after Palm Sunday when Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, he saw a fig tree and proclaimed it to become fruitless from that day forward. The following morning the tree was withered. Jesus, by the power of God’s spirit, “cursed” this tree to dramatically show that Israel (symbolically represented by the fig tree) would lose their favor with God, as they would reject and crucify Jesus. There are several other times Jesus uses this specific Greek word for curse. The Apostle Paul also wrote several times about curses. He referenced Israel and the “curse of the Law,” as well as referencing curses regarding Christians who misrepresent or walk away from the gospel. What did he mean? Check out our September 27, 2021 podcast, “Can Christians be Cursed and Curse Others?” Curses Series (Part III) for more. We carefully categorize which words for curse mean what so that we can understand the messages behind them. Also, we get practical for today’s world. Directly confronting the idea of curses existing today, we lay out what that means for Christians. This is tougher than you might think, because there are many scary and erroneous views that have influence in Christian culture. Can Christians be cursed?  Do Christians have the authority to curse others? These important questions can only be answered by comprehensively understanding what the Scriptures really teach. Join us as we uncover the Bible’s truth on curses in the New Testament and what we as Christians need to know and do today!  

Our God is a God of order. Psalm 89:14 says that righteousness and justice are the very foundation of His heavenly throne. This means that all He does must be based in what is right and just. While some of us may look at this through fearful eyes, this is actually great news. It means God is and always will be dependable and trustworthy. If this is the case, why did God seem so over-the-top angry in the Old Testament? Why did He seemingly curse not only wrongdoers, but the generations that followed them as well? Did these “curses” of God work the same way the curses of our day are said to work? Were they a wishing of evil upon someone or something? Did God give anyone the authority to curse others? The idea of a generational curse can be daunting From the sound of it, somebody does something deemed bad or evil and the response to that action is to strike their children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and so on with some dark and even sinister retaliation. Such treatment reeks of injustice, revenge and nastiness. The problem here is that in the Old Testament, God has pronounced generational consequences, but they are often interpreted as generational curses. There is a massive difference between the two. Such a gross misinterpretation of Scripture results in a serious misunderstanding of God’s character. How do we know this is the case? How do we know God isn’t cursing generations of people for what they didn’t do? It all comes down to understanding what curses mean in the Bible, beginning in the Old Testament. This is no easy task. In the Old Testament alone there are over a dozen words that are translated “curse.” To really know what the Jewish Scriptures teach, we need to gain a comprehensive understanding of who cursed what, to what end result and what it really meant. The first curse The best place to start this investigation into Old Testament biblical curses is at the beginning. The first curse pertaining to humanity was when God pronounced the curse upon the ground for Adam’s sake. While this was a serious consequence, it is also critical to remember that this curse was proclaimed within the context of God’s previous blessing. The key thought here is that God was proclaiming a consequence for sinful actions and not “cursing” Adam in the sense that pagan beliefs would have us believe. Check out our September 20, 2021 podcast, “Am I Living Under a Generational Curse? Curses Series (Part II)” for more. We examine several different accounts of God’s “curses” in the Old Testament and see exactly what they were intended to accomplish. Putting all of this in order ends up being a fascinating journey of discovery. We learn the thinking behind God’s procedures and consequences. We uncover a level of wisdom and justice on the part of Jehovah God that rises high above the typical idea of revenge that people say God has. Join us; there is much more to this than meets the eye. Did you miss Part I? We laid a lot of groundwork worth exploring.  

The history and cultures of our world have brought us to where we are today. Many various cultures have fueled wonderful traditions, solid communities and exemplary progress. But many cultures have also brought us darkness, superstitions and strong desire to harm those they see as enemies. Enter the worldwide phenomena of curses. To quote from Wikipedia, “A curse is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to one or more persons, a place, or an object.” We find the existence of curses all through human history and across a multitude of cultures. So, where do curses come from? Are they real? Should we be afraid of being cursed? Does God curse people? As we think about curses and their dark intentions, it may come as a surprise to realize that God was the one to introduce curses to humanity. Now, don’t jump to conclusions here! All the talk about curses today is centered on the idea of purposefully wishing someone to be harmed. God NEVER has or will He ever wish harm on anyone. This might sound like a contradiction. How can God “cursing” someone or something be different in intention than what everyone else thinks? It all comes down to the meaning of the words for “curse” we use now and the words used back in ancient times. When Adam and Eve sinned, God came before them to proclaim consequences. God “cursed” Satan and also “cursed” the ground, for Adam’s sake. The word for curse in both cases means “to execrate.” Great - what does that mean? Execrate means “to feel or express great loathing for.” A major factor in God pronouncing the consequences for the Garden of Eden sins was Him expressing His deep disdain for the sins committed. These “curses” from God were not wishes for harm to come. They were expressions of the harmful consequences of sinful actions taken. Am I cursed? So, what does this mean for the curses we might be afraid of today? Are they real? If we feel we may be cursed, are we under a spell or the power of some mystical force? The short answer to this complex question is no. We believe our perceptions of these circumstances have far greater influence than what might be true. We draw this conclusion because we believe the Bible, science, psychology and biology overwhelmingly support it. Check out our September 13, 2021 podcast, “Are Curses Real? Curses Series (Part I)” for more. We touch on some historical examples of curses in the world. Then we examine how feeling you are in control or out of control of your future weighs in feelings of being cursed. We look at the Placebo Effect and the Nocebo Effect. And do you know how our character traits affect our acceptance of curses being real? We even visit the genetics of inherited reactions to stimuli. In all of this, we cite specific scriptural guidance to help us cope with our fears. Anxiety over curses is real, but don’t let that anxiety keep you from finding the faith and courage to overcome! In Part II, we specifically deal with the idea of generational curses handed down to us through our ancestors.

Christianity waits for the return of Jesus. Depending on your doctrinal beliefs, you may be looking for his return to bring incredible drama and life changing moments – things like earthquakes , destruction, anarchy and a rapture. While we can see scriptural evidence to support SOME of these things, we want to be careful about just viewing his return through dramatic and traumatic events. The Bible gives us several prophesies that indicate many details about the method of Jesus' return. These details point to his return being revealed in a much more subtle and unnoticeable way. How can he return in a covert manner and yet “every eye shall see him”? Isn’t this a blatant contradiction? Let’s look at the Scriptures and see how the harmony of these things shines through! A mysterious return There are many scriptures that show us Jesus’ return would be a mystery. Forty days after his resurrection, on the day of his ascension, he told his disciples the timing of the restoration of Israel was beyond their knowledge. It would remain a mystery to them. We know that Israel’s restoration would be as a result of Jesus’ return, as he told us that in the Parable of the Fig Tree in Matthew 24:32-33. A few verses later in verse 36,  Jesus said no one would know when he was coming. The Apostle Paul confirmed this by describing Jesus’ returning in the same covert manner as how a thief in the night arrives. All of this adds up to no one knowing he had returned until he was already present. So will all see him or not? How do these conclusions square with the drama of other scriptures surrounding his return? What about “descending from heaven with a shout”? And seeing him “coming in the clouds”? What about “every eye shall see him”? Are we saying that the sensational events the Christian world wait for are not real? NO. We are saying there is much more to the return of Jesus than most of us take the time to consider. It is inspiring to know all of these things can and do harmonize. To unlock this scriptural harmony, we need to view the return of Jesus as a process - not just a series of breathtaking events on a single day. Interestingly, Jesus himself specifically described his return as a process. The problem is that his explanation is a bit veiled due to the questionable translation of a few key words. Check out our September 6, 2021 podcast, “Could Jesus Return Without You Knowing?” for more. We carefully examine the translation issues that veil the clarity of some key scriptures. We sort out the several manifestations of and events relating to Jesus’ return. Then we put things in a logical scriptural order to see how his return sequentially unfolds. All of this adds up to a deep and inspiring look at how much the Bible reveals about Jesus coming back. Join us and see if this all makes sense to you. It could change your life!  

So, what does it mean to be a Christian, and how do I know if I am doing it right? What happens if I am doing it wrong? Is there a clear-cut standard? Will Jesus be disappointed in me if I fall short? Am I expected to change who I am, or develop who I am? Is my life supposed to be about everyone else, or do I just need to really love Jesus? Am I in line to get everything I want, or do I have to give everything up? How often do I have to go to church? Should I pursue a career? Do I have to study the Bible all the time? While defining success or failure as a Christian is not an exact science, it is a vitally important understanding to have. As we address these questions, our objective will be to find the biblical answers that can guide us to living our daily lives in accordance with God’s will and word through Jesus. What are we measuring against? To measure success or failure as a Christian, we need to understand the beginning basis of being a Christian. Jesus himself said in John 6:44 that nobody comes to him unless the Father first draws that person. Jesus also warned those who would follow him of the hardships they would face. He talked bluntly about "carrying your own cross." In those days, this would have been a horrifying image of pain and suffering. He also spoke clearly about counting the cost of a Christian lifestyle. These plain statements by Jesus simply tell us that discipleship begins with God drawing us. It continues with us answering that call with an eyes-wide-open weighing of its cost. Now we have to live as a disciple This is hard to do, as it touches on every aspect of our lives. So how do we measure success or failure here? Perhaps the first of many questions we need to ask ourselves is, how serious am I about being Jesus’ disciple? Measuring our seriousness can be done by observing our outward lifestyle and actions. What does who I spend time with and what I do with my time and resources say about me? The Bible gives us several markers along these lines. Our succeeding or failing as a Christian can be revealed by comparing these biblical standards with our lifestyle. Do you like what these comparative results show you? Many of us will not be happy with what we see. Does this mean we are failing as Christians? Check out our August 30, 2021 podcast, “Am I Failing as a Christian?” for more. We delve deeply into these hard comparisons and several others as well. Most importantly, we open the door to working on where we fall short. Just because we may have lived a substandard Christian life yesterday does not mean we have to settle for it today. Join us and build an understanding of what discipleship really means so we can all clearly focus on “walking the walk” of Jesus and not just “talking the talk.”

Never in the history of humanity have we had such a profound ability to communicate with others. From the palm of our hand, we can see and speak with individuals and groups all over the world at anytime of day or night. We can message, share and “like” in countless ways.  Yet, never in the history of humanity have we been so disassociated, disconnected and dysfunctional.  We are more polarized, more self-centered and more alone than we ever have been.  So, how did we get here and how do we fix it?  How do we find our way through this technology-driven world and actually connect with others? As Christians especially, what do we need to do to be connected with those around us in a way that can bless and encourage them? What does "communicate" mean biblically? Let’s begin by figuring out what it means to communicate. In the New Testament, the words translated into our English "communicate" are very different than we might expect. Their meaning has to do with much more than talking and much more than being able to make a point. They have to do with giving, usually in relation to supporting others who are in a disadvantaged state. When the brotherhood stepped up and supported those in need, it is spoken of as a sacrifice that is pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:16). We therefore see Christian communication as actively reaching out into another’s life by words or actions to build them up. How did Jesus communicate? To learn to be effective communicators, we first look to the example of Jesus. What we find is a clear “how to” template to model our communication efforts. Jesus knew how to tell stories, ask questions and was able to reach out and heal diseases by God’s power. He also communicated through words and actions with laser-like focus. While we cannot do the miracles he did, we can communicate with the intention of being a positive and healing presence in the lives of others. While Jesus is our best example, it is important to realize that strong communication is a very customizable process. Because we are all different in relation to our temperaments, experiences and perspectives, we need to be flexible in our approach. The Apostle Paul was a striking model of this flexible approach. While out preaching the gospel in Athens he came across a harsh reality. As he responded, he showed us how to take what could have been a volatile experience and turn it into a positive one. What are the details? Learn the Communication Effectiveness Traits Check out our August 23, 2021, podcast, “How Can I Effectively Reach Out and Connect with Others?” for more. We introduce several Communication Effectiveness Traits that can seriously help us along the way. We outline Paul’s mastery of many of these traits as he dealt with what could have been a hostile audience. Effective communication is a result of many important tools being used together. Join us and fill your toolbox with these vital instruments. Everyone benefits!

To live a life as a disciple of Christ is to live a life of discipline and focus. We are walking in Jesus’ footsteps, and that means there are many things we need to do. After all, by his teachings and examples, Jesus wrote the book of our faith. So, what did Jesus expect from his followers regarding his gospel and a world full of unbelievers? When he ascended to heaven and gave us what is known as the Great Commission, what was he instructing? Are we responsible to get the good news of the gospel message out? Or are we responsible to get all the unbelievers in? If we are not sure of what he was instructing, how can we know if we are doing a good job? Jesus’ Great Commission to his followers contained several directives After revealing that the restoration of Israel as a nation under God was some time in the future, he listed them: First was a reminder that God’s spirit would come upon them. This would give them power and direction to do God’s will beyond anything they ever knew. Next was the instruction to be witnesses for him, beginning in Jerusalem, through Israel, to neighboring lands and all the earth. This showed the small beginnings and the expansive nature that their witness efforts were to follow. They had to begin in Jerusalem because that is where the spirit would begin to guide them.The next directive Jesus gave tends to be somewhat misrepresented. He told them he had been given all authority, and they were to therefore, “...make disciples of  all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the son and the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Many Christians look at this as a command to go out and convert the world, but that is not what it says. Jesus is telling his followers to find disciples from within all those nations in which they are preaching the gospel. There is a significant difference between these two interpretations. The first essentially says you need to convert the world, while the second says you need to preach throughout the world and convert as you go. We are saying it is NOT Christianity’s responsibility to convert the world to Christ now. While this conclusion may seem radical, it does have wide scriptural support. Notwithstanding, it also creates many large-scale questions as well. Do people not need to hear the gospel in order to be saved? What about the teaching of an eternal hell? Check out our August 16, 2021 podcast, “Are Christians Supposed to Convert the World?” for more. We further examine the details of this Great Commission. We also delve into several other New Testament teachings that support the concept of not having to convert the world now. The sound biblical evidence we find directs us to a broader and inspiring understanding of the power of Jesus and the gospel. Join us for this unforgettable journey!  

Forgiveness is a tough thing. The times we need to forgive are usually the times we are in no mood to forgive. It can be easy to say, “I forgive you,” but are those words reflected in my thoughts, emotions and actions? Do I say those words out of mere obligation or to just end an uncomfortable exchange? What does it mean to forgive someone anyway? Does my forgiving someone who wronged me release them from the consequences of the wrong? Is it supposed to make life go on as if the wrong never happened? Am I still obligated to forgive if the person who wronged me doesn’t care about being forgiven? So many questions that can only be answered by understanding how the Bible defines forgiveness. What does it really mean? To “forgive” can mean several different things, even in the Bible.  The most dramatic biblical definition of forgiveness is that of granting freedom or a pardon.  Someone has broken a law and they are legally pardoned. This means they are no longer liable to the consequences of their crime and they can walk free. In the New Testament, this particular word for forgiveness is only and appropriately applied to Jesus’ sacrifice. Adam sinned and we are all born into that sin and live lives guilty of that inherited sin. Jesus came and gave his perfect life in exchange for Adam’s and made a pardon available to us through that gift. In Scripture, when we “forgive” others, we are not pardoning anything. Another word for "forgive" in the New Testament has to do with sending something away from you. While the meaning here is not as dramatic as freedom or pardoning, it is still a formidable task. Think about an experience you have had where someone wronged you. Think about the physical pain, or the trauma, or the emotional upset, or the ripple effects they caused. Now imagine yourself pushing those things away from you so they are no longer relevant. Go ahead, close the door on them! This little exercise probably didn’t get you very far, did it. Why? Forgiveness is hard, that’s why. To forgive - to truly send the unrest someone’s wrong has caused you away - takes more than an impulse or a thought. It requires a serious commitment to living a forgiving life. Jesus showed us how difficult a forgiving life can be when Peter asked him if forgiving his brother seven times in a day was enough. His answer was no, forgive seventy times seven! I hope you are not counting! Check out our August 9,2021 podcast, “Did I Really Forgive Them?” for more.  Jesus told us we need to be forgiving in order to be his followers. We isolate the meaning and challenges of truly forgiving someone. We walk through the steps and thinking needed to be forgiving. Finally, we focus in on the benefits of such a decision. Join us as we tackle what can be a difficult but profoundly positive and life-changing experience. This is absolutely a journey worth taking!  

As Christians, we are constantly faced with the challenge of doing the right thing in a sinful world. We are bombarded with input and suggestions that can easily cloud the simplicity of what the right thing is. Once we get the right thing in focus, the next challenge is to do that right thing the right way. Often, the right way is NOT our natural or preferred approach. The problem? Our handling of what is right in God’s eyes is ALWAYS subject to Satan’s attacks. These attacks can come from external forces, but often his most destructive attacks come from our own fallen thinking and desires. Essentially, Satan can effectively lay siege to our spiritual lives by opening doors to try and accomplish spiritually right things in a humanly sinful way. We need a battle plan to defend against Satan! Beware the siege! In the ancient days of Scripture, laying siege to a city was a long-term conquering strategy against those who lived inside the city walls. This was a loathsome way to be attacked, as it induced isolation and fear. Starvation and loss of life were also expected outcomes from a siege, and not just for those inside the walls. Add in the ramps, tunnels and catapults and you have the makings of what could be a years-long military entanglement. None of this was good. In an obscure Old Testament account, the peaceful and faithful Jewish city of Abel was besieged by Joab, commander of King David’s own army. The king commanded him to chase down a treasonous man who ended up hiding in the city of Abel. This ill-advised siege was set to produce untold damage destruction and death upon countless innocent people. Had it not been for an unnamed and wise woman stepping in, this story would have ended in tragedy. So, what does all of this have to do with defending against Satan’s attacks? Plenty! Check out our August 2, 2021 podcast, “What’s My Battle Plan to Defend Against Satan’s Attacks?” for details. We look at this amazing true story and put its profound lessons into an allegory format. What if the main characters and the city in this account could represent our own personal struggles to be faithful to our Christian calling? What if there was a message here for us regarding the quiet yet potent power of God’s spirit in our lives? Beware attacks from  Satan! As Christians, we are always striving to be on the side of righteousness in God’s service. While the desire to serve and protect our spiritual calling is vital, it is even more vital to observe how we do this. We often talk about the importance of doing the right things. Unfortunately, we less often focus on doing those right things the right way. Satan is a formidable foe and he WILL use our own self-will and ego to undermine our focus on living a sacrificial Christian life. Join us for this unique story and learn to defend against pursuing God’s will our own way.  

The call of Christianity is unique. It is a call to sacrifice and humility, a call to the subduing of one’s own will in favor of God’s will. While there are many noble purposes in this world and many humble and dedicated people, a Christian is called to the ultimate purpose of eventually reconciling the world back to God. Even more unique than that, Christians are called to become a "new creation," based on the indwelling of the holy spirit. This is a grace-based privilege and something we need to have a clear understanding of, as well as the deepest respect for. Why does God’s holy spirit dwell within His chosen ones? What does it do for us, and more importantly, what doesn’t it do for us? God’s spirit is of paramount importance in Scripture and is revealed in the Bible’s second verse as the power that drove creation. As we progress through the Bible, two things become clear: God's power appears often The way it functions definitely changes as the Bible and God’s plan progress. This is an important factor in determining how the holy spirit works now in our day. Trace how God's power functions in human beings - How has it changed over time? God’s spirit is directly spoken about in relation to people once in Genesis and once in Exodus.  The first is Joseph when Pharaoh - of all people - remarks that God’s spirit must be in him. Joseph had just miraculously interpreted a forgotten dream of Pharaoh’s. In Exodus, a craftsman named Bezalel is plainly proclaimed by God to have His spirit. God’s purpose in this was for Bezalel to craft furniture artwork and embroidery for the Tabernacle. These two examples give us a good insight into how God’s spirit affected humans in the early days. God’s power was essentially loaned to those who needed to do very specific things for Him. Once Jesus comes on the scene, the role of God’s power working in humanity changes dramatically. The fact that the spirit rested upon Jesus in the form of a dove just scratches the surface regarding the spirit’s role. Jesus was filled with the spirit. He taught, he reasoned, he healed and he raised people from the dead because the power of God dwelt within him. Interestingly, the apostles also had similar experiences as a result of the spirit dwelling in them. Does this mean we should be having the same experiences? Check out our July 26, 2021 podcast, “Do We Have the Purpose of the Holy Spirit Backwards?” for more. We follow the patterns laid out by the Scriptures to show us what God expects of us in these End Times. We also observe what the Bible reveals we should expect from God’s spirit. The fascinating thing is, the biblical answers may be surprising. Join us and see!

What are we supposed to do?  What do we do when we have done something - either on purpose or by accident - that causes someone excessive harm or loss, or even tragedy? How do we go on, how do we face our family or those we have hurt? How do we live with ourselves? Crushing guilt can bring us into a place of dark and misery-ridden hopelessness. It can make our life feel joyless and pointless. The good news? As Christians, we have access to God through Jesus. While they won’t miraculously lift us out of the mire of crushing guilt, they will, if we let them, give us direction, strength and hope. We just need to be willing to do the necessary work in faith. So, how do we get there from here? We’ll start with the story of someone who has been here and is now walking this difficult road to acceptance. A car accident changed everything Jennifer has been married for almost 20 years and is a mom of four. About five years ago, the trajectory of her life changed when she was in a car accident that took the life of another. Though not criminally negligent, Jennifer did cause the accident. She now must live with the reality of someone’s death happening as a result of something she did. Jennifer is intimately familiar with the overwhelming consequences of crushing guilt. The first thing we need to know is that we cannot take the consequences of our guilt away. We can try and ignore them.  We can pay them lip service. Or we can even try and redirect the blame for the wrong done away from us. Yes, we can do all these things, but inevitably none of them will help us alleviate our guilt. The only way to productively and decisively manage crushing guilt is to work through it. We need to face it in all of its misery, confusion and hopelessness so we can sort it out. Her painful story This is by no means an easy or even a welcome task. On the contrary, the time and effort needed can be daunting. But there is good news! Not only do we have biblical guidance as to how to navigate through this mess, we also have Jennifer and other real current-day examples to help us through. Check out our July 19, 2021 podcast, “How can We Overcome Crushing Guilt?” for more. We listen to Jennifer unfold her journey beginning with the trauma of the accident. She walks us through the stages of growth that brought her to a point of healthy and godly acceptance. As a backdrop for her story, we look at two Psalms of David written about a specific tragic event in his life. One Psalm tells the story of plowing through the guilt, and the other tells the story of what the victory over guilt looks like. We can overcome the crushing guilt in our lives. Further, we can also learn to pass on the value of our learning experience to others. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock hope!  

People believe in the Bible to varying degrees. Some of us see it as the unerring word of God while others see it as an account of history, wisdom and standards. Still others see it as sprinkled with both wisdom and folly. Then we have those who see no value in it at all. For the most part, one of the common threads that all who know something about the Bible seem to share is the belief that it speaks of God’s wrath and apocalyptic events. While these are true perceptions of the Bible, they are by no means a complete picture. How can we know what the "End Times” are and when they start? What kinds of things happen during these times? Is there any tangible proof of the End Times that can establish the credibility of Bible prophecy to the skeptic? Where do we start with all of this? We live in the End Times We know this because of prophecies from the Bible. Now, many would say that Bible prophecy can be easily misinterpreted. It does often speak in symbolic terms about some nebulous future time and proclaims some event that is hard to understand. So, we can see where such skepticism comes from.  Yet, we know that Bible prophecy is sound. What if there were some prophecies that were able to be understood because the facts of our day support them? What if these prophecies could be accepted not because they are from the Bible, but because they are obvious and in plain sight? There are such prophecies! In the 12th chapter of Daniel, he is prophesying about the End Times.  We all know that according to the Bible, the End Times are a time of significant change. Daniel’s prophecy includes the statement that humanity will be “running to and fro and knowledge will be increased.” These ideas can be perceived as over-generalized conjecture until we look at the facts. In his book Critical Path, (1982) Buckminster Fuller coined the phrase “Knowledge Doubling Curve.” He reported that worldwide knowledge was thought to have doubled once every century until 1900. By the end of World War II, it was thought to be doubling every 25 years. Now it is thought to double every 13 months! Surely, anyone viewing these facts must admit we live in a unique time of increasing knowledge never before experienced! As dramatic as this factual confirmation of prophecy is, there is even stronger and more compelling evidence that biblically proves where we are in the stream of time. Check out our July 12, 2021 podcast, “Are We Living in the 'End Times'?" for more. We lay out numerous details of the Daniel 12 prophecy already mentioned. We carefully examine another crystal clear and often-repeated biblical prophecy that points to the present time as well. Ours is a remarkable time in history as we witness Bible prophecy unfolding. Join us and see for yourself what historical specifics we should know about and what current events we should be watching.

Jesus changed the world when he came to earth as a man over 2.000 years ago. His character, teaching, miracles and wisdom were and still are unmatched anywhere and anytime. As impactful as his first coming to earth was, he was very specific to let his followers know he would be returning again. Many who look at the prophecies of the second coming see them as foretelling a time of calamity and trouble. While these expectations do carry elements of truth, is the return of Jesus to earth for the purpose of mayhem and destruction? We believe the answer to this question to be an unequivocal no! Further, we believe the reasons for his return are wrapped up in the carrying out of God’s loving plan for all humanity. The plan of God Every Christian will tell you that God has a plan and Jesus is the centerpiece of that plan. Yet, most of us look at Jesus’ return to earth as a wholesale destruction of those who did not accept him as their savior. Let’s evaluate this for a minute. Jesus’ first coming was to save the world. He offered his life as payment for sin. Since then, MOST of the world has not heard of Jesus, and therefore have no path to salvation. So, his coming to save the world was a failure for most of humanity. Does this sound right?  Further, many of us see his second coming as the final destruction for that mostly-failed first coming. There is obviously something very wrong with this approach. Is the presence of Jesus in both timeframes two parts of the same mission? What if we look at both advents on earth as two parts of the same mission? What if we looked more deeply into the Scriptures and found that everything Jesus did 2,000 years ago was connected to his return in our day? Let’s consider just one “what if” example. Jesus paid the price for Adam’s sin when he came the first time. Romans 5:18 clearly states that all humanity suffered the condemnation of Adam’s sin. They would, therefore, ALL be given justification because of Jesus’ sacrifice. What if Jesus’ second presence was for the purpose of applying that justification to all those who are not his called-out ones? What if the trouble that accompanies Jesus’ return was to destroy the satanic influences in the world - and not the people? Whether this approach sounds intriguing or outrageous to you, please check out our July 5th, 2021 podcast, “What Are the True Reasons for Jesus’ Return?” for more. We look at several specifics of the mission of Jesus from two centuries ago. We examine: the price he paid the healing he did the salvation he offered to Israel the calling out of a people for his name We trace how the Bible shows us each part of his ministry - as a precursor of or a preparation for - his return. Seeing Jesus’ second advent in this scriptural light changes everything. Join us and watch as God’s plan for all humanity unfolds!  

The world has changed dramatically! We now live in a time where diverse opinions and beliefs are coming under fire if they conflict with what is deemed as acceptable “social narrative.” In more and more circles, traditional Christian values of God first, fidelity in marriage, morality based on absolutes and mutual respect are under attack. We face the potential of being seen as “haters” because we stand for things the world does not like. While being seen as contrary to the world’s perspective is nothing new, the potential for being cancelled is. The momentum and ferocity that our current “cancel culture” has garnered is becoming frightening. Is Christianity destined for cancellation? How should we as Christians be responding? Should we be speaking out or flying under the radar? Should we be fighting fire with fire? What is it? According to an explanation from gotquestions.org, cancel culture is the modern social attitude that controversial speech or behavior must be punished through public shaming, silencing, boycotting, firing, bankrupting, de-platforming, etc. The result is that the offender’s influence, presence, and/or reputation is “cancelled out.” The idea that “controversial speech or behavior” must be punished, begs for clarification. There is no law breaking implied, only a different way of viewing or responding to some issues deemed to be sensitive. Think about how Jesus spoke against the Pharisees because they had perverted the Law of God. He was right to make them uncomfortable with his words and actions. Because they were the ones in power their version of punishing him was to have him crucified. They cancelled Jesus, so they thought, but his resurrection and the establishment of Christianity proved otherwise. Our present cancel culture has not yet resorted to murdering those whose speech or behavior is controversial.  We have resorted to damaging them in in a wide variety of ways which include financial and social ruin. What are we doing? How can we claim to be so sensitive and inclusive while being so reckless and unjust with those who see things differently? What is the Christian's responsibility in these matters? Are we to fight cancelling with cancelling by hitting those who would cancel back with the same self-centered and emotional reactions? Of course not. Should we just pretend that none of this is happening unless we are forced to deal with it in our own personal experience? No. Should we call it out and make a scene to garner support to stop it? Be careful. Check out our June 28, 2021 podcast, “Is Christianity Being Cancelled?” for more. We walk through real cancel culture examples and look at what our Christian responsibility and focus should be with each.  We discuss the profoundly important question regarding whether or not Christianity itself is in danger of being cancelled. But most importantly, we ask the “what about me” questions. What should I do, how should I prepare and what should I expect? Cancel culture is real. Learn how to stand up to it as a disciple of Christ.

To “challenge” Jesus and succeed is not something you hear about every day, so let’s clarify what we are talking about. Jesus was a speaker of God’s word and a doer of God’s will. Inevitably, challenging this would be a futile effort. When we say “challenge” we mean not following an expected pattern. There were a few instances in the ministry of Jesus where someone did not exactly follow Jesus’ set patterns regarding healing and they were blessed anyway. On this episode, we investigate another unnamed woman of the Bible. The Syrophoenician woman spoken of in Matthew 15 and Mark 7 was one of these people. This unnamed Gentile woman did not accept a seeming denial from Jesus when she asked for her daughter to be healed. Jesus complied with her insistence and she was blessed.  What was her secret and what can we learn? Jesus was her only hope Jesus had ventured into the non-Jewish territory of Tyre and Sidon to rest. After he entered a house in which to find that rest, a loud and emotional woman showed up, begging and yelling to see Jesus. Her daughter was demon-possessed and she was at her wits end. She knew Jesus unexpectedly coming to her hometown was the one chance she had to rid her child of this evil experience. She wasted no time and expended all of her desperate energy to get his attention.  He just had to help! But it wasn't the time for the Gentiles There was a significant challenge that stood between this woman’s pleading desire and her daughter being healed. They were Gentiles. Jesus came to be the Messiah of the Jewish nation. He came to fulfill the Jewish Law and be the deliverer of the Jewish people. The woman and her daughter were not scheduled to receive the Messiah’s blessings just yet. So, what happens next? Several things of great impact. The woman does get to talk to Jesus and he does heal her daughter, though it was not a simple path to get to that resolution. Who is the real hero in this exchange? That depends on who you talk to  We believe the woman showed heroic faith in Jesus, and he rewarded it with heroic and miraculous healing. Some say it is just the woman who was the hero because she “straightened Jesus out.” They say that Jesus showed bias against her, even racism. Who is right? Was Jesus bigoted in his approach to her? Why would anyone even say such a thing? Check out our June 21, 2021 podcast, “Who Successfully Challenged Jesus?” for answers. We look at the entire account in its context. Then we follow this woman’s hysterical introduction and observe how she responded to Jesus with extraordinary faith and conviction. We learn why Jesus said the things he said to her. This is much more than a story of somebody being healed by Jesus. It is a practical lesson that teaches us how to take our own raw desperation before our Lord to find the answers and comfort we seek.    

The Bible is full of inspirational accounts of such female heroes of faith like Abigail, Mary and Esther. It also gives us the cautionary tales of the infamous like Jezebel and Delilah. But there is a class of special women in the Bible – both virtuous and sinful – whose stories are told without mentioning their name. Often they are associated with well-known men who are named, yet they themselves remain anonymous. Who were these women and what do their experiences mean to us? Today’s focus will be on one of those infamous yet unnamed women, the wife of Potiphar. Her role in Scripture is primarily defined as the seductress who pursued Joseph when he was a slave in her household. While there was nothing honorable in her actions, there are significant lessons we can learn from them. Seduction Joseph was a strong, brilliant and very handsome young man in his 20's when he was a slave in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar was an influential officer of Egypt. He recognized Joseph’s work ethic and ability, so he placed him into his highest trust. Joseph became the overseer of the entire household. Potiphar’s wife also noticed Joseph, and she wanted him as her lover. When her proposition was plainly rejected by Joseph, she began to seduce him.  Day after day she attempted to entice him to be with her, and day after day Joseph resisted. Sound familiar? Fast forward to our day and this game of seduction Potiphar’s wife was playing sounds all too familiar. Because we are overtly loose with our sexuality and because we are so infatuated with ourselves, seducing someone into giving us want we want is commonplace and easy. Why shouldn’t we be able to have this thing, or that success, or that specific person? I deserve it! When it comes to being with that desirable one, I can make them want me as well. Do I do this? As Christians, where do we fit into all this? Is it ever appropriate to use any form of seduction to get what we want? The short answer to this lies in the basic definition of seduction, which has to do with disloyalty, leading astray and false promises. Clearly, none of these descriptions aptly fit a true Christian character. It has been said “the devil is in the details,” and that is painfully true when it comes to really understanding how seduction actually works. Check out our June 14, 2021 podcast, “Can I Get What I Want Through Seduction?” for more. We lay out “The 11 Deceptive Tactics of Seduction” as detailed in an article by Peter Krol. These tactics range from manipulating the very subtle nuances of life to brash and overt advances. They include commandeering some of the simple and seemingly harmless things in life. Things like food and spiritually-based activities can become tools of ungodly desire and passion. Seduction can be subtle as easily as it can be overt. In every case it is scary. Join us to be forewarned and forearmed!

We all make judgments, even when we are not thinking about it. If you are listening to this podcast, you are right now deciding whether to keep listening. If you are reading this blog, you are right now considering whether or not to continue reading. This verifies that judging is an important exercise, for it helps us determine what is worth our time and what is not. For the record, I believe you will find this podcast a worthy investment of your time, so do stay with us! Now, what about judging others? Ah, this is a little trickier. The Bible actually tells us emphatically NOT to judge others and with the same passion it tells us TO judge others. Why the seeming doublespeak? It all comes down to two things. Obviously the “what” of our judgment is important. But more importantly, we need to be aware of the “why” of our judgments. Judge not...? While teaching the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus famously said in Matthew 7:1: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” Many read this as a blanket command from Jesus to never judge others. This is not remotely close to the meaning of the instruction of Jesus.  First, we need to realize there are no less than seven different words for "judgment" in the New Testament. The meanings of these words range from merely scrutinizing a person or situation to the finality of a pronounced judgment. The New Testament uses these various words to show us different levels of judgment, as well as when to and when not to judge others. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 had everything to do with the damage that comes from arbitrary judgment. This damage is common and happens when we measure someone’s character or actions by using our own feelings and bias rather than facts. To paraphrase, Jesus was saying: "Who do you think you are, going about judging others when your own faults are so painfully obvious?" He further tells us that we are liable to harsher judgment from God when we dish it out to others. Does this mean we should never reach out to help someone when we observe their faults? Isn’t being helpful the "Christian" thing to do?  Yes, but it MUST be done in a Christian manner! This is where the challenges of appropriate judgment begin to be understood. Mutual judgment is an appropriate and valuable exercise, but it has clearly defined boundaries as well. If - what - why Check out our June 7, 2021 podcast, “Is It Ever Right to Judge Your Brother?” for more. We lay out the meaning of several New Testament words for "judgment." We examine the character guidelines that help us determine if we should personally be in a position to judge. We look at several biblical examples of what circumstances require us to apply Christian judgment.  Finally, we seek to understand the why of these judgments. Judgment is tricky.  There are times it needs to be done and there are many times when I should NOT be the one doing it!

Life can be difficult. We are surrounded with issues, events, opinions, politics and posts that continuously bring us stress and strain. As if this isn’t enough, we add to the frenzy by putting up self-designed roadblocks to block our own way! Why would we do that? Why would we make things harder for ourselves? Turns out that this is a common thing.  The imperfect human mind can create all kinds of coping mechanisms that keep us from dealing with perceived trouble. While this sounds good, the problem is that our avoidance of perceived trouble often leads us directly into the path of real trouble. Essentially, we can at times become our own worst enemy. The bad news is we easily and often sabotage ourselves. The good news is, because we do this to ourselves we can also learn how to change that behavior. Automatic Thoughts and Distortions In a book entitled The Self-Esteem Workbook, by Glen R. Schiraldi, PhD, we found the self-damaging thought processes we often cling to are called “Automatic Thoughts and Distortions.” “Making Feelings Facts," “Rejecting the Positive” and “Catastrophizing” are examples of the several thoughts and distortions we can face each day without even realizing it. Why are these things so insidious? First, it is because they are thoughts. Our everactive minds produce thoughts at an unfathomable rate. We are in a constant state of determining which of these numerous thoughts are worthy of our attention. Automatic thoughts – those that occur without conscious effort - usually are most powerful. Being continually influenced by automatic thoughts is one thing, but when you add distortion to those thoughts the frustration party begins. How can we expect to cope with the hard realities of life when our mind is automatically feeding us seriously distorted interpretations of the truth? What’s worse is these automated distortions come in all shapes and sizes! The answers! Fortunately, answers are available if we look for them. To help us understand how “Rejecting the Positive” works, we look at the Apostle Peter in his dramatic experience with Jesus and walking on the water. The moment he took his eyes off of Jesus, off of the source of his stability, he began to sink. What Peter focused on determined what his outcome would be! There is much we can learn here, not only form Peter’s fears but also from the stability of Jesus as well. The bottom line is that most of us have choices regarding the automatic thoughts we struggle with. We end up being our own worst enemy. Check out our May 31, 2021 podcast, “Am I My Own Worst Enemy?” for more. We address seven of these automatic thoughts and distortions one at a time with Bible in hand. As each of these distorted views of our lives has its own unique challenge, so each answer has its own unique suggestion. This conversation can be a real eye-opener. It can help us to see what is driving our reactions and responses and compare that answer with the facts of our Christian walk. Please join us on the pathway to more clearly understanding our personal thoughts.

It is a competitive world out there! I need to focus and to stop at nothing to make my mark. I will apply myself to get the job I want, the life I desire and the status I deserve, while engaging in the leisure and entertainment I crave. Wow! While this description can be of someone who is truly success-motivated and has specific goals, it can also be a warning for us. As Christians, we should applaud motivation. But at the same time, we are alert to fend off the destructive poisons of pride and ego. How do we do both and still have a chance at succeeding in this world? Is it our Christian destiny to be continuously overlooked for that promotion, that opportunity or that position? As usual, applying the Christian principle of humility in this world is bewildering and can be discouraging as well. However, once we get our arms around how Jesus handled this, the whole confusing matter becomes clear! Where did the sick guy come from? Hmmm..... We know Jesus was a humble man. We also know he was bold. How do those two characteristics work together?  The context of Jesus’ parable about the guests at a wedding was a good example. Jesus was invited to the home of a very influential Pharisee for a Sabbath dinner. While this was an elegant occasion, Luke tells us the Pharisees in attendance “watched Jesus closely.” This meant they were planning on testing him. Jesus handled this test by healing a sick man who “just happened to be there” on the Sabbath while simultaneously silencing his Pharisee observers. Jesus showed them humility by doing what God wanted him to. He showed them boldness by confronting their challenge. Larger lessons These actions were the beginning of larger lessons on success through humility. As Jesus observed the Pharisees jockeying for the seats of highest honor at this meal, he unfolded the parable. His lesson was simple. Stop presenting yourselves to your peers with a self-proclaimed splendor and instead take a seat of humility. Allow your value to be recognized by others on its own merit. In the end, it will be God who exalts those who are humble - and that is the most important thing. What can this simple parable of Jesus teach us today about success and humility? If we are willing to look, there are many profoundly practical lessons we can learn. First and foremost is the simple lesson of self-awareness. Know and focus on who we are, and not on what we would like others to think we are. While the concept is simple, executing it in a world full of peer pressure and instant communication is another story. Check out our May 24, 2021 podcast, “Can Humility Keep Me From Success?” for more. We build on the practicality of knowing who we are and examine current day examples of how to apply it. We explore several other aspects of biblical humility from Jesus’ parable and find surprising practicality for today. Join us to see how success and humility can lead us to living a fulfilled Christian life.  

Truth matters. This is something I imagine we would all agree upon and yet we seem to rarely get to the truth. Why?  Because we bicker with and debate those who see things differently based on our different versions of the truth. Enter exaggeration. It is a tool of language to make a point, sway an opinion, build up our ego and embarrass others. Exaggeration by definition has within it seeds of truth, but they are suffocated by the fabrications built upon and around them. The ninth of the Ten Commandments is focused on not lying about others. It is about the necessity for truth on all of our interactions. When God said, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,” did He also mean, “You shall not exaggerate about anything your neighbor has said or done”? Do we need to be on our guard when it comes to exaggeration? At first glance, this ninth Commandment sounds like its primary application is in a legal sense. Don’t lie about your neighbor when they could suffer unrighteous punishment because of it. While this is a necessary application of “you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,” it only scratches the surface. This Commandment is, in actuality, a sweeping statement about our standards of behavior in everyday life. Slander is a part of this As God’s Law to Israel is further explained in Leviticus, we see that slander was absolutely included as a forbidden action in this ninth Commandment. We can easily think that we are safe here. As Christians, we would never slander anyone, no matter how much we may dislike them. But let’s think further. When you slander, you speak an untruth about another person or group. Is there a difference between this and when we exaggerate as we talk about someone? Exaggeration can be good or bad Let’s be clear, all exaggeration is not bad. We can exaggerate as we embellish a story for the purpose of making someone laugh. Laughter is good, and as long as we are not misrepresenting someone in our humor, bring it on. We can exaggerate when we tell our spouse our love for them is as "deep as the ocean" or as "bright as the sun in the sky." Such poetic proclamations can be powerful bonding expressions, so long as we are genuine about our affection. It is when we exaggerate about someone and it misguides other’s impressions and conclusions about them that gets us into trouble. It is here that exaggerated responses can degrade into bearing false witness. Check out our May 17, 2021 podcast, “Is There a Difference Between Exaggerating and Lying” for more. The subtleties of lying and exaggeration are examined so we can better put our speech in order based on scriptural principles. We discover a biblical account that shows how “bearing false witness” can even be insidiously accomplished without words. We discuss how minimizing can be a tool of exaggeration and bearing false witness. To exaggerate can be fun and upbuilding or it can be utterly destructive to our Christianity and to others. Join us and learn the difference! Study the rest of the Commandments with us to see how they are still valid for Christians today.

Have you noticed how blurred the world has become? It has become increasingly more difficult to locate and abide by any life guidelines that represent clear boundaries and a clear direction forward. The eighth Commandment was simple: “You shall not steal.”  This was a clear directive to not take what is not yours. Fast forward society several thousand years and we have quotes that call that simple statement into question, like this one: “It’s not stealing if you don’t get caught.” Then there is the more philosophic approach like this one from Mohsin Hamid: “You see, it is my passionately held belief that the right to possess property is at best a contingent one. When disparities become too great, a superior right, that to life, outweighs the right to property. Ergo, the very poor have the right to steal from the very rich.” What exactly is our Christian responsibility regarding stealing? How definitive are the guidelines, and are there any grey areas? Steal = Kidnap The first thing we notice about this “You shall not steal” Commandment is how broadly it applies. In Exodus 21 - the very next chapter after the 10 Commandments were given - we see the same word for "steal" in the 8th Commandment translated as “kidnap.” Exodus 21:16 tells us the penalty for kidnapping, for stealing any person, is death. What a serious consequence! Other aspects of stealing outlined by God’s Law given to Moses had to do with the general business of life and with buying, selling and trading. The penalties in these cases were still serious, as stealing from your neighbor was also stealing from God.  When someone stole the ability to feed your family (such as the taking of an ox that plows the fields or sheep that supply wool) the penalty was much more serious. Stealing from your neighbor on any level led to major consequences. And in the New Testament? Let's look at the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Here stealing was still a serious crime against your neighbor. Interestingly, Jesus focused us on the “why” of thievery and not the “what.” He plainly said it is driven by a corrupted and sinful heart. And he didn’t reserve this association just for the most serious thefts. Ouch! This should make us look inwardly. Do we in any way have some level of corruption in our hearts? Then there is the age-old question about stealing: Is stealing still wrong if I have no choice?  Check out our May 10, 2021 podcast, “Is It Still Stealing if I Deserve It?” for more.  We deal with this question in a way that may be surprising. We also wade through the many other issues that tend to complicate the simple right and wrong nature of stealing. The bottom line here is simple yet challenging: being a Christian requires a high integrity approach to even the small things in life. This needs to take place in a world that really doesn’t care. Join us as we gather the principles and inspiration to stand for things that matter!  Study the rest of the Commandments with us to see how they are still valid for Christians today.

Let’s set the record straight right from the start. As Christians, God does NOT want us to suffer! Having said that, we know He does want us to learn and grow and mature. This means he will permit us to suffer and will use it as a tool to serve our eternal welfare. Now, what about the rest of the suffering experienced by everyone else? The answer is essentially the same – it is part of the permission of evil, which will be an eternal lesson for all. While these are good lessons, how do we cope with our individual suffering here and now? There are two groups of people who are suffering that we want to talk to today. There are those who may know of and appreciate Jesus and there are those who have dedicated themselves to follow him as his disciples. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus famously invites all who are "weary and heavy-laden" to come to him so he can give them rest. While this invitation is comforting and encouraging, understanding it requires a deeper look. The first thing we notice is that it is an open invitation. Jesus had just finished talking about how those with power and influence tended to reject his teaching and miracles. He thanked God that the beauty of the salvation he was bringing was so readily received by the everyday people. I am exhausted! To be weary and heavy-laden means you are exhausted and overburdened. This simple description fits so many of us here and now. Even though our world is amazingly advanced, stress and suffering are rampant. We are: -challenged with physical things like illness and aging -burdened with financial stresses like job loss and too much month at the end of our money -pressured with social conformity and political unrest We face emotional traumas like broken families, severed relationships, and loneliness.  Our struggles include psychological things like depression, anxiety, phobias and mental illness. Because we know that our time in Christianity is not a time of healing, how can Jesus give us rest? What can he possibly do for us with physical healing off the table? Check out our May 3rd 2021 podcast, “Does God Really Want Me to Suffer?” for more. We look carefully into what Jesus can do for whom. The bottom line here is that there are two different answers as to what Jesus will do for us, depending on our relationship with him. In both cases, there is really good news. So, does God REALLY want us to suffer? The answer is no! That being said, the next logical question is then why doesn't He take our suffering away?  The responses here are bigger than a one or two-line explanation. More than that, they are very encouraging and uplifting as well. If you are suffering in any way and are looking to God and Jesus for relief, please join us for this important conversation. Seeing our suffering with biblical understanding can absolutely help us to cope!    

God does have a plan for the destiny of humanity. He always has. Think about it – God created man as the crowning feature of the earth’s system of life. Man was given dominion over the planet, sin entered and the whole thing seemed ruined. The thing is, God knew sin would enter. He knew man would fall. The journey through sin was to be part of an eternal education experience for all of humanity. In Part I of our series, we established that the Bible teaches the earth not only abides forever, but it will be housing humanity throughout that eternity. We also established that the pathway to heaven is available by invitation only. Walking that path requires life-long faith, sacrifice and obedience. While acknowledging we are sinners and loving Jesus are wonderful steps to take, they don’t get us to heaven. While these scriptural truths are enlightening, they raise MANY questions about the afterlife. What about hell? And what are all those unsaved people doing on earth? What about Judgment Day? Where will most of humanity end up in the afterlife? The concept of an eternal burning hell of torment is a massive question when considering the  destiny of humanity. There are several scriptures in the teachings of Jesus that certainly seem to support it. But think about this concept it relates to the rest of the Bible. If hell is the destiny for those who disobey God, why did God tell Adam that the penalty of sin was death? Did God not tell the truth? If eternal torture is factual, then why was it not described at all outside of Jesus words and two symbolic scriptures in Revelation? Why did the Apostle Paul emphatically state “the wages of sin is death”? Why does the rest of the New Testament not seem to care about such a dramatic consequence? If we take these questions and investigate the Scriptures in question with diligence and integrity, this whole issue begins to reveal itself. What we find is biblical logic and doctrine that debunks this false teaching. While this may be a relief, it adds more questions. Once you take away the belief that unbelievers will be eternally tortured, what do you do with them? Are they simply able to exist with out consequences? How fair would that be?  Do they just cease to exist? How could that be fair for those who never heard the name of Jesus? Enter the Day of Judgment! Understanding the biblical reality of how this period of time works solves all of these issues. Check out our April 26, 2021 podcast, “Did God Make Heaven and Hell Humanity’s Destiny? (Part II)" for more. On top of giving clear biblical direction on the hell of torment issue, we define what Judgment Day is and what it is not. We review the scriptural perspective on what really happens in the afterlife to all the unbelievers throughout history. The result is a crystal-clear picture of how God’s plan will treat believers and unbelievers in the future. Don’t miss how all the details fit together and reveal an inspirational and God-glorifying picture!

The general consensus in Christianity is that there are two paths, two destinies that await humanity. First, there is the heavenly bliss of being with Jesus. After all, Jesus himself said he was preparing a place for his followers in heaven and that he would bring us there. Second, there is the fiery torturous eternal existence of hell. This is reserved for everybody else who did not follow Jesus. While this “two destiny” approach may sound simple, it does not stand the test of scrutiny. For starters, the fact is the vast majority of humanity has not known or accepted the name of Jesus. Does this mean God’s careful creation of humanity “in His image” was a resounding failure? And what about planet Earth? If it is doomed for a fiery end, then why did Jesus tell us to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth? These are just the beginning of some big questions, so let’s see if we can find big biblical answers! Is the earth burned up or not? To best comprehend the eternal destiny of humanity, we need to look carefully at Bible prophecy beginning with earth. Some scriptures seem to indicate the earth will be burned up and every living thing upon it will be destroyed. While this sounds disturbing, the good news is that it is simply not true. On the contrary, we believe the earth will be an eternal habitation in a perfected state in the future. How can we say this when 2 Peter 3:10 reads “…the earth and its works will be burned up.”? The key is understanding what is literal and what is figurative in Scripture. How would we respond to the skeptic who says we can determine something to be figurative to make it fit our narrative? The answer here is to have integrity. Not just personal integrity. We also absolutely need to maintain the clear and consistent teachings of God’s word from beginning to end. The Bible tells us what is true if we allow its message to surface! Check out our April 19, 2021 podcast, “Did God Make Heaven and Earth Humanity’s Destiny? (Part 1)” for more. We dig into several Old Testament prophecies written at different times, in different places by different prophets. We find is a crystal-clear narrative that explains not only what will happen to earth, but why it will happen. These biblical texts are an absolute key in understanding the destiny of humanity in God’s plan. How do you REALLY get to heaven? With the question of earth settled, we next take a scriptural look at heaven.  Who goes to heaven, why do they go and what do they have to do to qualify? The bottom line is: If we want to know where the righteous and unrighteous of humanity go for eternity, we need to understand what is real and what is not according to the Bible. Join us for this revealing two-part discovery series!  

No one wants to be lonely. It is a sad and painful state of being that daily grows more and more common. There is a major difference between being alone and being lonely. To be alone is to be without anyone to engage with. This can be a productive place to be when in the right frame of mind. On the other hand, we can feel isolated in a crowded room or when we are with family and friends. We can be lonely at work, at play and even at church. Perhaps we are lonesome when with our spouse or when engaged in social media. Loneliness is not dictated by outward circumstances, rather it is driven by our interpretations of our experiences and our perceptions of our environment. To be lonely is to feel unimportant. It is to be convinced we do not belong and that we in some way, are unacceptable and even unwanted. Loneliness can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to combat it! Failure? If we are stuck in a lonely corner of our lives, the last thing we want to do is to let others know. Such an action is far too risky, as it brings on the anxiety of a further sense of rejection. We don’t want to hear, “Pull yourself together!” or "Get out there and meet someone!” While these statements may be meant as encouragement, they feel like judgment and enhance our fear of failure. Loneliness, therefore, is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Feeling lonely provokes actions of loneliness and expectations of continued isolation. How do we begin to  break down this destructive pattern? Approach #1: Prayer We suggest five action steps for Christians. The first is prayer. Why? Prayer is a private experience. No one needs to know about it which relieves us from the ever-present sense of judgment we feel. Think about this – God ALREADY knows we are desperately lonely. He ALREADY knows how we arrived at such a state of mind. The purpose of approaching God through Jesus about our isolation is not to inform God of what is happening but to say it. The purpose is to humbly admit to our heavenly Father the extent of our misery and to place our experience into His eternally-capable hands. We begin to seek His will in coping with it. While taking such a first step requires the courage to be honest and humble before God, its benefits can be dramatic. Understanding ourselves through the lens of God’s mercy and love can help us develop the fortitude for the next steps. Check out our April 12, 2021 podcast, “How Do I Cope With Overwhelming Loneliness?” for more. We round out the approach to and benefits of prayer.  The next four steps are introduced, seeing how steps two and three are basically private and therefore less daunting. Don’t miss this opportunity for profound and practical insight. Loneliness does not have to rule our daily life if we learn how to cope with it!  

As Christians, we unequivocally herald the death and resurrection of Jesus as being the absolute centerpiece of our faith. Further, we claim that the entire purpose of our Holy Bible is focused on these events as its primary message. These descriptions are overwhelmingly accurate. But why? Many Christians will answer that we are saved as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and this is true. Others will say these events are proof of God’s loving plan for humanity, and this is true as well.  Let’s now take the time to look at these spectacular events through a different lens. Let’s observe them through the lens of change. What changed and will change in heaven as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection? What changed and will change on earth? The answer on both counts is...plenty! Shocking change What if I told you the death and resurrection of Jesus were the greatest change agents in all of the history of all of God’s creation? Would that seem like a stretch? In this recent podcast we examined the effects of these events from four very specific standpoints. We found a staggering amount of scriptural evidence to support this claim. Sons of God The first of the four areas the death and resurrection of Jesus dramatically changed is focused on our world today. Before these events, God dealt exclusively with His chosen people of Israel. Their relationship with Him was based on His sovereignty over them. Israel had to follow the rites and rituals of the Law to maintain His favor. After Jesus, a new way opened up. It is a way that enables us to be called "sons of God." This change is far more dramatic than most give it credit for. Previously, Adam and Jesus were the only humans to ever be called God’s sons. But now because of Jesus’ faithfulness, God’s spirit can dwell within us. That opens the door to sonship. Further, remember that the gospel call became an invitation that could be heard worldwide. The name of Christ stands for positive influence, even though it has been tarnished and misused by powerful denominations over time. Think of how much better a place the world is as a result of true Christianity. These things just scratch the surface of the changes that the death and resurrection of Jesus brought to our world today. We haven’t even considered the changes that have occurred within the spiritual realm. There is a present spiritual battle between good and evil raging everyday. Jesus stands right in the middle of it! Check out our April 5, 2021 podcast, “How Did Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Change Both Heaven and Earth?” for more. We outline how both the earthly and spiritual realms are different. More importantly, we look into the future and see how both will change in the future because of Jesus. Don’t miss this conversation, as it will deepen your reverence for our Lord and Master!

If you were going to die tomorrow, how would you spend your day today? Jesus faced that very serious question 2,000 years ago. His answer was obvious. He would spend that entire evening with those whom he was closest to. He would prepare them, teach them and encourage them, for what was coming would be shocking and horrifying. The world of the disciples would be shattered, and he wanted them to be as ready as their imperfect minds could allow them to be. What he taught them that night through his words and actions was extraordinary. Even though it is not possible for us to get our arms around the depth of Jesus’ compassion, wisdom, love and clarity of mind, we are going to try anyway. What we find is pure spiritual inspiration. Final insights before the crucifixion The Gospel of John, Chapters 13-16 are a unique view into the heart and mind of Jesus the night before he was taken to be crucified. They represent a detailed recounting of the several hours that Jesus had with his most faithful disciples in the upper room and beyond. John began writing his record of these events with a specific introduction. He told us that Jesus knew it was his time to die, and even more significantly, he told us Jesus knew he was going back to the Father. How could he know he was going back to the Father when he had not yet withstood the horrors of crucifixion? How could he know he wouldn’t break under pressure? It is hard to exactly determine how Jesus knew he wouldn’t break under the pressure of the cross. It is much easier to understand what he was doing with that knowledge in final hours of freedom as a man. Jesus used these precious final hours of freedom to protect and prepare followers.  He protected them by telling them of the trials they would face in the immediate future. Knowledge is power if we choose to apply it and the disciples were given that power. Even though they all faltered, the power of Jesus’ words provided a solid foundation for them to all recover upon. The preparation Jesus provided was epic He knew these individuals who were with him the night before his crucifixion would be the very foundation pillars of Christianity. So, he taught them. He taught them how to be leaders when he washed their feet. He taught them what the price of Christianity was by foreshadowing their coming persecution.  He taught them how connected they were through the illustration of the vine and the branches. He taught them about the role God’s spirit would play in their everyday lives. He taught them to love one another as he loved them. These lessons barely scratch the surface. Check out our March 29, 2021 podcast, “How did Jesus Prepare His Disciples for His Death?” for more.  No group of followers were ever given so much to work with.  Join us as we uncover their lessons and join them in being prepared!

21st century Christianity can be confusing. With all of the denominations and interpretations and approaches to Scripture it is hard to fathom they all claim to represent the same thing. So, what is the bottom line? Is being a Christian - a true Christian - a difficult way of life, or is it a privileged way of life? Does following Jesus place demands on you that are unreasonable to the average person? Or does it promise and deliver some kind of abundance that the average person would notice? Does Christianity fundamentally change you? Or does it help you be the best person you think you can be? Is following Jesus an exclusive calling of those who would do the hard work? Or does it work by way of general knowledge and discovery? Let’s see how Jesus describes what following him looks like and what it produces. Compare As we look at Christian life here in the 21st century, it is easy to notice a significant difference in how it works when compared to 1st century Christianity. Now we have sweeping individuality available in our churches. Now we are encouraged to find a church that suits us, that we are comfortable with. Back then, you became a Christian because you became a believer in Jesus and his sacrifice, and it was all about truth and salvation. Now our Christianity is easily focused on fitting into our comfort zone of service or praise or worship or giving. Back then, Christianity was focused on fitting the varied disciples into the mold of living for Christ. In short, modern Christianity is a far cry from original discipleship. Does this mean that Christianity, which we will call discipleship, is a hard and unyielding mold we are forced into? Not at all! Make no mistake, there are difficult mountains to climb and challenging changes in character to accomplish. But these formidable tasks should not be allowed to overshadow the magnitude of blessing opportunity and growth that discipleship floods us with. Peace, joy and overcoming When Jesus tells all who are weary and heavy laden to come to him for rest, he means it. His promise is to show us how to navigate our world by leaning on him for grace, strength and inspiration. The Bible promises peace, joy and overcoming to those who become Jesus’ disciples. There are Scriptures that promise our highest needs being met and being led through our crises. Who wouldn’t want all that? Still, discipleship is a steep and narrow pathway. How do we put these two seeming extremes together and make sense of following Christ? Check out our March 22, 2021 podcast, “Does Being a Christian Have to Be Difficult?” for answers. We walk through the hardships of discipleship and match them with its blessings and privileges. What we end up with is a clarity of purpose and a straightforward understanding of the why behind it all. Following Christ is not for the faint of heart, but it is the most blessed decision you can ever make!  

Ancient biblical history paints a very specific picture of the world regarding morals and ethics. In the days of the Jewish Law, there were unmistakable lines that anyone of Jewish descent knew they simply should not cross. Just as lying, stealing and murder were lines not to cross, committing adultery was one as well. Fast forward to our world today, and what do we see? Adultery not only sounds old-fashioned, it is common and even sometimes encouraged. There are websites that exist for the purpose of making it easy to find someone to have an affair with! As Christians, how should we look at all of this? Should we determine that the Law is outdated and adjust to modern-day thinking? Should we focus on the Law and what Jesus taught and condemn everyone else? Is there a middle ground? "You shall not commit adultery" is the seventh Commandment It is a simple, straightforward statement that leaves no ambiguity. According to the Old Testament Jewish Law, committing adultery was punishable by death. This may seem harsh to us here in the 21st century. There are several things we overlook when we quickly judge ancient laws and practices, especially those of biblical origin. First, life back then was much more basic and survival was tenuous. You became an adult and had a family. You dedicated yourself to your role in providing for that family because life and death risks surrounded you. Things like adultery were an affront to the basic survival of your family and community and were simply not tolerated. There was too much at stake! What about spiritual adultery? Even though we focus on the severe destruction physical adultery brings, there is another kind of adultery mentioned in the Bible - spiritual adultery. In the Old Testament, it had to do with Israel’s infidelity toward God. God spoke through the prophets about the betrayal Israel engaged in by “playing the harlot.” They worshipped and followed pagan gods while pretending to honor Him. How was this adultery? It was all about violating a sacred commitment, just like the act of physical adultery blatantly violates the sacred covenant of marriage. In both cases, there is a physical walking away from the one to whom you are bound and attaching yourself to another. Check out our March 15, 2021 podcast, “Is Adultery Really That Wrong?” for so much more. We delve into God’s amazing justice and mercy in dealing with adulterous Israel. We open up Jesus’ words on this Commandment and find that he challenges us much more deeply than the Old Testament Commandment. Jesus speaks to the very heart of what causes adultery and raises the bar for every Christian to live up to.  His words are both inspiring and daunting! We also uncover what spiritual adultery looks like in the New Testament - and it isn’t pretty.  It is disturbing that the symptoms of such infidelity to God are very much present in our modern-day Christianity. Join us as we learn some of the most important faithfulness lessons of our time! Study the rest of the Commandments with us to see how they are still valid for Christians today.

The first four of the Ten Commandments all have to do with humanity’s relationship to God. These directives came first because our relationship with God should always be the driving factor in our lives. The fifth Commandment focuses on our relationship with our parents and is fashioned after the first four, with honor and respect being paramount. “You shall not murder” is the sixth Commandment.  This is the first of the Ten Commandments to focus us on our relationship with all other human beings. It is a simply stated, emphatic directive teaching us about the sacredness of human life. It sets the stage for the rest of the Commandments. But it is not as simple as it sounds.  Its importance cannot be overstated! Further, Jesus not only taught its importance, he also dramatically expanded its meaning for his disciples. We will find “You shall not murder” to be a life-governing principle in every corner of our experiences. Life under the Old Testament Law was in many ways a very black and white experience. The Ten Commandments were concise statements as to how we should act towards God, our families and everyone else. Obey the Commandments and God blesses you, break the Commandments and God is angry with you. “You shall not murder” seems like a no-brainer  We all should know this, right?  Few ever consider why God made this simple statement part of the ten most basic laws He ever gave to humanity. Old Testament First, this particular Commandment has to do with the taking of another’s life outside of acts of war, protection of person and property, and as a consequence of harsh crimes. It is all about an individual taking justice into their own hands. Usually, such an assumption of power is based on hate, jealousy or rage and is not just. Second, this Commandment is making obvious to all humanity that  God created humanity in His own image. It is as though God is saying, "You are My children. I directly created you to have dominion on this earth. Human life is sacred in My eyes, so do NOT haphazardly destroy it!" New Testament Understanding God’s perspective helps us dramatically when we fast forward to the New Testament and observe what Jesus taught. Jesus took the “You shall not murder” Commandment and explained it to his disciples in a higher and far more challenging way. He introduced the idea of murdering someone’s character or reputation by the way we talk to them. Not only that, he talked about the accountability for such words in a very pointed way. Why would Jesus do this? Why would he make “You shall not murder” about what goes on in our heads and with our words? Check out our March 8, 2021 podcast, “Could God Convict Me of Murder?” for more.  We dive right into Jesus’ words to find the lessons. Then we look at all the things we as Christians need to be wary of. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to take the high road in preserving the lives of others rather than damaging them! Study the rest of the Commandments with us to see how they are still valid for Christians today.

As Christians, we face the potential for deep trouble each and every day. Why? We live in an age of knowledge, choice, technology and accessibility. This would all be thoroughly awesome, except for one thing. These opportunities come with a healthy dose of what I will call an “entitlement of excess.” Because we can, we therefore feel we must. Many of the myriads of things available to us are good and healthy. We can learn to garden, sew and carve wood by watching videos online. We can be part of several social communities without the disadvantage of distance. Amazingly, we can learn about other cultures, appreciate art and music from anywhere, read, absorb and watch to our heart's content. So, how much is too much? Where should we draw a line, and more importantly, why should we draw lines? You'd think the question of good things potentially becoming bad would be easy for Christians.  Colossians 3:17 tells us, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” This seems so simple –  do whatever you are going do with thankfulness to God and in Jesus' name, and you are fine.  Keep Jesus in mind and carry on! While there is powerful truth in this, it is far from complete. Can we take advantage of others? What if we are blatantly taking advantage of others and doing it in the name of Jesus? Is that okay? Of course not! What if we are supporting an organization we know does bad things but supports what we think are good and godly causes? Is that okay? Still no, but perhaps this is not as easy to determine. What if we are engaged in good and healthy human activities that directly or indirectly interfere with our Christianity? Is that okay? Hmmm, we may need to think about this. How much do they interfere? Is it really interference or is it just minor inconvenience? Is it really that bad? The “Is it really that bad?” question is a life-altering query.  How are we make Christian decisions, assessing the countless ways we can occupy our time? How do we clearly quantify when something that starts out worth our time and effort but ends up being an unprofitable path to continue on? To adequately answer these questions, we obviously need the Bible. More than that, we need the relevant Scriptures put in order to follow their guidance. Don't miss downloading our Decision Tree here Check out our March 1, 2021 podcast, “Can Good Things Ever be Bad?” for more. We put the complex process of finding godly guidelines for all aspects of life into a Decision Tree. We pose the important questions and attach Scriptures to them as guidance. Then we put the several levels of questions needed to secure a God-honoring answer in sequence. The result is a roadmap to guide us with every life decision regarding things like friends, leisure, research, curiosity and hobbies. We can choose if the good things in our lives remain good. Join us and find out how!

Talking about slavery is a sensitive issue, and rightfully so. We live in an age where we recognize that ALL people have rights. We now live in a time where no group of people or any working class should ever be separated from those rights. This was not always so. Many ancient societies survived on the backs of slaves. These were often comprised of conquered peoples or those who were generationally born into servitude. Christianity had its beginnings in the context of such societies. With such inequity, how could Christianity survive and even flourish? Could slaves AND their owners both thrive under Christ?  Fortunately, the Bible gives us a powerful view of how this actually worked in those days. Let’s walk through the true story of two men on opposite ends of this spectrum and see how the Apostle Paul helped them both maintain their faithfulness to Christ and each other. Towards the end of his life, the Apostle Paul found himself a prisoner of the Roman Empire because of accusations some made that he was subverting the Empire by preaching Christianity. Being a Roman citizen gave him certain advantages, like being on house arrest. He was not able to go anywhere, but he was able to have visitors. It was during this time that a runaway slave named Onesimus came to see him. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon, who had been converted to Christianity by Paul. Although a slave owner, Philemon was an active and faithful brother in Christ and was well known for his service to others. Paul faced problems this visit from Onesimus Roman law stated that harboring a runaway slave made you liable for any losses that runaway cost their master. The penalties for runaway slaves went as far as crucifixion, so aiding them could be interpreted as being complicit in their lawbreaking. There was the matter of just and fair treatment for Philemon. Paul would certainly not want to hurt his dear friend in any way, regardless of Roman law. It's complicated On top of all this, the Apostle Paul ends up converts Onesimus to Christianity! What should he do now? How do you find the path to doing the right thing for everyone involved without breaking the law? And how do you see to it that the right thing is done when you yourself are on house arrest and cannot personally follow up? Check out our February 22, 2021 podcast, “How Did the Apostle Paul Handle a Slave Owner?” for answers. We examine the letter that Paul wrote to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus line by line. Then we find wise, spiritually-sound and legally-compliant advice all wrapped up in rock solid compassion and reasoning. We get a powerful glimpse into the heart and mind of the Apostle Paul in a way that is not revealed in any of his other writings. Don’t miss this opportunity to see wisdom unfold that conquers social inequity, wrongdoing and the reconciling of two very different individuals!  

...And they lived happily ever after! This is such a promising and bliss-filled ending that is sought after and hoped for by so many. Who wouldn’t want the prospect of happiness and contentment as a recipe for their married life in all their coming days? The truth of the matter is that at the rate present-day society is going, this dream - even for a Christian marriage - is a mere fantasy for most married couples. I know this sounds harsh, but the reality is, there are two things about marriage that most of us do not understand. First and foremost, it is not a love-driven relationship, but a commitment-driven relationship that is fed by love. Secondly, it is a lot of work. Though it sounds hard, even daunting, it is profoundly worth the effort! So, how hard should we be willing to keep this commitment? How unbreakable and important are the “’til death do us part” vows we took? The Bible is filled with all kinds of promises Some are between God and humanity, or between God and individuals. Others are between nations, and others are between families or individuals.  These promises can vary in sacredness according to how the parties make them. Rest assured, whenever God makes a promise, it is more solemn than anything we can imagine. So, what about the promises we make to one another? Sacred promises in the Bible are called covenants The word comes from an ancient ritual having to do with walking between the two halves of a slaughtered animal to seal the agreement.  Afterwards, the animal was eaten in a feast symbolizing the unity of the agreement. Marriage is not only called a covenant in Scripture, it is called a “covenant of God.” This means that God was invited to witness the making of the agreement. It is written in Genesis regarding the union of Adam and Eve that the man and woman became one flesh. Jesus later adds that what God has joined together, let no man separate. These details make it clear that the Bible defines marriage as the highest and most sacred promise two human beings can make.  Sound a bit scary? It should! What are we supposed to do now that we know this? If we are struggling with marriage, what does God expect? What if we have done sinful things to dismantle our marriage, is there a specific path we should take? What do we do if we have lost our spouse? How do we handle the sacredness of what we had? Check out our February 15, 2021 podcast, “How Vital Are My Vows of Marriage?” for more on Christian marriage. We address all these questions with scriptural principles. We also review the sacredness of several of God’s own promises to model the kind of focus we should have with our covenants. Finally, we look into the depths of what we can do to keep any marriage strong and growing.  Marriage is no small task. It challenges you, presses you and changes you. It also can bless you in ways you never thought possible. Find out how!

Two of the most dramatic lives recorded in the Bible belong to Moses and Jesus. The heroics of Moses life extended over a lifetime of 120 years, whereas Jesus’ heroics were all accomplished within a 33-year lifetime. Despite the dramatic time differences, there are startling similarities between these two deliverers. Moses’ life was recorded and detailed in four Old Testament books of the Bible. Jesus' life was recorded and detailed in four New Testament books. Both of them were plainly or prophetically referenced throughout the entire Bible. They each executed the two greatest deliverances in the history of mankind – Moses walked his people out of Egypt, and Jesus ransomed the entire human race from sin. This all just scratches the surface! As we look into specific events of Moses' life as deliverer of a nation, we will see inspiring revelations into the life of Jesus as deliverer of the world. Comparing Moses to Jesus makes for a revealing Bible study, as there is an extensive list of striking similarities between the two. The Bible points to comparisons Moses told Israel there would come a prophet from among them who would be like him. The Bible unequivocally tells us he was speaking about Jesus. This revelation by Moses invites us to investigate the significant comparisons between these two leaders. By Moses prophesying that Jesus would be like him, it stands to reason that Moses' life would a be pattern for Jesus’ life. Sure enough, we find that the similarities from the beginning to the end of these two lives are staggering. For example, think about the simple comparisons between these two lives in relation to their birth and infancy. Both Moses and Jesus were born at times when Israel was not a free nation. They were both were born to parents who were faithful to God. As infants, both of their lives were under threat by the present governing powers of their time. Even though Moses was raised as an Egyptian prince, his birth parents had a powerful influence on him. Parenting and nurturing a deliverer is no easy task, and God chose parents who were up to the task. Moses grew up, left Egypt and renounced his Egyptian upbringing. Jesus was taken to Egypt for protection from Herod and literally came out of Egypt just as Moses did. Check out our February 1, 2021 podcast, “What Does Moses the Deliverer Teach Us About Jesus?” for more. We compare the characters of Moses and Jesus and look at their leadership. This episode even includes a comparison of some of the miracles they each performed. Why would God tell us so much about Jesus by way of Moses’ experiences? There are many reasons, not the least of which is to remind us that God always had a plan. God foreshadowed the actions and responses of Jesus as the world’s savior in Moses’ life as deliverer of Israel.  The message here is one of great comfort. God has everything in His ultimate control. He does not need to make things up as He goes; rather, He creates His plan and watches it unfold!

“Words mean things” is a simple and powerful truism that certainly applies to our study of God’s word. In our mistranslation podcast series, we have endeavored to establish how much a text of Scripture can be changed by the mistranslation or misunderstanding of a single word. Every word of inspired Scripture can and should be scrutinized for its meaning. Mistranslations occur sometimes by accident, sometimes because of preconceived belief and sometimes to deliberately deceive. Confusion is the foundation of deception. Satan likes nothing better than planting seeds of error and seeing them called truth. But by God’s grace, we are blessed with all the needed tools to examine and clarify nearly all questions of mistranslation and misunderstanding. Of course, the holy spirit works with us in our continual search for the truth. Love, love, love You would think that something as straightforward as the English word “love” in the Bible would not raise any mistranslation alarms. Sadly, this is not the case. It turns out that our one English word “love” is translated from several Greek words with very different meanings. These different Greek words can mean anything from a benevolent selfless love, to the fraternal affection of team members, to the love of a family. What kind of love does God have for Jesus or for the world of humanity? How about the kind of love Jesus had for those closest to him, or for us? What kind of love are we supposed to have for whom? All these questions can be easily answered when we look at the original words and their meanings. Knowing the answers to these questions dramatically changes our understanding of our Christian calling. How about the word used for “God” in the Bible? Here again, you would think it would be easy and that the word god would mean “God in heaven,” and that would be it. Nothing is further from the truth. This word has many scriptural applications, some of which are surprising. As we begin to uncover its varied usage, our understanding of the descriptions of God can become more well-rounded. We begin to see how the Bible uses some concepts of royalty that were familiar to the people of the time to describe God himself. God's name This brings us to the name that God has given us by which to address Him. Even though this name appears over 6,000 times in the Bible, many translations hardly ever translate it! Why? What is there about God’s name that keeps it hidden? Jesus' return Check out our February 1, 2021 podcast, “Has the Bible been Mistranslated and Misunderstood? (Part V) for more. We clearly address these several questions regarding scriptural accuracy and meaning. We also delve into another mistranslation issue that changes everything about the major prophecy of Jesus’ return. What if the Christian world's current anticipation of Jesus’ return was based on a key mistranslation? Based on the original meaning of specific Greek words, what should our expectations of his return look like? Join us to find some unexpected answers!  If you missed the previous parts of this series, start with Part I to begin your study...  

For any Christian, understanding the Bible and its message should be of paramount importance. The fact that the Bible is a collection of books and letters written in ancient times by various authors presents a challenge to this understanding. We need to learn what is authentic, what is mistranslated and how it all harmonizes. We continue our exploration of how we got our Bible, and how the process of translation from the original languages requires precision in order to get the truths God intends.  This is a necessary exercise because the Bible is the foundation of our faith. We depend upon an accurate and honest assessment of what it teaches so we in turn can believe and spread the true gospel message. In the three previous parts of this series, we focused on several big questions about the Bible that never seem to go away: Why are some writings included in the sacred text and others excluded? Who were the decision makers regarding acceptable text, and what was their criteria? How did some verses or portions of verses get inserted into the Bible that weren't part of the original text? Did Jesus really believe in the Old Testament? What words are translated or interpreted in a way that is out of harmony with their true meaning? How would we know? What tools do we as individual students of the Bible have available to help us to personally study these things for ourselves? Unicorns? Mistranslations can be small enough to be a nuisance and important enough to shake the fabric of one’s doctrinal belief. In this Part IV of our series, we considered both kinds of issues. Here is one example of a smaller issue:  Did you know the King James Version of the Bible talks about unicorns? Turns out it mentions these fabled animals eleven times! So, what’s the truth of the matter? Is the Bible confirming that unicorns are real? If so, what does that do to the Bible’s credibility? Several larger mistranslation issues have a direct bearing on fundamental Christian belief. Across the vast majority of Christian denominations, we find an unquestioned acceptance of how our churches are organized. Christianity has systems in place that are logical, cover needs and seem simple and practical. A deep study of Scripture and the ancient languages used reveals a simple yet significant misapplication of a specific word regarding church organization. Apply the correct meaning and watch what it changes! Check out our January 25, 2021 podcast, “Has the Bible Been Mistranslated and Misunderstood? (Part IV)” for more. We look at several smaller mistranslations to find true meaning. Sometimes the difference is insignificant. But more often than not, the true meanings enhance the Bible’s harmony. We also examine another huge translation issue having to do with the major doctrine of what happens after the average person dies. Finding the truth on this opens our eyes to the Bible’s authentic message. Don’t miss this opportunity to be able to see some biblical truths for the first time!  Continue your studies with Part V...

To honor your father and mother is the 5th of the Ten Commandments given to Moses for Israel. Like all of the other Commandments, this is a very old-fashioned and worn-out sounding principle. I mean, we all know that we should respect our parents to some degree, but are we supposed to let them run our lives? What exactly is entailed in honoring parents? And what if your parents were not good parents? Maybe they were absent, or worse. Does our present age of overwhelming personal freedom and choice override this ancient law? Can honoring your parents in some circumstances be detrimental to them and you? Fortunately, the Bible does put all of this in order. It provides us with sound reasoning and direction so we can enthusiastically fulfill this Commandment. When God gave the Ten Commandments, the first four were all about honoring Him as Creator, God and Deliverer.  Did you ever wonder why the very next Commandment was about honoring parents? God as their sovereign was guiding them as to how to establish a successful nation. His point was plain. God must ALWAYS be first as He delivered and established them as a nation. Parents must then be honored in a similar fashion, as they were the life givers and providers for every individual in that nation. Often when God reminded Israel that He comes first, he also reminded them to honor their parents as well.  According to God, these two Commandments are inseparable. What about bad parents? The big question arises when we think about parents who, unfortunately, are not good people. What if they lead evil lives and do ungodly things? Would God really want us to honor them? This seems like it would be contradictory, but it really isn't.  According to the Bible, the word for “honor” relating to our parents has to do with prizing or valuing something.  When we “prize” something, we care for it.  We are not careless with it and we are not impatient or half-hearted in its care. Our honor for parents who have been or are destructive should be this way. It should reflect our determination to do what is ultimately best for them in the eyes of God. This does NOT mean blindly following their evil thoughts or desires! Check out our January 18, 2021 podcast, “What Does Honoring Your Father and Mother Look Like?” for more. We list several practical examples of what honoring a bad parent looks like and does not look like. For many of us, this is a powerful, eye-opening conversation. We also talk about what honoring parents who are God-honoring themselves looks like. This is so much more than listing out nice things to do for them. Honoring our father and mother is a foundational principle of a high-functioning society. God made it clear that if we lose this generational honor, we eventually lose our ability to hold onto that which is righteous for all. Join us and reclaim the value of the family unit! Study the rest of the Commandments with us to see how they are still valid for Christians today.

Last week we talked about perseverance as an essential aspect of our Christian lives. We saw that persevering means much more than simply hanging on when things are tough. It means we set our hearts and minds on moving forward, no matter how small the steps might be. We examined some Isaiah scriptures that gave us a glimpse of what Jesus’ own focus - what his “game face" - looked like. And we established that we need perseverance in many areas of life and discussed it in the context of our trials and afflictions. We heard the story of Jonathan, a 14-year-old young man who is persevering through a serious case of Scoliosis. Today, we expand the scope of our perseverance conversation as we look at the persecutions and tests of loyalty every Christian must endure. We do this both scripturally and through the stories of Lorain and Fred, two mature Christians whose life experiences pressed them to persevere in ways they never saw coming. Lorain's story Lorain was a dedicated Christian whose focus was always on serving God. Several years ago at age 36, she was struck with Multiple Sclerosis and her life’s trajectory dramatically changed. We recently caught up with her and observed her experiences and growth. What we found was an amazing story of perseverance. She helped us to understand that sometimes our life requires us to approach it like a soldier who is always preparing for or facing battle. As Christians, we are sometimes called upon to persevere through persecution.  Often this persecution comes from those who are close to us, from friends, associates and even family. This is difficult, as there is usually no place to hide when this happens. How do we handle it? Like Lorain, we soldier up. We fight these battles by wearing the armor of God as instructed in Ephesians chapter 6. Here’s the thing - our mission may not be to vanquish someone persecuting us. It may be to instead witness our Christian character to them. Our mission as soldiers is to do what God would have us to do and not what we feel like doing. This can only happen when we apply Christian perseverance to this fight. Fred's story Fred was a happily married, dedicated Christian when nine years ago his wife died suddenly and without warning. This experience broke many parts of him, but it didn’t break his faith. Fred shared with us how over years he picked up the pieces and reset his life’s direction. His perseverance was and is like that of a farmer. Slowly, methodically and according to Scripture, he did the work to cultivate Christian growth and maturity. His story is one that helps us understand how our perseverance should be solely focused on our loyalty to God through Christ. Check out our January 11, 2021 podcast, “How Can I Persevere When Life Gets Tough? (Part II)" for more. Not only is this journey thoroughly inspiring, it is deeply educational as well. Mastering Christian perseverance is one of the secrets to living a fulfilled life. Join us and get on the path to victory!

Perseverance is not something we talk about much anymore. It sounds like an old word from some other time in history. Now we talk about making demands and our personal perspectives being instantly and unquestioningly accepted by those around us. We now live in a society where it is not about hard work or building something from the ground up; it is about claiming whatever anyone else has as mine simply because I have a voice. It's too bad. In history, the greatest positive changes in all the world happened largely because of perseverance. Gandhi persevered, Martin Luther King, Jr. persevered, allied soldiers in the World Wars persevered. Jesus not only personally persevered, he taught us how to do it ourselves. Perseverance vs. Endurance It is easy to confuse perseverance and endurance because they are similarly defined. When we think of endurance, we might envision someone or something that weathers the test of time and pressure. The Parthenon is an ancient Greek temple that has endured history and stands to tell a story. When we think of perseverance, we might envision someone who has progressed through a difficult challenge against the odds. It has been said that Thomas Edison had 1,000 failed experiments before he invented the light bulb. The key here is the thought of progressing towards something versus the thought of weathering a storm.  Perseverance is an exercise in movement. This subtle difference carries with it a world of meaning. Meet Jonathan Depending on what we are facing, the act of persevering can look like many different things. For Jonathan, a 14-year-old young man, perseverance looks very specific. Jonathan has a serious case of Scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. Many cases of this disease are relatively minor, but the serious ones like Jonathan’s become debilitating and lead to necessary surgery. Jonathan needs to exercise up to two hours a day, seven days a week to try and keep it from getting worse. If any one of us were faced with a demanding regiment of two hours per day of doing anything, we would be challenged. For this young man, the challenge is not just physical but mental as well, as he must continue to stay motivated. How does he do that? Check out our January 4, 2021 podcast, “How Can I Persevere When Life Gets Tough? (Part I)” for more. We hear Jonathan explain his journey of faith, discipline and perseverance and find several nuggets of inspiration along the way. We also examine how the Bible describes perseverance. This is also revealing.  Several scriptures in our common translations sound “nice” and “encouraging” are actually serious calls to action. Christian faithfulness is squarely built upon persevering. To walk in Jesus' footsteps is by definition perseverance. Join us for Part I of this 2-part series as we uncover the many aspects of what a persevering life looks like. Come with us on this journey of discovery, growth and inspiration!  

Compromise can be so misunderstood. On one hand, we as Christians should be standing for and living a compromise-free life. Nothing should ever water down our life principles of sacrifice. Walking steadfastly in Jesus’ footsteps must always be our immovable goal. On the other hand, there are times and places when compromise is not only an option but a necessary and spiritually-based choice of righteousness. Because we are all imperfect we will inevitably come across circumstances where it is not a lowering of our standards, but a raising of them. How then do we tell the difference? What makes some compromises good and others just plain wrong? To differentiate good and bad compromise, we need to understand two fundamental questions: What are we compromising about? This is a broad area, and we need to be alert. The general bottom line is our compromises can include a myriad of subjects but must never go down one particular road. That road is the compromise of godly principles. These are NEVER up for grabs! This might sound like am easy issue, but we need to be careful. It is far too easy to confuse those things that are solid godly principles with those things that are personal preferences. Sometimes we want something to rise to the level of principle that simply does not belong there. Fortunately, there are many Scriptures that help us see the difference. Who are we compromising with? Let’s be clear, this is not going to be a clear night and day answer, except for one detail. As Christians, we should be reasonable and willing to engage in give and take with people from all walks of life.  The one exception is making a deal with the devil.  While this sounds like an obvious thing to avoid, it is far more subtle that we might think. Moses is a great example of how to manage this. When he was preparing to lead the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt he was following God’s direction. He took his specific instructions and appeared before the mighty Pharaoh of Egypt several times. When we observe what took place in those interchanges, we learn several profound lessons regarding appropriate compromise. This may have looked like a classic power struggle. It was really a process that revealed the mighty Pharaoh’s lying, deceit and weakness. It also revealed the importance of NOT compromising when godly principles are at stake. Check out our December 28, 2020 podcast, “Has My Christianity Been Compromised?” for more. We examine how to avoid the entrapment of making deals with the devil. We describe the danger of falling into four specific traps, the fist of which is being an Incognito Christian. Just as important, we list many compromises that are not only acceptable, but spiritually healthy to make. Don’t miss this opportunity to lay out the whole concept of compromise and understand when to proceed and when to run!

Christmas has changed. While the holiday has always had many non-Christian aspects it seems as though the Christ based pieces of the tradition are ever fading. In its place we have Santa, reindeer, trees, gifts, lights, ornaments, food, family and for this year, social distancing. Now most of those things are not bad, with the notable exception of the social distancing. In fact, they do tend to bring a cheerful sense to our lives. Putting Christ in Christmas is about much more than good cheer – it is about a message of glad tidings of great joy, and it’s for all people! How do we get back to focusing on bringing joy to the world instead of just a moment of emotional excitement? Gifts! Gifts are a great way to bring Jesus back to the center of Christmas, but not in the way you might think. Let’s focus in on some of the key individuals surrounding Jesus' birth and observe the gifts they were given.  We will find their gifts are bigger and more important than we can imagine. We will also notice these gifts were not given without the massive responsibility to care for them. Let’s touch on Mary, for example. She was young, not of noble birth, and not counted in any social circle as significant. On the contrary, she was a simple woman who was betrothed to Joseph, a humble carpenter. He was from the city of Nazareth.  And everyone knew that not much good came from that city. Mary and Joseph did display one outstanding feature:  They were both humbly dedicated to serving God by following the Jewish Law to their best ability. Their humility and drive to serve God must have been profound, for they were chosen of God. He chose them to be the people through whom the world’s salvation would be nurtured. For Mary, this would begin with a miraculous, fearful and life-changing event. Not many people in Scripture were ever visited by an angel. Fewer were given tasks by those angels. Only Mary was told by an angel that a miraculous human life would be conceived in her, and that she would be the mother of the long-awaited Messiah! It is mind-boggling to think of how to process the news of such a gift. It is beyond imagination to think about how you manage the responsibility of such a gift! Mary’s gift from God was to serve Him in a very unique way. As footstep followers of Jesus, our gift is also to serve God in a unique way. While the differences are obvious, the similarities are profound. Check out our December 21, 2020 podcast, “How Do We Keep Jesus at the Center of Christmas?” for more. We detail both Mary and Joseph’s gifts and responsibilities as well as the gifts of a few others. What we find are examples of our gifts from God, and how to glorify Him as we accept them. Don’t miss this opportunity to keep His son Jesus at the center of Christmas!

In part 1 of this two-part series, we discovered several very clear scriptural statements and lines of reasoning that showed us we are justified by faith. Having established that, the most obvious next question is, what about works? How does the Bible define “works of faith”? Is it a work of faith to go to church, or is that just a result of faith? Is financially contributing to your church considered a work of faith, or is it just a good thing to do? Are there certain things every Christian is required to do, or is it all based on who you are? To what degree is our pathway to heaven based on works? How do we know if we are doing enough? The bottom line is, you can't live a life of faith without works. As Christians, we often to get focused on a specific scriptural phrase and make it the centerpiece for our belief system. This can be a good or bad thing. To focus on the scriptural phrase “God is love” is a good thing, as the rest of the Bible powerfully confirms this. The flip side is when we point out that the Bible says we are "justified by faith" and end it there.  Another Scripture says that God justifies, so does that mean faith doesn’t? James repeats that works are part of justification. Does that mean God and faith play no role? Of course not. If someone says you need food to survive, they’re right. Someone else says you need water to survive, and they are right. Yet a third person says you need shelter to survive, and they are also right. The fact is, you need all three. Similarly, you simply cannot live a justified life without faith in the ransom of Jesus God applying that ransom to you individually, and then doing the works of a justified person. So, what are the works a true Christian must engage in? It turns out there are many and varied. We see evidence of these works of faith throughout the entire New Testament. Jesus began our understanding of them by showing us a big picture approach. When he taught the Sermon on the Mount, he said his followers were to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Basically, he was telling us that we have powerful influence on the world around us. We need to work at preserving godly righteousness by being “salty” and lighting the way to godliness by shining out God’s truth through our lives. These are the big picture start. Check out our December 14, 2020 podcast, “Is It Faith or Works That Gets Us to Heaven? (Part II)” for more. We uncover many of the Christian works we are called upon to do and lay out the details on what they require. Join us as we walk through the practicality of actually being a Christian!  

I’m a Christian. I have been called by God to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. I believe that as a sinner, I cannot do anything to earn God’s favor. Jesus’ sacrifice gave me a standing before God that I could not have had without it. So, what now? Jesus promised that all his true followers would be with him in heaven, but what does that mean for me? Do I just focus on building my faith and not works, as it says in the book of Ephesians? Should I be living my life with ever-greater expectations that God’s providence will always come through and answer my heartfelt prayers? Or should I primarily focus on works and not faith, as it says in the book of James? Should I be out and about, always doing things to show that I am a person of faith? How can something that should be so simple be so confusing? The Reformation The debate over what justifies a believer has raged for hundreds of years. The biblical phrase, “The just shall live by faith” became the rallying cry of the Martin Luther Reformation in the 1500s. As a result, the Protestant movement was formed and never looked back. When you think about that Scripture it would seem the conclusion of living by faith over works would be a no brainer. Of course, it is not. Contradictions? As a matter of fact, the Bible says three seemingly contradictory things about being justified. All three are in the New Testament. Romans 5 says we have been justified by faith. Romans 8 says it is God who justifies us. James 2 says we are justified by our works. Let the head scratching begin! Being faithful as a Christian depends on being justified. If something as basic as the way we are justified is in question, how can we have confidence in our journey? The good news is there is a sound and clear biblical explanation for all of this. The challenging news is, the answer is not necessarily plain and obvious. It all has to do with the meaning of being justified. Here again, there are details that seem to cause trouble. Consider that Abraham was spoken of as being righteous before God. While we look at this as a good thing, we also realize that he wasn’t a follower of Jesus, and therefore was not invited to heaven. What now?  Check out our December 7, 2020 podcast, “Is it Faith or Works That Gets us to Heaven? (Part I) for more.  We break these challenges down one at a time. We examine the words and their context in a broad-based approach that brings us logical and harmonious answers. The conclusion is that the just do live by faith. So, what about works? What about God’s role? Parts I and II together show how the harmony works, and what it means for you and I as we follow Christ.

Usually this time of year signals having a more festive outlook on things. Having the American holiday of Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas approaching signals cheerful, generous and pleasant interactions. Decorations, excitement and goodwill prevail! Usually. Then there was the year 2020 which brought a pandemic to the world, the likes of which had not been seen in a hundred years. Good cheer is overrun by depression, happiness is crushed by anxiety and anticipation has turned to foreboding. We are all currently stuck in the mud of uncertainty and often spin our wheels in frustration, only to sink deeper. COVID-19 has brought our fears of what was unknown nine months ago into the light of what is known. And that feels even more terrifying. The answer to this dilemma is in plain sight but not easily understood. It is gratitude. Seriously, gratitude properly understood and applied is life-changing! Here come the eye rolls. When you mention being thankful, the knee jerk reaction of many ranges from completely ignoring the suggestion to eye rolls.  Unfortunately, we tend to see gratitude as an exercise in triviality. Politely say you are thankful for food, family, friends, shelter and health and be done with it. This way you don’t offend anyone. You participated in the formalities. Now you can get back to your own world of self-centered distractions. While this has become a socially-acceptable response to the gratitude challenge, it is also a sad misrepresentation of thanksgiving. The problem? Platitudes, not gratitude. We have allowed platitudes to take the place of sincere gratitude. A platitude is a word or phrase that is trite or stale. It is spoken to cover the bases of responding without having to think or be sincere. Platitudes are common – we all use them. In the book of Isaiah, platitudes are described when God is scolding Israel for worshipping Him with their words and not their hearts. This was unacceptable to God because it was not genuine. True gratitude is life-changing.  Now, you can say that phrase is a classic platitude, and it certainly can be! The test here is to see what is behind the phrase. Is it spoken to pacify or to clarify? Check out our November 30, 2020 podcast, “How Can We be Thankful After the Year We’ve Had?” for more. We examine gratitude from both a biblical perspective and a practical 21st century perspective. What we find is nothing short of inspirational (and no, that’s not a platitude either). We uncover powerful scriptural instruction regarding the nature of thanksgiving. Then we share some practical real life personal lessons that have helped us deepen our own gratitude. We follow the story of a woman whose three-year-old son was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. Her reactions, responses and retelling of her story are riveting. Gratitude is not an emotion, it is a state of mind. Join us to open the door to accessing its secrets!

In part 2 of our series, we reviewed a list of tools Bible students can use to study the original languages of Scripture. These tools enable non-experts (like us) to unlock the Greek and Hebrew of the Bible to understand what the original inspired words mean and how they are used. Then we examined "spurious" texts - writings that are not part of holy writ but are additions that came into manuscripts over time. Next, we looked at several poorly-translated texts and how these can be identified. Lastly, we reviewed the role of interpretation in translations we can agree on. On this episode, our trek of discovery continues with a further review of Bible mistranslations that camouflage important details of the Bible’s true teaching. Once again, our single goal here is to understand the will and mind of our Holy God by harmonizing every text in Scripture. Did Jesus Really Say That? Have you ever wondered if all the words attributed to Jesus were his actual words? Just asking this question can cause anxiety. After all, if the words of Jesus are not authentic then our faith, by definition, would be called into question. The bad news is that we not only have some words with questionable authenticity, we have some events as well.  The good news – the very good news - is that these are few and far between. And they don’t seriously damage Jesus’ main message. To have a true understanding of the Bible, we need to look into these things and follow the path of verifiable evidence. One of the most unusual issues with Bible mistranslations had to do with the Apostle Paul. In one of his writings he quoted the Old Testament, which was a very common thing for him to do. The unusual part was that he misquoted the verses. How could this have happened? Because he misquoted his source, do we still consider that particular teaching of his as inspired by God?  Check out our November 23, 2020 podcast, “Has the Bible Been Mistranslated and Misunderstood? (Part III).” We delve into the fascinating issues with Jesus’ and the Apostle Paul, and other questions rarely-asked questions. Bible Numerology Does the Bible as God’s inspired Word have a way to tell us if it is complete? Is there some internal formula that lets us know all the books it contains are all of what God intended us to have? Bible Numerology, the study of numerical relationships in Scripture, has some fascinating answers for us. While this may be an area skeptics become vocal on, think about this. God is the Creator of our universe and its systems. We as tiny human beings have “discovered” that the universe is run in accordance with mathematical principles. If God’s universe works in accordance with numbers, then is it such a stretch to see that His Word, which reveals His plan to us, is numerical as well? Join us in our discovery of the Bible’s amazing and authentic teachings!  Continue on with your studies in Part IV...

Can we know about mistranslations without being students of ancient Hebrew and Greek? Watch this short vlog then listen to the full podcast of the same name for more details.

In Part I of our series, we examined the evidence that the Bible is an historically-validated document. Ancient manuscripts like the Dead Sea Scrolls demonstrate that what we have today in Scripture is amazingly faithful to the original. We ended that conversation by reviewing modern translations and the question of what are considered the most accurate transitions into English. Today our trek of discovery continues with a review of biblical texts with significant rendering differences from one translation to the next. This can be a hard study and may provoke both emotional and intellectual disagreements. Our single goal here is to understand the will and mind of our Holy God. What about the languages? A glaring question arises as we breach the understanding of ancient languages used to assemble our Holy Bible. How can we possibly do this without being students of ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek? What assurance can we have that what we are researching will bring us truth? The answer here is two-fold. First, we have the existing works of hundreds of scholars over hundreds of years who were and are experts in these languages. Their work was done in different times and with different approaches. When there is a general consensus on hard questions reached in these circumstances it becomes very meaningful. Second, we are blessed to live at a time when we have some amazing study helps available at our very fingertips. Concordances, Interlinear Bibles, Dictionaries and Commentaries all contribute to our ability to find truth. If this sounds overwhelming, let us help you with that. Check out our November 16, 2020 podcast “Has the Bible Been Mistranslated and Misunderstood? (Part II)”. We break down how these study helps work while keying into the ancient language expertise so readily available. This puts us in a position to examine Scriptures - not as experts but as well-informed students looking for truth. What we find is remarkable! Some Scriptures we have always read without any second thought are incorrectly rendered in the Common Version. For instance, we found evidence that parts of 1 John 5:7-8 were added after the fact. In the King James Version, these verses read as follows: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” A big question is what parts do NOT belong in the Bible.  A bigger question is why! How do we know for sure something was inappropriately added to the Holy Text? Obviously, this is a conversation that needs to be engaged in with great care. Our respect for the Holy Word of God demands our diligence as we consider these things. We invite you to join us for Part II of this series as we consider several texts that have been altered. This is a journey you may never forget!  Continue on with your studies in Part III...  

The Bible is the foundation of our faith. We believe it to be the mind of God expressed to humanity. Its purpose is to tell us things we cannot deduce from nature -  like where we come from, how we got to the present time and where we are going. The Bible shows us the heights of the plans and purposes of God and the depths of the experiences of sin and death. It shows us right and wrong, light and darkness, and answers questions about eternity. This book is a compilation of writings by many authors over a span of over 1,600 years. In spite of all of its wisdom, history, insight and prophecy, many questions swirl around the Bible's authenticity. How were its individual books chosen? Why are there so many translations? Why is there so much disagreement about its message? How do we KNOW it is the inspired word of God? Join us now as we embark on a search to discover the origins and development of our Bible. What's the canon? Let’s start by considering how the books in the Bible got there. To do this, we need to consider what’s called the "canon of Scripture.” The basic definition of “canon” is a standard, as in a standard of measure. What we find is there were three basic principles for a book to be considered part of the Bible. First, the book had to have been authored by a prophet, apostle or someone associated with them. Second, the book had to clearly be in line with the other books of the Bible. Third, it had to be widely-accepted by early church leaders as being inspired by God. Jesus regularly quoted from the Old Testament It is interesting to note that Jesus clearly recognized the Old Testament and its books as his guide. He quoted several of them and oftentimes referred to them as “the Scriptures.”  This gives great credibility to the Old Testament. In fact, the Old and New Testaments are the two best attested works in all of ancient history. Now that we have an inkling of how the books in the Bible got there, we need to ask about the books that didn’t make the cut. Why would the Gospel of Peter and the Gospel of Thomas be left out? And what about other books like the Book of Enoch? While we’re at it, where does the Apocrypha (a series of Old Testament books that is in some but not most Bibles) stand? Are these books flawed or somehow out of favor? If so, why? Check out our November 09, 2020 podcast, “Has the Bible Been Mistranslated and Misunderstood? (Part I) for more. We delve deeply into these questions and search for answers that are not only logical but historically authentic as well. Reviewing historical facts and evidence and figuring out how the Bible came to be can be a complex endeavor. The great news is that along with that complexity, you will find a profound journey that can deepen your faith. Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired while learning about the foundations of your beliefs! This important series continues with Part II...

Politics. It’s a word that represents a world of power, prestige and problems. It’s a word that conjures up anger, division and disrespect. It is a word that often gives us a sense of retreat and uncomfortable acceptance. Sometimes I think we forget that the ideal perspective of political power is to serve the needs of the people. With the utter lack of tolerance society seems to have embraced in dealing with political and social issues, what role should a Christian play? Are we supposed to pick the side we think is most just and righteous? Are we obliged to stand for principles? If so, what principles and what about the need for compromise? Would that change anything? What would Jesus and the apostles do if they lived in our time? What should we do to best stand for our beliefs and discipleship? Christians under Roman rule Both Peter and Paul wrote down advice as to how Christians should respond to the governmental powers of their day. Much of what they said had to do with respect for authorities, as they are in place to promote doing good. This is interesting as they were under Roman rule. Though they did have strong religious freedom, they were also limited as to how they lived their lives politically. It looks like both Peter and Paul were telling the young Christian church to appreciate what they had, be good citizens and be faithful to God always. Fast forward about 2,000 years. What does this mean for us here and now? Many of us live in countries of greater freedom than the early Christian church of the 1st century CE. Does the fact that our freedom is markedly different create an environment of more complex responsibilities? I would say the answer is an unequivocal yes. What are we supposed to do? So, what is required of Christians in this age of freedom? Are we to participate in politics as a good citizen should? Should we stand apart from those things because Christ is our King and we live for his kingdom? While figuring out these questions is difficult, where we set our foundation on which to build our answer is not. It all comes down to Christian liberty. While we are to make decisions in our lives according to this liberty, we are also warned to not let our liberty be used inappropriately. Application of our Christian liberty is reflected in our attitude. So, with all the wrangling in the world of politics, how are YOU doing with that? Are you able to stay above the fray? Are you on the winning side of the battle of emotions versus principles? Can you accept the conscience of your brothers and sisters who see the whole political involvement issue differently? Check out our November 2, 2020 podcast, “Are We Supporting the Right World Leaders?” for more.  We break down the principles Christians need to be righteous and we insert the profound teachings of Jesus at every step. These are powerful lessons for difficult and trying times!

Life and death can be confusing, and we generally fear the death part of the equation. We all want life to mean something. For Christians, that meaning comes through what we do with the one life we are now living. By focusing ourselves on being like Jesus in the here and now, we make the world around us better. By God’s grace and if we are faithful, we have an eternity with Jesus later. For those who believe in reincarnation, it is very different. They see this life as one stop in a massive cycle of lives that eventually will produce a purification and unification in a god-like state. So, if Christianity is all about attaining perfection and reincarnation is essentially about the same thing, are they compatible? In Part I of this series, we spent significant time establishing the nature of the human soul as mortal. The Scriptures are clear that when created, Adam became a living soul; he wasn’t given one. Having established this may clear things up for us, but it is far beyond the belief systems of the billions who believe in reincarnation. So, what do these people believe?  How do they see humanity, the soul, earthly life and the spirit world? While I admittedly do not have any personal experience with this belief, I will attempt to explain what I have learned from research. Simply put, reincarnation encompasses the belief that we are inherently spiritual beings having an earthly experience. The implication is that each and every “soul” is on an individual journey to spiritual fulfillment.  Reincarnation into another human or a lower form of life is a step forward or backwards as you pursue pure spirituality. After undisclosed tens or hundreds or thousands of these changes, the end result for each is supposed to be godlikeness. What about the evil eye? Check out our October 26, 2020 podcast, “Ghosts, Reincarnation and Humanity – What’s Real? (Part II) for more. We look into some actual reincarnation claims and more of its philosophy. We also discuss the huge role that amulets and “evil eye” jewelry play in our human desire to ward off evil influences. Turns out that these types of physical trinkets have been credited with protective powers for thousands of years, across many cultures. How should we as Christians treat them? This is an enormous topic! We also answer the many claims some make that the Bible - and specifically Jesus - teach reincarnation. We look at the Scriptures in question, consider their context and attempt to answer the questions with scriptural harmony. Our podcast ends with a side-by-ide comparison of the spiritual journeys that reincarnation and biblical Christianity offer. This comparison highlights the many differences between the two philosophies. We look at the individual experience reincarnation describes compared to the human family experience the Bible adheres to. What we find in all of this is remarkable and inspiring.  Join us and see for yourself!

Are ghosts real?  Is reincarnation a legitimate process in the patterns of life? For billions of people in our world today, the answers to one or both of these questions is a resounding yes.  It all has to do with the mystery of what happens after we die. Life is precious, and because we cannot physically see what happens after death, humanity longs for an answer to our mortality. For all the ages that humanity has existed, we have found explanations to bridge the gap between what we know and what science cannot confirm. For many, there is what they consider substantial evidence in defense of these beliefs. Is there a way to know the truth about these things? As Christians, the best we can do is use the Bible as our basis. To the best of our ability, we will address what is brought forth as evidence with our clearest thinking. The Bible does not support a belief in ghosts While there are isolated scriptural events one can argue about, (we will touch on these later) we need solid proof. The best place to start is at the beginning. It would seem reasonable to base our understanding on the clearest biblical statements we can find. Ideally, we also want to access the cleanest context available. We want one that assures us there are no unexpected details that would alter meanings. It is no surprise that the Bible supplies such statements and context. The statements come from God Himself The context is regarding the basic rules and consequences given to Adam. There is NO better source and context because this is where it literally all began. God creates man from the “dust of the ground” and gives him rules for living. The rules are violated and God specifically says that Adam will die. God gives no indication of the body dying and a soul living on. He is emphatic that Adam, the man as a whole, will return to the elements from which he came. This simple statement of God is verified in many other Old and New Testament Scriptures. It is telling us that ghosts don’t exist because humanity is actually dead after they die. What about the resurrection? And heaven? What about the supernatural? All these things remain intact according to Scripture and need to be understood in their proper context. The key matter for us now is what do we do with the idea of ghosts. One potentially major biblical contradiction here is the account of King Saul going to the witch of Endor and having her summon the prophet Samuel from the dead. How do we explain that? Check out our October 19, 2020 podcast, “Ghosts, Reincarnation and Humanity – What’s Real? (Part I)" for more. We carefully examine and answer the King Saul debacle, dive deeply into Scriptures on life and death and discuss what roll demons play in all these things. Part II deals with reincarnation. This journey is not for the faint-hearted, but it is an important journey well worth taking.  

When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, He set a standard that would influence the world for ages to come.  Those ten statements of direction summed up all of what humanity would need to live godly and productive lives. The first two of those Commandments were to have no other gods before God himself and to not create and worship idols. While we know what these things meant for ancient Israel, what do they mean for us? Are we, as Christians, bound by those Commandments? If so, how? What does having other gods look like in the 21st century? And what about idols? Back in those days, people chiseled them out of wood or stone. We don’t do that anymore, so how would making and worshipping idols fit into or day? Why did God make the First Commandment about Him? It is not a sign of arrogance, but it is a sign of authority. After all, God is THE Creator and therefore worthy of ALL praise and honor. His worthiness reminds us of our need to give Him our unbroken allegiance. “Having no other gods before Me” is the unquestioned basis for the other nine Commandments.  Without this singular focus on our Creator, Christians cannot possibly build a balanced, integrity-driven personal and spiritual life. Having said all this, having other gods before God is deceptively easy. This can happen in a very imperceptible way because it has to do with what we worship in our hearts. It is a simple and natural thing to prop up loyalty and allegiance to many things in ways no one ever sees.  Other gods can take the form of people or power. They can also be things like success, ego and social position. Adopting another god to occupy the Father’s rightful place in our hearts undermines God’s sacred and rightful ascendency. This can only lead to compromised thinking and behavior. So, what about the Second Commandment that tells us not to make and worship idols? What is the difference here? Violating this is the outward manifestation of having already violated the First Commandment. You will only make an idol to something that you already have put in a place of honor. Idols in today’s world are vastly different than idols of ancient times.  While we don’t carve them out of wood or stone, we certainly and easily collect them in the form of possessions, pictures and symbols. Check out our October 12, 2020 podcast, “Do I Have Other Gods and Idols in My Life?” for more. We clearly define what having other gods and idols looks like today. We then walk through a profound scriptural reasoning from the book of 2 Peter that reveals a process for keeping our allegiance to God intact and vital. Everything about our world today draws our loyalty away from its rightful owner, and we really have to fight this trend. The battle is winnable if you know how. Join us for a winning strategy! Study the rest of the Commandments with us to see how they are still valid for Christians today.

Conflict is everywhere! This is not necessarily a bad thing, as proper conflict management at every phase of our lives provides some of life’s most fertile growth experiences. The problem is, we are NOT taught how to manage our conflicts. In the first of our 2-part series, we listed and discussed the Five Degenerating Stages of Conflict. We saw plain evidence that we generally approach our conflicts with personal opinions, preferences, passion and a desire to win. What tends to get overlooked are the solid, emotionless principles of truth and righteousness. If you look at the social and political conflicts in our world, you will see the sad and chaotic results of such an approach. So, how do we turn the tables? As Christians, how do we rise above the fray and manage the conflicts before us with godliness and grace while firmly standing for what is right? The answers are straightforward, sound and scriptural! The first part of this series focused on the problem of conflict. It outlined in detail how easily and destructively conflicts generally end up as private wars with no resolution in sight. In this second part, we focused on keeping that degrading process from developing. Curtailing the dismantling of relationships resulting from out of control conflicts is, to say the least, a daunting and extreme mission.  For a Christian, success is only possible if we read, adopt and follow the powerful biblical strategies we have at our fingertips. This may sound easy, but it’s not. Where do we start? While the Bible contains answers for a world full of problems, it is not written like a self-help book. You can’t just go to the Table of Contents and look up the “Conflict Resolution” chapter. Our approach needs to have two parts:  We need to understand what the real problem is that we are trying to solve. To proactively solve the conflicts we may have with others, our focus should be on ourselves and not the conflict. There is a big question we must answer before applying any biblical strategies. “Am I willing to sell out to biblical principles above my own feelings and opinions for the sake of resolution?” If we are determined to adopt a yes answer, the scriptures are poised to fill in the strategy.  This brings us to the second part of our approach... Open the book! A powerful set of Scriptures to guide us through conflict resolution is found in James 4:7-10. Merely reading these texts probably won’t do much for us. Instead, we need to absorb their wisdom within the context of our conflicts. Check out our October 5, 2020 podcast, “Can Biblical Strategies Resolve Serious Conflicts? Part II” for more. We review the naturally-degenerating stages of conflict and examine scriptural principles to apply at each and every stage. We ask the hard questions and find additional biblical principles to answer them. Biblical strategies CAN resolve serious conflicts.  The only question is, how willing are we to find and apply them?  

Wearing a mask when you go out. Cleaning and sanitizing anything and everything all the time. Social distancing. Avoiding crowded places.  Working from home or not being able to work at all. Seeing friends and family on Zoom instead of in person. It is enough to make the strongest among us to feel battle worn. We are edgier, suffer higher levels of anxiety and are lonely. All of this because of COVID-19, a microscopic virus. How small is this virus? For a very unscientific illustration, imagine flatly stacking up eight sticky notes equals about 1 millimeter in height. A micron is one one-thousandth of that height. It would take about eight coronavirus particles to equal one micron! That means you could stack up 8,000 COVID particles, and they would be equal to the eight sticky notes that are a millimeter thick. How can something so minute turn our lives upside down? As Christians, how do we cope? How is your spiritual immune system? Because we are talking about a virus, it’s logical to talk about becoming immune to it. While we cannot control COVID-19’s physical effects, we certainly can be proactive about its negative emotional and spiritual effects. This is not easy, but it is possible if we focus on enhancing our spiritual immune system. Spiritual immunity comes from our faith and its source, the Bible. Resetting our mind on these things is a critical first step to managing the widespread fallout from the pandemic. RESET Whenever you reset anything, you bring it back to its foundational starting point.  For Christians, this boils down to rehearsing and repeating the "why" of our faith.  We are Christians because we are sinners and inherently cannot stand righteously before God. Jesus’ ransom sacrifice changed that. Our faith in him and our following in his steps grants us sonship to God. What does this have to do with managing the issues of the pandemic? Everything! As God’s sons, we are thereby able to stand knowing His providence is guiding our experiences. What better immunity booster can there be than having God’s hand in your everyday? With this resetting of our minds, we can now access the practicality of dealing with the specifics of our COVID experiences. What if: you lost your job or your business is in jeopardy of folding? your kids are seriously challenged with distance learning? you or your family members become ill? you lose a loved one? the isolation from all this distancing is bringing you to depths of anxiety or depression you have never experienced? your marriage or family relationships are being strained? Check out our September 28, 2020 podcast, “Is Your COVID-19 Christianity Still Being Tested?” We look at these serious issues and delve into how to work through them. The bottom line is simple: As Christians, you and I are being tested through this pandemic, yet God never gives us tests beyond our capability. That means His victory in our lives is waiting to be found.  Let’s find it together!

Conflict is everywhere.  Small children need to be guided through conflict when they learn about sharing and scream, “...But that’s MINE!” Adolescents could use some serious education through conflict when they begin to believe their parents are ignorant and rebelliously demand their way. Adults (especially spouses) need practical coaching when they clash with one another’s viewpoints on issues of importance. When it comes to social issues and politics, most of us - whether we know it or not - are desperate for direction in our deep conflicts, for without it we will destroy one another. The point is obvious. Conflicts abound at every stage of life and in most every circumstance in life. What can we do? How do we not just cope but overcome all of this conflict? Fortunately, the Bible is full of conflicts and therefore full of solutions! Stages of conflict The good news is all conflicts are not the same. The bad news is most conflicts end up in the category of not only unsolvable but massively destructive as well. Why would this be? To get a clear look at this, let’s look at the characteristics of a conflict that can be solved. According to John Maxwell, well-known leadership author and teacher, this kind of conflict is at the “Remedy Stage.” Here, there is not only a desire to fix the problem, but it is accompanied by commitment and belief. The two sides work at communicating. This sounds like a good recipe for success, and it is! So, why do most of our conflicts seem to degenerate into frenzied, unholy wars? Winners and losers Consider the simple thought that we don’t want to solve our conflicts; instead, we just want to win. The difference between finding a fair and equitable resolution to a conflict and overpowering the other side is incalculable. The conflict resolution we’re focusing on is about coexisting with fellow human beings in our own society. We’re not talking about sports competition or a matter of national security. Therefore, winning in a conflict situation triggers competition while resolution triggers communication. Winning triggers the naming of a loser, while resolution triggers trust. Winning triggers the demeaning of the other side, while resolution triggers respect. When we just want to win in our conflicts, we are really saying we simply don’t care about those on the other side. So, what do we do?  Check out our September 21, 2020 podcast, “Can Biblical Strategies Solve Serious Conflicts? (Part 1)” for more. We begin by exploring many of the ways conflicts can arise and identify trends that bring us towards or away from resolution. We invest significant time examining the five degenerating stages of conflict and give scriptural examples of each. Conflict resolution is rapidly becoming a lost art in today’s world. This two-part series is designed to plainly put the issues on the table and determine appropriate Christian responses. We ALL deal with many conflicts in life, so why not learn how to address them in the godliest ways possible?

Jesus did a lot of teaching in parables.  He chose this method primarily for the purpose of hiding his real meaning from the public in fulfillment of a prophecy in Isaiah. Occasionally, he spoke a parable meant for his disciples. The story of the Wise and Foolish Virgins is such a case. We know the story is about some of the virgins being prepared and the other virgins who were not, so is that the point? Turns out this just scratches the surface!  This parable was a story to prepare them for the coming centuries.  More than that, it was a story that Jesus used to outline what those who would be faithful to him would be like.  This parable not only describes the character of the faithful, it is a major prophecy that has reached its fulfillment in our day! Symbolism Christians have a wide variety of interpretations relating to the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins because of some specific details. First and foremost is the symbolism regarding the virgins themselves. In wedding traditions of ancient times in Israel, these ten individuals were associated with the bride-to-be. One task was to await the arrival of the bridegroom. Because the bridegroom obviously pictures Jesus himself, one would think the bride to be would picture his faithful followers. Many Christians adhere to this assumption and interpret the parable accordingly. With the symbolism of the virgins, however, we see it very differently. We believe this parable to be a lesson for all of Jesus’ true followers throughout the last 2,000 years of the gospel being preached. We see this as a story given to illustrate the experience of the true gospel church, not the experiences of individuals. With this in mind, looking at the symbolism of the lamps, the oil and the vessels is a whole different story. Why such an interpretation? It is an obvious conclusion once we back up and view the larger context of the parable. Jesus' return Jesus spoke this on the heels of his prophecy about his return. At the beginning of Matthew 24, his disciples asked him three pointed questions. One of those was when he would return. Jesus knew there would be long and difficult years before this event. He warned his followers to be accepting and alert. This was not just a message for them, it was a message for every Christian down through the age who would be begotten of God’s spirit. Check out our September 14, 2020 podcast, “What Does Jesus Expect From Us?” for more. We put the details in place as we absorb the prophetic nature of this parable. We drill down into the details and see what Jesus is saying he expects from his followers. The lessons are plenteous and practical. Gain a sense of some of the quiet history of the true church. Hear what Jesus has always expected from his followers - both then and now - and walk away refreshed!

Slavery.  It is a function of a sin ridden imperfect human race. When we hear of people being slaves the reality of what that means has a dramatic range. There was the inhuman harshness of Egyptian domination over Israel and the enslavement of Africans a few hundred years ago. Then there were the Roman and Greek versions of slavery. There was the indentured servitude of several cultures. In all cases, it is easy for us who live in the 21st century to look back and wonder why. We think we know better. Here’s the problem – at this very moment, cruel and heartless slavery still exists. It includes the abuse of minors, sex trafficking and other forms of inhuman behavior. We know that God has allowed it to occur among his chosen people. What kind was it, and why did He allow it? Sometimes you wish you had different words to describe circumstances. Depending on the time in history and depending on the culture, the word "slavery" is a good example. Go back to the time when Israel was enslaved in Egypt and we begin a good comparison.  Israel developed as a nation within Egypt because of Joseph’s society-saving actions to prepare for seven years of famine.  His family was respectfully moved to Egypt and flourished.  Generations later, the Egyptian king became afraid of their numbers.  His solution was to enslave them – the whole nation. That slavery became cruel and heartless.  With God’s power, Moses led Israel out of their cruel bondage and they became independent.  The slavery they experienced was the horrible and heartless kind we think of when we hear the word slave. Why would God permit such a thing? It might be surprising to note that under the Laws God gave Israel, they were allowed to have slaves of their own.  There are two primary reasons why: All of society worked that way. Those who did not have land or flocks had to sustain themselves. Those who had debts or loss had to get by. There were no steady 9 to 5 jobs then; instead, there was servitude. I place myself in your service and my family has food and shelter. God was specific in His Laws about NOT treating slaves the way Israel was treated in Egypt. If you were a slave in Israel, you rested on the Sabbath Day and were considered part of the household.  There were Laws that prohibited slaves from being abused. With its required compassionate treatment, this slavery conjures a very different meaning that is still hard but not cruel. Check out our September 7, 2020 podcast, “Why did God Allow Slavery in the Bible?” for more. We expand on the Old Testament biblical principles and digest the New Testament perspective on the matter. We also address modern 21st century slavery which, believe it or not, is a massive, rampant, world-wide problem. Slavery is and always has been a big issue. Listen in to gain a strong biblical perspective so you can stand more firmly in such an evil day!

Every Christian group proclaims what they believe to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we all claim to follow his leading and his life. The problem arises when we compare our doctrine, principles and life objectives with one another. Simply stated, it all just does not line up. There are SO many variations of Christianity; it is safe to say that we can find disagreement on just about any aspect of what Christianity is. The age-old question is, who's right? How do I know that the view of Christianity I adhere to is sound? How do I know that what I stand for is truly a God-honoring belief system? The only way we can think to answer these questions is to look at Christianity solely based on Scripture. Let’s put aside tradition and try to eliminate our bias and see how God’s word describes the Gospel of Jesus! The gospel did not start with Jesus While there is no question about his central role in it, the good news was put in place when sin entered. In proclaiming consequences for sin, God in a veiled way told Satan that the seed of the woman would destroy him. The New Testament book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus will do exactly that. The point is that God proclaimed the remedy for sin before Adam and Eve had a family. Because Adam sinned willfully and Jesus died for him, we can see that the unborn family of the sinful Adam was already under the blood of Jesus. There are MANY Scriptures supporting this concept. All of humanity will have a legitimate opportunity for life! Traditions Throughout the history of Christianity, traditions have grown. In many cases, they have replaced the core values of the original message. Facing this debacle presents two challenges.  First, we need to be courageous enough to willingly and thoroughly examine the original gospel. The Scriptures must be allowed to stand on their own message. Second, we need to be willing to let go of any teaching or tradition that according to Scripture we conclude is false. This is hard in light of Christianity’s long denominational history of belief systems.  Why would we even question their adherence to the gospel? The most direct answer to this comes from the New Testament itself. Jesus, Paul and Peter, Jude and John all warned about the message being corrupted over time. They warned us to be diligent in our adherence to truth. Check out our August 31, 2020 podcast, “Does Christianity Preach the Gospel?” for more.  We examined and challenged several common Christian teachings in light of the Bible. Then we looked at things like speaking in tongues, healing and financial support.  Analyzing the way these things were exercised in the early church, we compared their use today. We also looked at the teachings of hell and prosperity, seeking the New Testament for clarity. Do you have the courage to examine such things? This journey is not for the faint of heart!  

How is Christianity supposed to be organized?  If you look at the countless denominations we have today, you will see a wide variety of interpretations regarding leadership. With some, it all boils down to one individual leader. With others, it is a committee of several. In many cases, those in authority have the responsibility of delegating who is to oversee each of the local congregations. With so much variety, have you ever wondered if there is actually a right way to do all of this? If we’re able to go to church and feel blessed, does it even matter? What did the early church do? How did they decide which church leaders would lead where? Did the apostles give us a God-sanctioned system to perpetuate leadership for the flock all down through the age until now? Jesus set the example The first and perhaps most important aspect of Christian leadership is what Jesus himself dramatically instructed. The night before his crucifixion, his apostles were discussing amongst themselves who would be greatest in the kingdom. When they sat down to eat, Jesus as their teacher and master, humbly washed their feet. His message was simple: I am greater than all of you, and yet I am humble before all of you. Any greatness you may strive for or achieve requires you express this same kind of humility. Jesus would teach them many things that night, but no other lesson was so profoundly demonstrated as their feet washing. The New Testament describes Christian leadership by using a variety of words. We read about pastors, bishops, overseers, elders and shepherds.  We first ask if these all represent different positions within a hierarchy in the church. Most of Christianity has adopted this approach, but what if this system was not the intended result? What if the New Testament writers (Paul and Peter specifically) had something else in mind? To find out, we need to see how these responsibilities are written about and their requirements. What is meant by "ordain"? Another critical aspect of Christian leadership is how it is decided who is put in a position of responsibility. Today when we think of church leaders, we think of individuals who are “ordained” or appointed. The Bible does say to “ordain” elders in every church, but was it by the same process we use today? Remember, there were no seminary schools in the early church. This means the logistics of finding and placing congregational leadership was entirely different. Here again, we need to understand what the intentions of the New Testament writings were. All we have done here is raise a lot of questions! Check out our August 24, 2020 podcast, “Does My Church Leadership Have it Right?” for answers. We examine the meanings of pastor, bishop, elder and the others to see how these responsibilities dovetail together. Then we dig into the process that Paul specifically relayed to the churches about how their leadership was to be established. We find what we believe to be simple and inspiring biblical truth. Listen in and tell us what you think!

When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, they were in a specific order. Did you ever wonder why the last Commandment was to not covet? To covet in its most basic sense is “to have a strong desire for” something. What was there about the human propensity to want that God saw fit to leave it as the final thing to remember? Because wanting spiritually good things is good, we must assume that all coveting can’t be bad. The key here is figuring out where to draw the line. Are there degrees of goodness or evil attached to what and how we covet? Fortunately, the Bible provides us with ample evidence so we can not only perceive where the line is, but we can also learn how to stay away from it. In Genesis, when God created the Garden of Eden, it says every tree was “pleasing” to the eye. The word for “covet” in the tenth commandment is the very same word as “pleasing” in Genesis. This means God built humanity to possess this characteristic of desire, so it's natural and healthy to have it. The problem with coveting or delighting in something is not the fact that we do it; rather, it is the object of that emotion. Coveting is a sin of the heart It develops on the inside where others cannot necessarily see it. Biblical history tells us Satan was the original coveter. He is prophetically spoken of in Isaiah as having his mind and heart set on raising himself up to the level of God. He focused on his throne being in the place of God’s throne.  Satan, then known as Lucifer, desired something that was not and could not be his. He wanted God’s power and place taken from God and reserved for himself. This is the kind of coveting the tenth commandment warns us about. Israel’s tenth commandment focused on not coveting several things specifically relating to our neighbor. This focus reinforces two important points:  It confirms that all desire to want or delight in things is not evil, as “coveting” is not categorically condemned. It tells us just how bad it is to want your neighbor’s house, or spouse or life. The difference here is important. It reveals how a healthy desire for something can become dangerous when that desire has jealousy and obsession attached to it. In the New Testament, being covetous is always and alarmingly associated with the worst kinds of sins. So, how do we put all this together? Check out our August 17, 2020 podcast, “Thou Shalt Not Covet – Is it Wrong to Want?” for more.  We break down the details of what the 10th Commandment warns against. We pinpoint the pattern that always exists when we inappropriately covet and uncover scriptural remedies.  Coveting, having a desire, can be really detrimental. But it can also be a powerful motivator for good.  Learn the difference so you can live the difference! Study the rest of the Commandments with us to see how they are still valid for Christians today.

We live in volatile times. Justifiable demonstrations about justifiable concerns are overshadowed and even hijacked by those who simply seek anarchy and overthrow. We are descending into a tribal approach to our issues. If you do not agree with my perspective and my group, then you are considered a bigoted outsider who deserves to be shunned and put down. As sad as this is, it is nothing new. Back in Jesus' day, similar issues existed and even served as standards for living! Fortunately for us, Jesus spoke a simple story about the Good Samaritan that shook this unholy standard to its very core. His story was a response to the simple question, who is my neighbor? It seems vitally appropriate that we relisten and relearn the lessons Jesus’ simple story of the Good Samaritan. Everyone knows the basic story of The Good Samaritan. He is a guy who, while traveling on the road, comes across a Jewish man who has been robbed and beaten. The Samaritan rescues him by taking him to a nearby inn, caring for him through the night and paying for his care for another two days. If that were the whole story, it would be a wonderful and inspiring reminder of what human compassion looks like. But there was more to this story – much more. A deeper agenda A lawyer stimulated Jesus to tell this story. He asks Jesus about the Jewish Law, and Jesus replies with scripturally supported clarity. But the lawyer is not satisfied, as he seems to have a deeper agenda than just conversing about the loftiness of the Law. He is the one who asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Because Jesus sees a deviousness in this lawyer’s questioning, he answers him by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews In Jesus’ day, the Samaritan people and the Jewish people were very much at odds with one another. Even though they shared the same heritage, each looked upon the other with disdain. The two peoples had major differences along political, religious and moral lines. One Bible commentator reported that if a Samaritan man even touched a Jewish man, he would seek the nearest body of water to jump into for cleansing! Jesus spoke this parable because of the lawyer’s question. He framed the characters in the story to draw his audience into the drama. The meaning of this story is profound, for it shows a Samaritan man treating his cultural enemy as he would treat his friend. Check out our August 10, 2020 podcast, “Do I Treat You as My Neighbor?” for more! We delve into the details of all the little things the Samaritan did to become a humble hero. We examine the reactions of other Jewish men who passed by the beaten man before the Samaritan got there. Most importantly, we assemble and dwell on the lessons of what it means to be a neighbor to our fellow human beings. This simple story of compassion can serve as a gentle yet jarring wake-up call. Who is YOUR neighbor?

Religious faith is widely accepted as contrary to reason.  It is assumed to be built upon mystical and even fantastical thinking.  It is thought that religious faith, when put to a test of reasoned criticism, would fail miserably. This conclusion may be true regarding many different religious systems in our world.  We can’t speak for any faith except Christianity and Judaism as taught in the Bible.  Regarding biblical faith, it is our firm stance that it will not only stand up to a reason test but is entirely dependent upon reason to exist. These conclusions are exactly opposite from what is generally accepted as true.  To support them we will begin a reasoned look at what biblical faith is, how it is meant to work and why it brings value to life. Mark Twain once said, “Faith is believing what you know ain’t so.”  For many, this statement sums up their perception of Christian faith.  It is basically saying, we understand that religion requires belief in what we all, deep down know is simply not real.  While this may be a widespread and popular perspective, it is also very flawed and unfortunate.  What people who are opposed to living a life of faith assume is not at all what the Bible describes as a faith-based life. The problems begin with the definition of faith A common English language definition of "faith" is believing in something without proof.  Contrarily, the Bible defines faith as to believe something because you have sufficient proof.  It is not fanciful, wishful or emotional; rather, it is a sound conclusion based on the weighing out of evidence.  It’s no wonder there is such a gap between the opposing sides of this argument.  We are talking about two completely different things! Enter the concept of reason which includes duly weighing the facts and evidence of a matter. Those who see living by faith as foolishness conclude reason is in direct opposition to that lifestyle.  They see the engagement of logical fact-based analysis as a surefire way to rightfully destroy any perceived credibility of faith.  On the other hand, those who see faith as a basis for their daily life see reason as an integral part of the formula.  They see facts, logic and thoughtful conclusions as necessary ingredients to their faith structure.  Can both sides be true? Check out our August 3, 2020 podcast, “Is Faith Built on Reason or is Reason Built on Faith?” for more.  Let's put faith and reason in perspective from a Christian perspective.  We examine how reason is traced through biblical commentary on things like the order and complexity of the universe.  Next, we look at the intricacy of the planet Earth and that of our physical being, documenting what the Bible reasons on these things.  Faith and reason need each other.  The Bible is specific as to how they work together in a Christian’s life.  Bible truth is built on reason and faith is built on Bible truth!

Our society is so advanced we can access the world from the palm of our hand.  It is so sophisticated we can communicate our thoughts globally in an instant.  But it is so self-absorbed we can design a reality with our own ego at its center.  In the ancient history of the Jewish nation, the third of the Ten Commandments said not to take God’s name in vain.  We typically think of people using the name of God in a flippant, careless or disrespectful way as taking His name in vain.  While this is true, it is NOT the point of the Commandment.  On the contrary, all of what society has become presents a much more accurate picture of what taking God’s name in vain is all about.  The fact is, it has become painfully easy to disrespect God.  What should we be looking out for? Taking God’s name in vain is not about words.  That would be too shallow, and frankly, too easy.  When we think about the Ten Commandments, we need to realize they were given to God’s chosen people as a primary guide for living.  The first three are all about how His people were to perceive God and what God was to expect of them.  The first commandment, to have no other gods in life but God himself, was about an internal decision of loyalty.  The second, to not have any idols in one’s life, was about external actions of allegiance.  The third, to not take God’s name in vain, was about a lifestyle of genuine godliness. It's way more than just OMG The phrase “take God’s name in vain” has the meaning of carrying the name of God as a label for your life in an empty or hollow way.  It means you talk about upholding God’s name, but what you do does not fulfill your words.  You are essentially leading others to see you as godly when in fact your priorities are far from God.  To Israel it meant to live under the Law of God but not to live by the law of God. To be blunt, taking God’s name in vain is to be a hypocrite.  This is a serious charge.  It is easy to look at biblical examples in both the Old and New Testaments and point out such hypocrisy.  It is much harder to just stop, look in the mirror and start asking ourselves about how we personally handle God’s name.  And how does our church handle God’s name? Ten words of Jesus Check out our July 27, 2020 podcast, “What Does It Mean to Take God’s Name in Vain?” for more.  We examine several biblical examples of failure along these lines and look for lessons.  We ask the hard questions about the details of our own lives as we cope with the godlessness of 21st century living.  Most importantly, we look for solutions.  We reveal ten words of Jesus that put this whole treatment of God’s name issue in perspective.  Ten words of Jesus. Don’t you want to know what they are? Study the rest of the Commandments with us to see how they are still valid for Christians today.

Christian praise and worship. As with many things subject to interpretation, you will find different applications of these things within the Christian community. For some, praise and worship are expressed in music. This drives their gatherings and feeds positive emotions towards God. For others, they include music and inspiration. They play a significant role in their gatherings as a focusing element for being open to God’s word. Others still have praise and worship in a smaller role. Who is right? Does it matter? Are these two parts of the same thing or are they entirely different? How do I know if I am paying enough attention to praising God? Am I living a life that expresses an attitude of worship? So, what is worship anyway? Is it reverently focusing on God while attending a service? Does worship thrive on emotions drawn from hymns and psalms being sung and recited with others? Is it a state of mind or a state of being? If you want to understand true Christian worship, you’d probably open your Bible to see what Jesus said about it. Surprisingly, when it comes to worship, Jesus never even mentioned it his followers. Not once! In fact, the only time he taught about worship was to a Samaritan woman while having a conversation at a well about what Jesus called “living water.” In spirit and in truth The Samaritan woman brings up the traditions of Samaritan worship of God in the mountain and the Jewish practice of worshipping God in Jerusalem.  Jesus’ response is surprising to her and revealing to us. He tells her God’s true worshippers will now worship Him "in spirit and in truth." Jesus is saying that true connected worship of God will no longer be bound to any location. Because Jesus was here, worshiping God will now be different.  After this conversation, Jesus never again teaches specifically about worship. What are we supposed to do with this? Learn! The whole concept of worship is much bigger than many of us might think. While the Greek word means "to bow low," the New Testament application of this action applies to how we live.  Understanding this will also give us a better sense of what it means to praise God. Praise is another huge part of this conversation. While it is a deeply important aspect of our Christian lives, it too has a different look and feel than what we see in the Old Testament. Check out our July 20,2020 podcast, “Are Praise and Worship Necessary To Be a Faithful Christian?” for more. We set the firm foundation of what worship means on a daily basis to the Christian and then consider the role of praise. We address the similarities and differences of Old and New Testament praise and focus on its power in our lives. Our worship and praise can lift and encourage others while focusing us on fulfilling God’s will daily. Most important, our worship and praise can honor God. What’s better than that?  

Everybody needs money. Like it or not, it is one of the driving forces that contribute to a successful life. As Christians, we all know we need to be aware of how we handle our money. We also look to Jesus for the core values of our entire lives, so observing what he said about it is big. It has been said that 40 percent of Jesus’ parables had to do with money. While Jesus DID talk about it regularly, he wasn’t necessarily teaching about it more than anything else. Consider that in all of Jesus’ recorded experiences and teachings, we have NO example of Jesus ever having money or even touching it! So, why would we want to learn about it from someone who never had any? Because he is Jesus! And because he holds the keys to eternal riches.  He demonstrated exactly how it should be used and how to avoid becoming its slave! Was Jesus Anti-Money? At first glance, it could be easy to conclude that Jesus was an anti-money teacher. In Matthew 6:19 he emphatically taught us to not store up treasures on earth. He said such treasures were subject to being physically corrupted and spoiled. His point was that earthly treasure cannot hold its value in comparison to heavenly treasure.  For a Christian, this should be a “mic drop” moment of reasoning. We simply cannot argue with this comparison. Does this mean Jesus was against money? Does it mean he was against saving for the future? Was he against owning property and having possessions? No on all counts. Regarding money and treasures, Jesus was teaching us to be heavenly focused while being earthly responsible. What does that mean? Let’s take the example of paying taxes, something we are all faced with. Because Jesus was the son of God and because his kingdom was not of this earth, he was a traveling preacher. Once his ministry began, he didn’t earn a living.  Instead, he spent all of his time teaching and healing. When approached about paying the Temple tax to support the Jewish faith, he paid it. When asked about paying taxes to Rome, his simple answer was to give to Caesar what is his and give to God what is His. Jesus was showing us how to be heavenly focused while being earthly responsible. Consistent on the Money Message In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus continued his teaching about handling earthly money and treasures by laying out seven points of reference with which to build our approach. Check out our July 13, 2020 podcast, “What Did Jesus Teach Us About Money?” for more. We uncover these points of reference as we review several of Jesus other teachings regarding money.  What we find is a remarkable consistency in his message. Jesus not only taught us much about fiscal responsibility, he also taught us powerful lessons regarding generosity and charity. Listen in and find out how to apply his ageless principles from the original source for Christian money management!  

Racism does not happen by accident. It can be taught and exampled to young and unknowing hearts and minds. This is troubling. Even more troubling are the maladies of ignorance, prejudice and bigotry that must be present and flourishing to feed and sustain racist thinking and actions. As Christians, the mere thought of any of these things having a home in our hearts or minds should send shivers of distress and fear through our very souls. In Part I of our 2-part series on racism, we dissected ignorance, prejudice, bigotry and racism with the eyes of knowledge and the mind of understanding. Next we seek to look at them with godly wisdom and our highest godly intentions. Wisdom. It is a simple word that carries a profound meaning. To be wise is to have knowledge, to understand that knowledge and to apply it. Wisdom’s application of knowledge reflects not merely a fact based righteousness. It reflects a compassion-driven character as well. Wisdom stands above the fray and is independent from emotion. When it comes to the racial tensions of our present day, wisdom is rarely called upon. Why? Why wouldn’t we want to follow wise and thoughtful perspective? Justifiable emotion Thomas Sowell, an American economist and social theorist once said, “The reason so many people misunderstand so many issues is not that these issues are so complex, but that people do not want a factual or analytical explanation that leaves them emotionally unsatisfied.” It's hard to imagine a more emotional topic than racism. When dealing with the potential of your entire race being relegated to the trash heap of inferiority, you get emotional. When you're being unjustly accused of devaluing the essential humanity of an entire race, you get emotional. All this emotion is justifiable... but should it be actionable? Should we gather with those of like reaction and hurt?  Hide behind the walls of our frustration? Close the door of reasoned dialogue to those on the outside? No! Enter wisdom Wisdom has the courage to seek the thinking of others and listen. It has the tenacity to find the facts, wherever they may be hidden, and examine them in their entirety. It has the good sense to draw all this input together and conclude an integrity-based course of action. We cannot even begin to deal with racism without wisdom. Check out our July 6, 2020 podcast, “How Should Christians Respond to Racism? (Part II)” for more. We seek the highest godly wisdom we can find in order to sort through this confusing and volatile pile of trouble. This podcast presents Ken's commentary. He is a black American man whose experiences and individual wisdom with racial profiling and prejudice provide needed insight. Observing the deep wisdom of Scripture, we study how the early Christian church dealt with serious racially-charged issues. We can learn to ease the racial tensions we face in our individual lives, but it requires working together!

George Floyd is dead. Needlessly. His life ended as a result of the uncalled-for brutality of a police officer. This killing has resonated throughout the United States, as well as the world. It has put some of society's hardest issues in front of our faces. Peaceful protests decrying racism and injustice have occurred all over the world. Angry riots, looting and yes, more killing has also erupted. The issues are ugly, serious and relevant.  What are we struggling with? Is it racism? Is it bigotry? Prejudice? Ignorance? As Christians, we need to be open and honest when it comes to truth. So, what is the truth about society's struggles? What is the truth we as Christians should be standing for? Words matter To appropriately engage in a discussion about racism, we need to begin with simple truths. These begin with the simple thought that words matter.  Let’s look at the word “racist.”  Whether we just hear about racism, accuse someone of it or are being accused of it, we cannot help but react emotionally.  Racism at its core is the wholesale devaluing of an entire race of people. It is believing that they are - merely because of the color of their skin - inherently less valuable and less capable than others. This belief system is not just flawed at every level, it is morally repugnant as well. As Christians, we need to stand as far away from this malady as we possibly can. Where does racism come from? How does one arrive at such a distorted viewpoint? Aside from racist tendencies being taught (which is a whole discussion in itself), racism has at its center the characteristic of ignorance. Ignorance in a broad sense is a universal human condition.  We ALL lack knowledge, education and awareness in many areas of life.  The bad news is we generally don’t know what we don’t know. This makes it easy to remain ignorant. Regarding matters such as racism, ignorance is the soil that fertilizes the prejudice and bigotry that grow it. Ignorance is one of those words that matter. Understanding it gives us the opportunity to be aware of power.  The good news is ignorance is a VERY treatable condition! Ignorance - Prejudice - Bigotry - Racism As pervasive as ignorance is, it only represents the tip of the racism iceberg.  Check out our June 29, 2020 podcast, “How Should Christians Deal with Racism? (Part 1)” for more. We begin by establishing a sound biblical perspective on racism and partiality. Advice in Proverbs points us to attaining knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  We follow the journey of Karetta and Tekiya, two Black American women who live with anxieties and fears that an average white individual may never think about.  We also seek comprehensive understanding of ignorance, prejudice, bigotry and racism. These are important words that matter.  They describe pieces of a broken heart condition that unjustly marginalizes others. Please join us for this two-part series. The path to conquering racism begins with understanding how it grows!

The spectacular biblical account of David reveals him as a warrior for God, as he protected God’s principles and righteousness. See the first episode of this series for more. It also reveals David as a man of mighty faults. He committed many grievous errors with sad consequences. We explored one of these in our second episode of this series.  Most importantly, David was also a man who never stopped trying to do better and inspire the people he led. He truly was God’s warrior, a man after God’s own heart. Know this: true warriors for God never were and should never be limited to just men. Abigail's example Abigail is one of the treasured women of the Bible who was also one of God’s warriors. When faced with potential slaughter, she calmly deescalated serious tensions, saving many lives. Her love for God was unmistakable. The example of Abigail's behavior under pressure commands attention and respect. This beautiful woman is an inspiring example. Life is a series of experiences and choices. When a new event happens that is harsh and catches us off guard, we often simply react based on our surprise and emotion. This generally is not the best course of action, and we usually end up with a bigger issue as a result. David fell into this trap. He was taken advantage of and insulted. His reaction was fierce – rage-filled warrior fierce. He gave no thought to choosing a righteous and integrity-filled response in place of the rage. The stage was set for death and disaster until Abigail, a godly woman of Israel, stepped up. She stood in front of David’s speeding train of anger and caused it to screech to a halt. Preparation from God This sounds like the drama from an adventure story, but it's better because it’s true!  What we really want to know is what happened for Abigail to be able to avert disaster? Turns out there were many things in both David and Abigail’s lives that led them to this dramatic moment. For David, his pathway had already been filled with drama. Up to the point of his fateful meeting with Abigail, he had slain a giant and served King Saul as a mighty warrior. David had become fast friends with Jonathan, the son of the king. Saul then turned on David. He was now an exile in his own country, hiding in caves for his very life. All these experiences fed David all he needed to make right choices in tough times. Check out our June 22, 2020 podcast, “What Does it Mean to be a Warrior for Truth?” for more. We put the pieces of David’s life in order leading up to what would be a destiny-defining moment. We observe Abigail’s being thrust into the role of not just peacemaker, but wise and godly counselor as well. Their story gives us a genuine grip on handling our own anger and rage. It helps us to see the value of those worthy of trust. It reminds us of the consequences of unbridled emotion.

David was a hero and anointed to become the king of Israel.  Long before he assumed the throne, he defeated Goliath in battle, contributed to the sovereignty and protection of Israel and faithfully served under King Saul.  All this happened before he was 25 years old.  Though he became a fugitive when King Saul turned on him, he never betrayed the king or God.  Many years later when he finally became king, he was a mighty and God-focused leader. This almost sounds like a happily ever after story, but it is not.  David committed some horrible sins along the way that created havoc and cost lives.  His sins are some of the most well-known in all of Scripture!  With so many bad choices, how did David maintain a godly perspective?  How did he continually fight for God’s purposes?  What can we learn from the rollercoaster of David’s life to enhance our attempts to be warriors for God? David’s faith, courage and fidelity to God had been seriously tested in the many years from the slaying of Goliath to his crowning as king.  The lessons he learned along the way were significant in number and scope.  Once David was king, he led and protected the people of Israel convincingly.  This shepherd/poet turned hero, turned warrior, turned exile, turned king showed his loyalty to God and love for the people at every step.  Things could not have seemed to be any better for Israel and especially for David himself. Bathsheba It was then that the subtle trap of power and complacency was sprung.  We all know of the story of David’s sins with Bathsheba.  It's common knowledge how David fell prey to his own desire.  That desire so hideously warped his conscience and loyalty to God.  His fall was epic, and his crawl back to God’s grace and favor was inspiring. The Ark of the Covenant We often lose sight of the many other experiences that David had as king.  This is unfortunate, as we can't define a man by a few short periods of his life or one landmark experience.  David’s legacy must include his incredible journey to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel.  The Ark represented the presence of God.  As such, needed to be properly restored to its sacred position. This account again reveals David’s profound love for God as well as the mistakes he made in showing that love. David’s experiences overflow with life-changing lessons.  One of the most spectacular and yet unsung stories of his life was how he uniquely served God near its end. Check out our June 15, 2020 podcast, “How Can I Fight for God’s Purposes Like King David?” for more.  We uncover some amazing details of all these accounts and see their hidden lessons.  Putting this all together, especially with David’s godly end-of-life devotion, really shows us why he was called "a man after God’s own heart."  Listen in and get to know David like you never have before!

What do you envision when you think of a warrior? Someone engaged in conflict or struggle? A soldier, discipline, a fighter, training, bravery?  King David was one of history’s great warriors. He possessed all of those warrior attributes, and yet he was also a shepherd, poet, musician and songwriter. Tender-hearted and humble, he was faithful and loyal to God, yet guilty of serious breaches of the confidence God had placed in him.  He ascended up to the heights but also descended down to the depths.  He gained Divine approval in many things and also received severe Divine condemnation.  Though he was wholly devoted to God, he also indulged in the sins of the flesh. David’s story is the story of every man, illustrating what God can do with our weaknesses and failures. Shepherd - Poet - Warrior - King The iconic account of David’s journey began when he was a teenager.  From the very first mention of him we see a young man of character.  This young man is chosen to replace the errant King Saul and become the second king of Israel.  You wonder what qualifications he had.  He was a shepherd-poet who had mastered the art of keeping predators away from his sheep with a slingshot.  Well, none of these things qualified him for kingship.  What did make him worthy was his potential.  His heart for God, his faith and his boundless devotion showed a character that could grow into such a massive responsibility. The story of David growing into a kingly ruler has many chapters.  One of the earliest and most notable of these is the battle with and victory over the giant Goliath.  While we all know the basic story, we generally overlook the hidden truths of how this battle came to be and exactly how David won.  Once you understand the two warring nations and the roles of the main characters, David becomes a man of even greater courage and honor! A covenant of friendship Another part of this giant slayer's journey towards kingship had to do with a simple friendship.  David developed a powerful bond of brotherhood with Jonathan, the son of King Saul.  Sounds simple enough until we realize that Saul’s disobedience removed God’s favor from him.  He also knew that David was chosen to replace him.  Saul descended into madness and made David the target of his evil obsession.  How did David survive?  Jonathan’s friendship delivered him.  How did Jonathan remain loyal to his father and to David at the same time?  That is a worthy question! Check out our June 08, 2020 podcast, “How Can I Be a Giant Slayer Like David?” for more.  We dig into the powerful and mostly unheralded character of Jonathan to find timeless principles of loyalty.  We examine the depths of David’s passion for God.  This passion would grow in him throughout his entire life and be expressed in a myriad of unlikely circumstances.  Grasping David’s unyielding heart for God shows us why he became king.  It also provides a basis for appreciating the hard knocks of kingship we will focus on in the next part of our Warrior Series!  

As Christians we are always reminded of the importance of sacrificing our own will to do the will of God.  Our faithfulness is a direct result of the effort we put into our sacrificial lives.  The Old Testament overflows with regulations and propriety regarding making sacrifices to God.  These include not only animals sacrifices but grain, oil and other things as well.  In short, sacrifice is an enormous part of the entire Bible.  Why?  Were sacrifices to be made to get God’s attention?  Is sacrifice in the Old or New Testament there to show God we are sorry for our sins?  What about the principle of obeying God’s will?  How does that fit in?  Can we obey without sacrificing and can we sacrifice without obeying?  If we were to put obedience on one side of a scale and sacrifice on the other side, which would carry more weight? Does this really have to be a big deal?  Can’t we just say “Look, God wants you to follow His directions and He wants you to give Him stuff to show you are paying attention!”  No!  Why not?  Because neither of those statements even remotely reflects the truth of the matter.  Let’s start with what obedience actually means.  The Old Testament word carries the sense of “hearing intelligently.”  This is important because it implies comprehensive understanding when we are given God’s instruction. Clean your room! When a child is told by their parent to clean their room, why would they comply even if they don’t want to?  Is it because they reason that a clean room reflects their respect for their family and themselves?  Do they think about how important it is to establish good habits and discipline when young?  Probably not!  Most likely they clean it because they don’t want to get in trouble.  They are obeying for the most basic reasons.  They follow through because they know it is ultimately the path of least resistance. The broadest way to describe biblical sacrifice is the bringing of an offering, the bringing of something before God as a gift.  As Christian adults, we often look at our fulfillment of the “sacrifice” part of our lives as being fulfilled by things like going to church.  We figure that if we engage in praise, worship and learning on somewhat of a regular basis, we are covered.  What we are really doing is being like that child who knows cleaning their room is less trouble than not cleaning it.  We are finding an easy way to do what is required.  We are not listening intelligently. Check out our June 1, 2020 podcast, “Is Obedience More Important than Sacrifice?” for more.  It turns out this whole obedience and sacrifice equation is taught throughout all of Scripture.  What’s more, it is applied in a variety of ways to a variety of people.  The end results are powerful lessons on how to actually please and honor God, not just on Sunday, but every day.  This is something we all should know more about!

One of the Ten Commandments was to “remember the sabbath to keep it holy.”  As Christians, we are always saying the Ten Commandments are still a necessary part of God’s Law that we should keep. So, why do the vast majority of Christians have their “day of rest” on Sunday when the sabbath God set up for His people was Saturday? Are we really saying to keep only nine of those Ten Commandments?  Are we being too creative with God’s word? What should we learn from the fact that no New Testament Scripture officially moves the sabbath to Sunday?  Is the “rest” of a Christian different than the “rest” referred to in the Jewish Law?  Are Christians required to cease from all work on their sabbath? The template was drawn Any conversation about the sanctity of this day needs to begin with how the whole day of rest idea started.  As things with ancient beginnings related to humanity go, the Sabbath Day is right up there with the oldest on record.  The account of creation is specific, and God Himself was the template from which the sabbath was drawn.  Once God finished the work of the six days of creation, He rested.  Not only does Genesis 2 tell us He rested, it tells us He sanctified the seventh day.  This means He set it apart for the purpose of holiness. Its role in Jewish Law Fast forward to the time of Moses and the giving of the Ten Commandments, and we see the day of rest played a central role in Jewish Law and tradition.  Remembering this day and keeping it holy was the fourth of the Ten Commandments.  These ten guidelines for living were literally carved in stone.  They represented the basis for all of the Laws of Israel.  Not only was the seventh day of every week to be holy, God also required other "rest" days of His people throughout the year.  In short, the sabbath was a central way to commune with God. How does Jesus fit in? Enter Jesus.  He comes along and not only announces that he is Lord of the Sabbath, but he also says the sabbath was made for man.  What does that mean?  Additionally, Jesus often healed on the sabbath, which his detractors used to accuse him of doing unlawful work on that sacred day of rest.  Was Jesus himself turning the traditions of the sabbath upside down? Check out our May 25, 2020 podcast, “What does the Sabbath Look Like for Christians?” for more.  We recognize the power of this day and carefully observe how Jesus himself treated it.  More importantly, we trace why he did the things he did and what it all meant to his followers. New Testament Christians did not keep the Sabbath Day as the Jews of their time did. Walk with us as we uncover the beautiful pearls of wisdom that explain what the sabbath is supposed to mean for Christians.  This journey can add sacred value to your life! Study the rest of the Commandments with us to see how they are still valid for Christians today.  

Life can be a real challenge when we are pressed by personal anxiety or depression.  These things can not only burden our days, they can constrict and suffocate our very moments.  As difficult as living is under these circumstances, think about the overwhelming confusion anxiety and depression would bring to a child.  They begin to see the world through eyes of fear and uncertainty.  They lose interest in things that used to excite them and have no idea why this is happening or what to do about it.  Our kids withdraw, they lash out and they feel alone. Anxiety and depression in kids is a real thing.  It is far more common than we would like to think.  For parents, it is a fearful and confusing issue of life. How do we deal with it and try to understand it?  How do we become the best parents possible to help our children to cope? What do we do? There are a few experiences in life that every parent absolutely never wants to have to face. These belong in the “Please, anything but this” box of life events, as they represent dread and uncertainty. Having our kids experience serious emotional issues or mental illness are two items from the box. Seeing these things emerge into our real-life experience feels like a nightmare come true. It is a “this can’t be happening” moment. Our reality changes, and we now have to do something. But what? In a recent podcast we talked to a social worker who specializes in treating kids who are experiencing depression, anxiety and other issues. Taryn’s expertise and experience with kids and their families were like bright lights in a dark and threatening cave of uncertainty. Taryn didn’t take away the actual issues and challenges that are inherent with these emotional difficulties. She did, however, give us a foundation of understanding and a pathway to follow. She provided hope because she shined a light on the issues. Listen. Listen. That was the overriding theme of her expertise and experience. Listen, learn, validate and apply. As a parent, any kind of mental health issue with our child can go from overwhelming to manageable if we participate in this process. This takes both humility and courage because the path to a healthy family is winding and often steep. When you think about it, these messages and lessons are in the forefront of our Christian experience. As Christian parents, we know the value of seeking input from the Bible. We know the value of fellowship and vulnerability when faced with hard challenges. For the sake of our kids, we need to apply these spiritual principles to our families so we can guide them appropriately. Check out our May 18, 2020 podcast, “How Do We Cope With Anxiety and Depression in Our Kids?” for more. We take five basic principles of strong Christian parenting and apply them to managing these deep emotional issues. With Taryn’s help and a strong scriptural base, we find powerful hope and direction. Please listen to the rest of this timely series: Part I and Part II.

Everyone at times in their life feels anxiety.  Sometimes it is a simple reaction to having to do or say something that we would rather avoid.  Other times it is a more powerful reaction that lingers and may even cause us interrupted sleep or a lack of focus.  These are feelings of anxiety.  They are common and they are solvable.  The big issue comes when the anxiety we face becomes a crippling and exhausting current of fear.  It sweeps us off our feet and pulls us away from our normal routines with an overwhelming riptide-like intensity. For some of us this anxiety can last for months, years or a lifetime.  For a Christian, the piercing questions that may rise from this are, where is my reliance on God?  Does my crippled response to this fear prove my faith to be nothing more than words?  Am I a hypocrite?  Hard question like these deserve strong and decisive answers and today we will find them! There is no better way to try and answer hard questions like these than to talk to someone who has personally walked the crooked and uneven road of anxiety. Kylie Odetta, a Christian and brilliant singer and songwriter has walked such a road.  We were able to catch up with her and listen to her story.  It was both captivating and revealing. Kylie's story Kylie’s story begins in the same place so many others with anxiety begin.  She had always been a sensitive person, feeling emotions very deeply.  She then went through a hard transitional experience along with some other family issues.  It was at this point the small and gnawing fears of life that had quietly collected over time all suddenly became real.  Each and every little fear now barreled to the front of her mind and planted itself in a life-altering position.  She went from being the creative, sure and outgoing Kylie to living in the trapped spaces of her fearful and overwhelming thoughts. This same pattern of experience is tragically true for millions and millions of people.  For many, when anxiety presents itself it systematically takes their lives as its captive.  Fortunately, there is great news about all of this as there are many available approaches and many kinds of answers.  As we listened to Kylie’s story develop, we  uncovered tools in the form of "anxiety-breaking building blocks." Check out our May 11, 2020 podcast, “Does My Anxiety or Depression Invalidate My Christianity? (Part II).”  We apply the learning and foundation received from Part 1.  We then combine it with the very practical and relatable building blocks from Kylie’s story plus Scripture here in Part II.  The result is HOPE.  Whether you yourself experience anxiety or someone you care about does, there is hope.  Whether you do or do not need medication in your struggles , there is hope.  Listen in, be fueled with this hope and then put it to work! Click here for Part III about depression and anxiety specifically in children.

For many of us, daily life is a secret struggle.  Some of us go through the motions of our daily routines while inwardly carrying overwhelming fear and anxiety.  We don’t want to share what we feel as it is not only embarrassing, it is impossible to describe.  For others of us, even our daily routines at times are themselves overwhelming.  We feel as though we are thoroughly alone and relegated to a place of gloom and darkness.  There seems to be no answer.  Often it feels like there is no hope.  I am describing anxiety and depression. While these challenges are incredibly common, they are also incredibly misunderstood.  As Christians, we face these kinds of issues just like everyone else. The question is, what do we expect?  Do we expect our faith to be like a magic pill that can make things better?  Do we expect ourselves to be diminished in God’s eyes because we can’t “feel” our faith?  What does God expect?  What is possible for us to expect? The first step in trying to manage anxiety and depression is to try and understand what we are dealing with.  To best do this, we turned to professionals and interviewed two sisters (identical twins, no less) who are APRN’s in psychiatry.   Jane and Joan Landino were with us throughout this episode and plainly explained many aspects of anxiety and depression the average person just doesn’t know about.  Their input and insight are enlightening and refreshing. What's the difference between anxiety and depression? Both anxiety and depression can be debilitating.  In my own words, anxiety can be like a creeping fear that finds you and latches on to your everyday.  You don’t really know why its there.  You can’t really explain it logically.  You go through your days and this unwelcome intruder follows you around, even as you engage and accomplish things.  To me, anxiety is a little bit like termites - present but unseen.  It is basically non-descript as it eats away at your heart and mind. Depression is very different.  Again, in my own words, depression deflates you.  It takes the air out of your tires.  It makes it feel as though moving forward requires far more effort than you can muster.  The fears of anxiety are now in overdrive, and it feels like there is an ever-growing weight to any and all aspects of life.  While anxiety plagues you as you push your way through life, depression derails you and makes you want to check out of normal activities. What does all this mean for a Christian?  Plenty.  Check out our May 4, 2020 episode, “Does My Anxiety or Depression Invalidate My Christianity?” for more.  The good news is, these things are more common than you think and more treatable than you might imagine.  As a Christian, your faithfulness to God and following Jesus is not judged on whether you have anxiety or depression.  On the contrary, God’s mercy is available to help us walk through whatever our trials and circumstances may be.  Listen in, find hope and then head to Part II for more!

As Christians, we are clearly taught to live our lives in harmony with God’s will and His ways by following in the footsteps of Jesus. We all know this challenge is one we can never fulfill with perfection. We all have experienced failure along these lines. Because we are imperfect, God expects us to fail, and yet He blesses us. Does this mean He accepts us as we are? Does this mean our sinful thoughts and actions can actually be sources of blessing? How many times have you made mistakes in judgment or action, yet still saw God’s blessing and providence come through? How do we properly interpret our experiences to reflect what God is blessing us for and leading us through? Is this a no-win scenario? Let’s get right to the point: our sins can never produce blessings! On the surface this perspective seems to be harsh, even cruel. No matter what we do in this human life, we can never be rid of our sinful nature. If our sins cannot produce blessings, then it seems we are in an absolute no-win scenario. It feels like this idea of our sins never producing blessings is a proclamation of doom. Because I sin, God cannot bless me. Do we miss the mark? Nothing is further from the truth!  To understand how this works, we need to understand that sin according to the Bible means “to miss the mark.”  Translation: any thought pattern that ends up with less-than-perfect conclusion is inherently sinful. Any action performed with less-than-perfect execution is inherently sinful. We are always “missing the mark” even though we are desperately trying to hit it! While this sounds depressing, it is actually where we begin to see the seeds of blessing being sown. Understanding what it means to be blessed by God is the other critical piece that needs to be put in order. Blessing in Scripture does not necessarily equate to ease or the accumulation of stuff. While these things can be an outgrowth of blessing, they are grossly overrated as evidence of God’s care. Turns out that for God to bless us and for us to bless God (It is the same word in the Bible for "bless") has everything to do with appreciation. The magnitude of this thought in conjunction with understanding what sin is cannot be overstated. Check out our April 27, 2020 podcast, “Can Our Sins Ever Produce Blessings?” for more. We take a deep dive into the role our efforts to please God play in the sin/blessing equation. We look at a national sin of Israel and trace God’s ability to bless His people in spite of it. We highlight a personal sin of someone with great power and influence, and trace God’s blessing as a result of repentance.  We also get practical with the personal sin of someone most of us don’t know much about and again see how blessings follow. In all these cases, it is NOT the sin that produces blessing.  Finding out what DOES bring God’s blessing will brighten your day!

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc.  The virus itself is bad enough, but for most of us the havoc comes from what has been put in place to keep it from spreading.  Jobs have been lost, social, religious and family gatherings are all on hold.  We are supposed to just stay home.  It feels like we have had enough.  Boredom, restlessness, anxiety and depression are becoming our daily companions.  Our personal desperation will likely continue to increase, as there is no clear-cut pathway yet revealed to ending this chapter of life.  What do we do?  As Christians, how do we manage the rules that hinder our worship? The over abundance of editorialized information?  The isolation, the anxiety and the fear that drags on? Let’s take a few steps back and put all these things in order so we can have a plan and work that plan. Should we be defiant? In these unprecedented and tricky times, we as Christians need to be sure of where we stand.  What is our position as local governments are asking (and sometimes telling) us to not meet together for worship?  Are we compliant or defiant?  Do we cite the Apostle Peter when he was taken by the authorities and told not to preach?  In Acts chapter 5 he boldly said, “We must obey God rather than men!”  Should this be the Christians’ battle cry in these uncertain times?  Actually, no! There is a world of difference between what Peter was dealing with and our current conditions.  He was preaching the word to enlighten unbelievers at his own peril.  We, on the other hand, are wanting to meet together with other believers for our own benefit. We potentially put others in peril as we risk the spreading of a highly contagious virus.  A spiritually-minded Christian should embrace the value of sacrificially protecting others, especially the elderly when we have opportunity to do so. What about isolation? How about handling isolation?  How do we as Christians go about managing such a foreign task?  Once again, the Scriptures present us with a clear pathway to follow.  In several of the Apostle Paul’s writings he gives us solid foundation points to be able to cope with isolation.  After all, he knew all about isolation and showed us how to make the most of it. Check out our April 20,2020 podcast, “Should the Coronavirus Change My Christianity?”  We delve deeply into managing isolation and hear from a faithful Christian woman in her 80’s about how she does it.  Then wee tackle managing the information that is thrown at us everyday and learn techniques to parse through it.  We hear from a Christian woman who is a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practitioner) on handling the fear, stress, anger and loneliness we may be fighting.  This episode lays out the profound scriptural beauty of how and why God permits evil, sickness and death.  The bottom line is this:  We are inviting you to let us walk with you through these hard and trying times.  Together we can not only make it, we can shine the light of God’s love along the way!

Easter Sunday is a widely celebrated holiday. It is a day that represents life. For Christians, it represents life in its highest form because it is about the resurrection of Jesus. It is far too easy to lose the deep meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice and victory in the commotion and fanfare of Easter eggs, the Easter Bunny and Easter chocolate. As Christians, we know Jesus’ resurrection was a world-changing experience, but was it a personal, life-changing experience for me? How does the fact of Jesus being in heaven again with God affect me every day? To trace the kind of changes his resurrection can have on us, we need to look at the kind of effect it had on some who were there and experienced it first-hand. What did they see? What did they change? Being a witness to the most sensational events in human history has to have an impact! Never in the experience of mankind had anyone ever been killed, raised from the dead and come back as a being with spiritual powers. Further, no one else had ever walked among others and then was raised to heaven before many witnesses. In this episode, we highlighted the experiences of a few who were there for the whole thing. They were followers of Jesus, they saw the crucifixion, they heard about the empty tomb and they had encounters with the risen Lord. In a very short period, their faith went from shattered to sure. The road to Emmaus Just one of theses examples is the account of the two disciples walking to Emmaus on the day Jesus’ tomb was discovered to be empty. Sad and confused, they walked that seven-mile trek and tried to piece together the crucifixion with their dashed hopes for the future. As the story relates, a stranger observed their sorrow and began to walk along with them. He shared prophecies and reasoning that helped then to see these events as God’s will. We know that this stranger was Jesus himself, but their eyes were initially shielded from that truth. Once they found out, their lives were changed! What about me? Even though I wasn’t there to physically witness these events, I am here now to be a spiritual witness to these things. What kind of changes can I see in myself as I embrace the reality of Jesus being raised? He is now at the right hand of God, so where does that put me? Has my life been clearly and outwardly transformed as a result of what I see? Check out our April 13, 2020 podcast, “Jesus is Raised. How Does that Change Me?” for more. We continue to break down the story of the road to Emmaus as well as several others. How did Jesus ease his followers into acceptance of his miraculous resurrection? How did they grow and respond as a result? And again, what about me? How can I daily learn to live Jesus’ resurrection?

Jesus is our hero. His example, his teachings, his works and his faithfulness are absolutely legendary. They provide a flood of inspiration for anyone who would want it. To think of Jesus as being troubled in mind seems to be completely contrary to what we think of our Savior. After all, the book of Hebrews says he was "holy, innocent, undefiled and separated from sinners." How could he have anxiety? The fact is, there were three recorded instances in his life where he was troubled. Were these experiences a show of weakness or doubt? Did Jesus have some flaw we never talk about? No and no! What these experiences do show us is the amazing fortitude, courage and godliness of the man Christ Jesus. Troubled? What exactly does it mean when we say Jesus was "troubled"? The specific word used in the New Testament for the three experiences we discuss has an array of meanings. It can mean seriously uncomfortable, as John the Baptist's father was when he was suddenly visited by the angel foretelling John’s birth. It can mean agitated, as Herod was when he was speaking to the three wise men about their search for the newly born “king” whose star they had followed. It can also mean terrified, as the apostles were when they first saw Jesus walking on water.  The point is, being troubled is not just a feeling of emotional unrest; it refers to a deep sense of discomfort. Throughout the four Gospels we see many differing depictions of Jesus. He was often calm and humble. Yet, he was also challenging and cryptic.  Jesus was overwhelmingly loving and compassionate.  Yet, he was also firm in speaking hard truths. He had unwavering courage, sometimes sought peace and serenity, and he also became angry, very angry. Yet, throughout his entire ministry we never saw him troubled or with anxiety - until his earthly ministry was almost complete. Interesting timing We all feel the pressure and anxiety when we are faced with a seriously important deadline approaching. Our minds race, our heartbeat increases and maybe our palms sweat as we strive to finish our work. We put in whatever extra time is needed, check the details and make sure everything is in order. Then we check again as we weigh our efforts against what is being required of us. Jesus was no different. Not surprisingly, his three troubling experiences were all within the last month of his earthly life. With the deadline he was facing and the magnitude of the work he was tasked with completing, we also need to examine what and who Jesus was up against.  Satan knew Jesus had come to take the dominion of earth from him and was trying to stand in Jesus’ way. Satan would not go down without a fight. Check out our April 6, 2020 podcast, “What Things Troubled Jesus?” for more.  We lay out these three troubling experiences, find the pattern of Satan’s influence and observe the profound victory Jesus achieved. This is a rarely heard lesson for the ages!

Social distancing. Three months ago, if you had heard that term you may have thought it was describing someone who was a loner or someone who swore off social media. Now we not only all know what it means, we feel its meaning and it is frightening. I was in the grocery store today, and on the floor of the line for self-checkout there were tape lines six feet apart so shoppers could more easily avoid contact. The novel coronavirus – COVID-19 - has arrived. It is potent, fearsome and sneaky. Because of its presence the entire world has been altered socially and economically in a matter of a few months. As Christians, what are we supposed to do with this pandemic? What should we know, how should we act and most importantly, is this virus connected to God’s plan? How often do our thoughts turn to God in a negative way when the world is in a panic about a disaster?  Whether it is a tsunami or a hurricane, a series of wildfires or a pandemic, we seem to generally conclude that God must be punishing us. The current COVID-19 pandemic has already brought several Scriptures into focus on social media to support this reaction. So, is this God’s wrath? Blessings? Curses? To set a foundation for an answer, we need to ask a question. When things are generally good in the world – when hurricanes and floods are fewer and earthquakes are more sporadic - do we ever say that such times are God’s blessing on the world? We don’t! We basically ignore those things. Why, then, should this pandemic be God’s curse? If we don’t give Him credit for good things, then it is inconsistent to blame Him for the bad things. COVID-19 was not sent by God! Make no mistake, this is a fiercely contagious virus. It has a very high mortality rate for a specific age range of people who have one or more other health conditions. Mortality notwithstanding, it is clear this virus does not discriminate as to who it infects and how much suffering it can cause. As likely as the coronavirus is to cause panic, misinformation and social media editorializing regarding the facts are even stronger panic drivers. What should Christians do we do with boatloads of 24-hour information we have access to?  What is our responsibility? How should we be thinking and acting? Beacons of light Check out March 30, 2020 podcast, “Does the Coronavirus Fit into God’s Plan?” for more.  Determining fact from fiction is critical to understanding what is really happening. We talk about this serious, worldwide issue through the lens of relevant medical facts. We then carefully verify the application of that information to build a truthful perspective. As Christians, we not only address a prophetic viewpoint to consider, we also delve into what our Christian responsibilities are. Join us as we seek to do what Jesus did - be beacons of light in a foggy world!

As Christians, we often talk about the necessity of forgiveness. We need to be forgiven and to forgive others. When it comes to talking about mercy, we always seem to focus on God’s mercy. Rightly so. God’s mercy is a resounding theme throughout the entire Bible. His eternal wisdom and plan could not even exist unless His mercy was, is and will be in place. So, if being merciful is such an important part of God’s plan, and Jesus came and mercifully gave his life for Adam’s sin and redeemed the world, what about me? How does mercy fit into my life? Am I a merciful Christian? What does mercy really mean, and how do I know how and when to use it? 70 x 7 The Apostle Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive his brother for continually sinning against him.  As a proposed answer to his own question, Peter offered a solution I am sure he thought was generous.  Should I forgive him up to seven times? Jesus' answer was a clear and eye-opening response. He said (and I am dramatizing this) seven times – are you kidding? You should forgive him seventy times seven! As Christians we look at this answer and are genuinely moved at how much love and compassion was expressed by it. We are in awe of the standard that Jesus set. Even more than 70 x 7 Sadly, we are missing the main point. The seventy times seven answer was only the warm-up statement – merely an introduction. The parable he spoke after those words was the main point. Unfortunately, not many of us can call that parable and its lessons to mind. Why? Because the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant was a harsh story that can be a little hard to understand. On the surface, it does not seem to easily fit in with the magnanimous lesson of forgiving seventy times seven. Jesus spoke this parable to teach us about mercy. A basic definition for mercy is to give unmerited opportunity to another.  It is kindness that opens a door to one who is undeserving. We don’t talk much about mercy. As a result, it seems to be a lesser-noticed sibling of forgiveness and grace. We frequently bask in the relief of being forgiven for our sins. We rejoice in the glory of being given grace - God’s unmerited favor. But without mercy, neither forgiveness or grace could be attainable. Without mercy there is no gospel and there is no coming kingdom!  Mercy drives all of it! Check out our March 23, 2020 podcast, “How Merciful Am I?” for more. We establish what God’s mercy is and how it is a template for the mercy we are supposed to live by. We explore why Jesus used this particular story as a teaching tool. One of the many gems of truth we uncover is this: forgiveness can never be complete without mercy as its basis. Has your ability to truly forgive others ever been challenged? You just might need a better understanding of mercy!

Burnout is nasty.  As we found out in Part I of our two-part series, it can demoralize and diminish the efforts and quality of care from medical professionals and first responders.  But it doesn't stop there.  Even though the rest of us may not have other’s lives in our hands, burnout is more than capable of continuing to ruin lives...if we let it.  The good news about this ever-growing and worrisome phenomena is that it can be handled.  For regular people who get overly inundated with the unrelenting pressures of work, family and social issues, there are answers.  Or, if we find ourselves feeling like we are drowning under the weight of Christian responsibilities, there are answers.  The really good news is these answers have both biblical and medical foundations! Our focus on burnout in medical professionals and first responders in Part I gave us a foundation.  Part II continued building by focusing on you and me and the daily challenges we encounter through our jobs and life experience.  We saw the exact same debilitating process at work. Oour burnout heroes: Moses and Elijah There is no better way to understand this power of burnout than to see it displayed in the life of some of your heroes. If they can be debilitated by its affects, then we are certainly vulnerable as well.  Moses and Elijah were two Old Testament heroes of faith who stood head and shoulders above the people of their time.  Moses triumphantly delivered over two million people out of slavery.  He did it through faith, obedience and courage.  They literally walked away from their captivity.  Elijah faced off with an evil king, stood alone against 450 prophets of the false god Baal and walked away with a resounding victory for the one true God. We love the heroism of these stories.  What we often don’t pay attention to is the stories after these victorious events. God would continue to require more of these leaders, and they both experienced burnout in the aftermath.  n fact, in the depths of their burnout experiences, both Moses and Elijah even despaired of life.  This really shows us how insidious burnout can be.  It can creep into and take over the lives of the most powerful, faithful and courageous heroes. Lessons to fight back The experiences of Moses and Elijah teach us profound lessons to help us fight back against burnout. Some of those lessons have to do with understanding our limitations and being open to receiving the right kinds of help.  These things may sound easy to do, but they are the exact opposite. Observing the stories of our two heroes makes this challenge plain. When in the throes of fighting burnout, we become blind and deaf to the solution-oriented things around us. All we are capable of seeing is what our own mind is open to and what our own eyes can observe. Check out our March 16, 2020 podcast, “How Do I Avoid Burnout? (Part II)” for more.  There are concrete answers to this serious dilemma and we list them out.  Moses and Elijah show us even higher levels of heroism as they each overcame their burnout experience.  Don’t miss how this is done!  

It is a common saying that the two things you can count on in life are death and taxes.  While that might be true, there is another thing lurking in the background of the lives of more and more people every day:  BURNOUT.  With all of the overstimulation a technology-based society produces, we are set up for burnout.  With what seem like ever-increasing job demands, we are set up for burnout.  Personal communications are instant, always available and on multiple platforms, and we feel we need to respond instantly as well.  This sets us up for – you guessed it – burnout.  This is just what applies to us - the average, "go to work and make a living" person.  Medical professionals, first responders, military men and women – all set up for this scary precedent!  This is serious.  What can we as Christians do to recognize, respond to and relieve this dangerous pattern in our lives and the lives of others? Looking at the medical field To be able to overcome burnout, you first need to understand it.  Looking at the medical field, we find detailed explanations of how it works.  We also find lots of practical experience.  It turns out, the people who help us understand it are also the ones who suffer greatly from burnout themselves.  As part of our journey to crack the burnout code, we interviewed a Christian medical professional who has suffered from it.  Hannah’s story set a foundation of experience for us, upon which we could build practical knowledge. Health care industry - everyday burnout - spiritual burnout We chose to observe burnout as affecting three different categories of people.  First are the health care professionals, first responders and military personnel. These are the men and women on the front lines, who have the lives of others in their hands. Their burnout is associated with always needing to do the right thing in very imperfect circumstances, and often with less than adequate support.  Second, there are the rest of us who find burnout as a result of our jobs, our lives, disease, trauma and unforeseen circumstances.  The third category we labeled as spiritual burnout, meaning feeling isolated and far from God as you strive to serve Him. Looking to Job for answers The good news is that the same basic principles of burnout recovery apply to each of these three specific categories.  To illustrate this, we used the example of Job, the Bible character who tragically lost everything. He burned out but in the end remained faithful to God.  How did that happen?  Where did he go wrong and what did he do right? Check out our March 9, 2020 podcast, “How Do I Avoid Burnout? (Part 1)” for more.  Between Hannah’s medical and Christian insights and Job’s tragic losses and unhelpful “comforters,” we find many points of reference to build upon.  The bottom line is:  walking the path towards burnout is a pressure-filled journey that pulls us away from our best selves.  Walking away from it is possible but challenging.  In Part 1 of our two-part series, we help you discover how to succeed.  Don’t miss this vital input to prepare you for Part II!

There is no denying the New Testament - and actually the entire Bible - is all about Jesus. His sacrifice for humanity is proclaimed from Genesis to Revelation. He IS the key to the gospel. Having said this, the life and writings of the Apostle Paul dominate much of the New Testament. His experiences and teachings are pronounced, and in the eyes of many, go too far. Critics see the Apostle Paul as a combatant against the gospel of the kingdom Jesus taught. The basis for their criticism is the way Jesus reflected the role of the Jewish Law and the way that Paul essentially wrote it off. How do we manage this? Was Paul at odds with the core values and teaching of Jesus? Jesus vs. Paul? One of the big debates in the early church raging on even today is whether or not Paul threw out the Jewish Law that Jesus not only followed but confirmed in Luke 16:17: "But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail." Critics argue that Jesus never said Christians DON'T have to fall in line under the Law's many requirements. On the other hand, Paul was clear that the new Gentile converts would NOT be subject to all the Law's requirements like circumcision and food restrictions. Who was right? Aren't we all taught that at least the 10 Commandments are valid in their admonitions to love God, love our neighbor and so forth? Moral - Ceremonial - Judicial The key to cracking this case is understanding that the Jewish Law was divided into three parts:  moral, ceremonial and judicial. The moral law of love, as expressed in the 10 Commandments, will never be replaced. It remained in play for both Jew and Gentile. In God’s future kingdom, it will stand as a beautiful requirement for all of mankind. Shadow vs. Reality Not only did the ceremonial parts have to do with cleanliness of people and food, but also how the Israelites atoned for their sins with sacrifices. Special sacrifices were required year after year in order to temporarily “cleanse” them of sins. This allowed a relationship with the heavenly Father to continue as long as the people remained in that clean state. These are recorded in great detail in the Old Testament. In hindsight, we see these foreshadowed the monumental sacrifice of Jesus that allowed the early Christians to have a relationship with God. This applies to Christians throughout the age - right down to you and me. The comparison between the “shadow” of the literal ceremonial events with how Jesus fulfilled them as the reality of the shadow is striking and faith-inspiring. Paul explains in many texts how Jesus replaced this part of the Law. After Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, the ceremonial parts of the Law were no longer necessary to have a relationship with God. (And they were completely obsolete after the Temple burned down in 70 A.D.!) What about the judicial parts of the Law? These had to do with pronouncing and administering the consequences to breaking the Law. But with the ceremonial parts obsolete, the judicial part would necessarily shift to personal responsibility of how we are judged and how we judge others. On this point, it is easy to show how Jesus and Paul agreed. Christianity was not to be a sect of Judaism. Jesus’ death and resurrection changed everything – except the fundamental law of LOVE. Listen to our podcast from February 24, 2020 called, “Did the Apostle Paul Contradict Jesus?” It is the last of our four-part series on the Apostle Paul and really brings the details of the controversy front and center. Paul lived, breathed and taught Jesus and the gospel 24/7. He devoted his life to being a faithful steward. What an example for all of us!

For every Christian, Jesus is THE example, leader and fulfiller of our faith. We continually gain inspiration from his perfect example and unselfish sacrifice. When we think about a less-than-perfect Christian example, most of us go to the Apostle Peter or the Apostle Paul. Both men showed us how to achieve spiritual victory through imperfection. They both had failures, regrets and doubts, and yet they were faithful. These challenges endear them to our hearts. They give us courage to work through our own imperfect experiences. Knowing this, it can be hard to believe there are many who see the Apostle Paul as an interloper, one who hijacked the gospel message. These accusations begin with disregarding the authenticity of his apostleship. They say Matthias, as a replacement for the traitor Judas, was appointed as the 12th Apostle long before Paul’s conversion. The "pro-Matthias" argument is worth respectfully considering. After all, it is true there is no written record of either God or Jesus confirming Paul's apostleship. We only have Paul himself saying he is an apostle along with a claim by his friend Luke in the book of Acts. To be fair, there is no written record of either God or Jesus confirming Matthias' apostleship, either. But Acts 1:26 says Matthias "was added to the eleven apostles." With a plain biblical statement like that, why look further? Wait! Well, because there is a lot more to find once we look closer at the context. Jesus was very specific in his instructions given before his crucifixion and right before his ascension: they were to WAIT. Just wait. Don't make any decisions, don't run away, just wait. Pentecost was only ten days away. Once they received God's influence and power, the holy spirit, it would guide them into knowing what to do next. It would give them the power to do miraculous things in order to advance Christianity around the world. Casting lots Instead of waiting, Peter met with about 120 disciples to pray and elect a replacement for Judas, even though it was not necessary or required to be done at this time. Two candidates were proposed and the group "cast lots," an Old Testament method of determining God's will. (The option of "neither" candidate was not proposed.)  Later on the road to Damascus, our resurrected Lord Jesus dramatically and emphatically appointed Saul as a "chosen vessel." Just like the other 11 Jesus-appointed apostles, Paul was called a "witness." Check out our podcast, "Paul or Matthias. Who Was the Real 12th Apostle?" that aired live on February 17, 2020. We reviewed the points of debate for and against the Apostle Paul as being the authorized 12th Apostle of Christ. The evidence overwhelmingly showed us his rightful place. Our faith was strengthened by looking into these important details of the early church.  What do you think of our conclusions?  

(See Part I of this topic.) In many ways, the Apostle Paul was like a magnet.  Over the last 2,000 years, his preaching, teaching and writing have attracted countless millions to seek out what being a Christian really means.  He was a leader in every sense of the word.  He lived his faith to Jesus Christ without reservation, and Christians throughout the age have been inspired by his example.  This same Apostle Paul was also a magnet for trouble.  His ministry way back then drew incredible conflict and persecution - it even led to his death.  Today the same controversy surrounds his legacy.  While so many of us cling to his example and teaching, others are repelled by him and label him as a self-contradicting, hypocritical deceiver.  Who is right?  Was Paul a teacher of truth or contradiction?

The Apostle Paul is a Christian icon.  He essentially wrote half of the New Testament as he carried the gospel far and wide.  He suffered dramatically for his faith, was challenged regularly by those in authority and even stood up to the Apostle Peter when it was needed.  When you read his words, you cannot help but see his love for God and undying devotion to Jesus.  With all of the good he did, there are many who 2,000 years later claim he was a self-absorbed, self-contradictory man.  They make lists of the things he said and wrote and seem to relish in his apparent instability.  Did the Apostle Paul contradict himself?  Did he say different things to different people just to gain their favor?  The only way to find out is to examine the accusations one at a time! Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians there.  Suddenly his journey was interrupted by a blindingly bright visit from the Lord Jesus Christ himself.  The exchange Saul had with the mighty risen Lord completely changed his life.  Saul would soon be known as Paul.  He would become the Apostle to the Gentiles.  This simple story is surrounded by controversy.  Aside from the challenges to prove what happened, the hardest skepticism comes from the telling of the story itself.  This is just the beginning of the many inconsistencies people say overshadow the authenticity of Paul’s Christian life. Inconsistencies or details with an easy explanation? The account of Paul’s conversion appears three times in the book of Acts.  The first telling is more or less an historical recounting.  The other two were a record of Paul’s own telling.  The problem is in the details.  The three accounts seem to blatantly contradict each other with important details.  Did everyone journeying with him fall to the ground when this light appeared, or was it just Paul?  The skeptics say that depends on which version you read.  Did everyone hear the voice of Jesus or just Paul?  Again, they say it depends on which story you read.  The critics' points are well taken.  Because the story of Paul’s conversion can be so easily called into question, the truthfulness of his Christian life is questionable as well. Did Paul make it up as he went along? This is only the beginning.  Was Paul a people pleaser or a true servant of Christ?  Was he a deceitful or an honest minister?  Those who have written him off boldly claim that these and other accusations can be proven by Paul’s own words!  Can they?  Are these inconsistencies proof of a great deception? Check out our February 03, 2020 podcast, “Does the Apostle Paul Contradict Himself? (Part 1) for more.  We carefully and methodically take each of these accusations apart to see what they are made of.  We look into context, definitions and the several other factors for various Apostle Paul contradictions.  There are answers.  They are logical, and they are harmonious.  Take this journey with us and then head over to Part II for more.

The Christian belief in being “born again” can be at the very least confusing. Does it mean you get to restart your life, kind of like a do-over? Is it beginning a brand new life lived in a brand new context? Does being born again mean you are the same person with the same issues, or are you somebody different? Is it living a new spiritual life in place of our present physical life – “once in grace, always in grace”?   Does being born again actually mean what we think it means? To figure this out, we need to not only have a clear understanding of context, we also need to have a good sense of some specific Greek words and how they are used. Two words We need to be clear on the definitions of two little words -  the difference between comprehending a deep biblical truth and latching on to a fabricated story. The story of these two little words begins with Nicodemus, a wise and respected leader among the Jewish leadership of his day. Even though his counterparts inwardly and outwardly despised Jesus, Nicodemus saw something different. He saw a learned, wise and compassionate man who not only always knew what to say, he also knew what to do. In Jesus he saw a healer and a teacher, a man connected to God. Nicodemus sought Jesus out under the cover of nightfall. He was seeking the answers needed to better understand this man he had observed from a distance. A powerful truth When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, he told him far more than Nicodemus could have anticipated.  Once Nicodemus proclaimed he knew Jesus was a man from God, Jesus responded. There was no small talk.  Instead, Jesus simply proclaimed a powerful truth.  He said that to see the kingdom, one must be “born again.” To Nicodemus, this statement was entirely perplexing. His response showed his confusion. To us, this statement contains those two little words that carry so much meaning - you must be “born again.” On the surface, it seems like this is a no brainer, after all they are simple words with obvious meanings. The problem arises when we look into the ancient language in which these words were originally recorded. We find marked differences. For instance, the word for “born” in Greek is the exact same word for “begetting.” When talking about a masculine role in the reproductive process, the word means "to beget." When talking about a feminine role in the process it means to be born. What does all this mean?  Check out our January 27, 2020 podcast, “Are Christians Really Born Again?” for more. We walk through the entire conversation where Jesus taught Nicodemus.  We trace what Nicodemus knew and what he was missing. We find what meanings apply where and then paint a picture of the actual lesson Jesus taught. This is a really fascinating journey with a really powerful conclusion. Don’t miss it!  

We know every Christian wants to go to heaven.  The real question is, does every Christian know what is required to get there?  Last week we began to talk about the several important elements God has put in place.  These define not only His plan in general, but they clearly show us what the Christian call is all about.  We found some very legal pieces to the puzzle, as well as some very practical pieces.  It all boils down to two things:  First, there IS a well-defined path to heaven. Second, for the rest of the world not going to heaven, there also IS a path to salvation. Its destination is earthly, but with many similarities to the heavenly path.  Now let’s put all of these pieces in perspective! What about glory? Let’s start by talking about glory, which is generally perceived as a destination.  We usually associate glory with heaven, but in the Bible, glory covers a broad spectrum of results.  There is the glory of men in their imperfect state that some strive to have.  In contrast is the glory of immortal life in heaven that Jesus’ followers strive for.  Glory as represented in the Bible can be found in many different endeavors.  It does not have to be godly to be sought after; it just needs to be appealing.  This begs the question; is there any truly God-honoring glory for the billions of humanity who are not following Jesus as his disciple?  The answer here is a surprising yes. What about heaven? How can this be when Jesus spoke so plainly about heaven as the key destination?  It all comes down to understanding what the scriptural teaching regarding the destiny of different groups of people. Based on last week’s podcast, we know God’s plan of salvation entails four necessities required to get to heaven: redemption, justification, reconciliation and sanctification. While these things bring glorification to Jesus’ followers, we cannot discount what those very same things can do for everyone else. The Bible speaks plainly and often about the positive effects of redemption, justification, etc., on the non-believing world.  One reason so many who believe in Scripture don’t see this is because it is in many ways veiled.  There are, in fact, many prophecies which point to the salvation of the “everybody else.”  Because they are prophetic Old Testament utterances, they not only get less attention, they are also hard to understand. Check out our January 20, 2020 podcast, “What Three Steps will Get Us to Heaven? (Part 2) for more.  We compare how God’s plan unfolds with those who follow Jesus and those who don’t.  While the differences in these two groups are dramatic, the similarities are profound.  Follow along with us as we trace specific prophecies that reveal what the path of those who don’t believe now will look like later.  Watch God’s plans and purposes unfold out from His word!  This is a journey worth taking.

So, what does the road to heaven actually look like? If you look across the wide spectrum of Christian beliefs you will find far more variety in the answer than you might have thought. You would expect all of the answers to include believing in Jesus - and that's a good start. However, the Bible gives us several other qualifiers for being on the road to heaven, and this is where the confusion begins. The fact is, going to heaven is NOT merely about what one believes. As a matter of fact, being on this journey is not something we can just one day decide to do! Heaven IS possible, but what steps must be taken? Salvation God’s plan can be explained by understanding the biblical meaning of six words. While these words reflect the journey to heaven, they also reveal so much more. SALVATION is first on the list. It describes the overall picture of God’s plan. God knew sin would arrive through the influence of Satan and that His human creation would suffer its terrible consequences.  Because God knew this all ahead of time, He also had a plan in place to counteract the deadly effects of sin. His was a plan of SALVATION. This plan that would satisfy justice and bring his human family back to the opportunity for eternal life. By understanding what this first word means, we begin to understand the mind of God. Redemption and Justification So, what about heaven? We all know God’s plan provided Jesus as the ransom price for the sin of Adam. This has to do with REDEMPTION, the second of the six words you'll have to listen to podcast to hear about. Jesus did far more than simply pay the price for Adam. In accordance with God’s will, he drew followers to him who would be willing to live lives of sacrifice as he did. To these he promised the opportunity of a heavenly reward.  No follower could be considered for this privilege unless they were first called by God to JUSTIFICATION, the third word on the list.  Christianity uses this word as a basis for going to heaven. JUSTIFICATION in the Bible is unique. Today when we say someone has justification for doing something, we mean they have ample reasons behind them. We don’t necessarily agree that their reasons are absolutely righteous, but we acknowledge they are actionable. On the contrary, to be justified in the Bible is to be made right before God. This is only possible because of the ransom of Jesus. Does this mean when we are justified we are acceptable in God’s sight? What about SANCTIFICATION? What does it mean? How does it fit in with being right in God’s eyes?  Check out our January 13, 2020 podcast, “What Three Steps Will Get Us to Heaven? (Part 1)” for more. Then head over to Part 2 for the full picture. We decipher these life-giving words, put them in context and clearly lay out how the pieces fit together. Following the heavenly call is a life-long endeavor. Why not find out how it all works?

Life is often measured by time. Our society is hyperfocused on immediate gratification, which means we don’t want to have to wait. We don’t want to have any interval pass before we get what we want.  We have scheduled events, appointments, work hours, lunch breaks and periods for sleep. All of these things are time-driven. We celebrate birthdays, holidays and vacations - all of which are driven by the calendar – a tool for measuring time. With such a complete dependency on the clock, what would make us think God’s plan for humanity is any different? How often do we hear people complain that if God exists and is all powerful, why doesn’t He….? Let’s look at time, seasons and ages and what parts they play in God’s master plan! While Solomon’s wisdom seems to be leaning towards an “It doesn’t really matter what we do” kind of thinking, let’s consider another approach. In verses 16 and 17, he reveals that wickedness is rampant in its dominance of righteousness but God is going to judge both. This is significant for two reasons. First, it adds a measure of responsibility to each of our actions. Second, it gives us an assurance of God’s awareness. The world is barreling down the road of self-destructive and egotistical thinking and actions. Solomon is saying, in spite of this, it is all within the power and permission of God Himself. Looking through God's eyes Now, if we go back and look at all of the things Solomon said had their time, we can see them with different eyes. What if we began this review with the conclusion that God has everything in control? We could then read there is “a time to kill and a time to heal” in the context of God’s timing and not our own. It is so easy to see things like killing, hatred, weeping and mourning and become exasperated…and even hopeless. After all, we look back over our own lives and the lives of those before us, and it’s always the same and never gets better! Check out our January 6, 2020 podcast, “Why Does Time Matter in God’s Plan?” for more. We break down each comparison Solomon makes. Then we put them all into the context of prophecy and God’s plan. A coherent story is told. It is not only a story of the unfolding of God’s plan, it is also a reminder of God’s time clock. Death, dismay and destruction all look different through the eyes of eternity!

Yup! It’s another New Year and that means another opportunity to start some things that are new, different and good for us! It also means we consider stopping (or at least reducing) those things in life that aren’t so good for us. It all sounds so easy, except for one little detail that can be expressed in one little word: habits. Breaking old and establishing new habits is one of the hardest challenges most individuals face. This is difficult because, by definition, making and breaking habits is making and breaking instinctive behavior. The first thing we need to do is to know what to change and why. While this is an important beginning, the next step is to know how to change, and that is where our work and focus actually begins. Every habit begins with a thought It can be a small thought, even a passing thought. What happens is, this thought – this impression finds some kind of appealing reaction within us. It can then begin to grow. The more we entertain it, the more likely it will take up residence in our minds. The tricky thing is that this process is not necessarily a fully conscious one. Our subconscious mind can be working on something, and once it is presented to our conscious thinking it has enough appeal to be pursued. Thoughts are directly related to beliefs Think of it this way – when a thought is developed fully enough in our minds it then has the authority to actually change existing beliefs. This is an important transition because all habits must have belief behind them. This may sound odd, especially when it comes to bad habits. Think about it, if we absolutely know a habit is bad then why can’t we change it overnight? It doesn’t change because it is an engrained belief that has tenacious staying power! Even if we see and acknowledge that the habit is bad for us in the long run, that does not change the belief in the gratification the habit provides in the short run. The bottom line is: habits are not only difficult to make and break, they hold our destiny in their hands. Look at the most accomplished athletes, scientists, medical professionals or musicians, and you see a combination of talent, passion and discipline. These things make that person immensely successful because they are all put into service by habitual thinking and actions. In these cases, the results of this process can bring quality and excitement to the lives of many. Check out our December 30, 2019 podcast, “Should My Habits be Kept or Broken?” We detail the thinking and behavior aspects of habit making and breaking. Much more than that, we reveal the four other characteristics that every habit affects in our lives. Habits are powerful drivers.  They can actually dictate the level of success or failure we have in every aspect of life. Find out what you can do to raise your own levels of success by raising the levels of your habits!

When we talk about the “spirit” of something, we are trying to describe what that something was intended to look like or result in.  Let’s take the spirit of a law.  Whatever that law may be interpreted as meaning, or however it might be applied, needs to be checked against what the law was actually intended to allow. It is far too easy to have a personal agenda and take the words of that law, rationalizing them into fitting what we want them to mean.  This is an unfortunate result of selfish thinking.  The same is true with Christmas.  The lights, the movies, the decorations, gifts, fanfare and food all tend to take away from the simplicity of the true spirit of Christmas.  So, what is the true intention of the Christmas holiday, and how do we pay our highest respect to it? Christmas is about Jesus, and it begins with giving.  Even though it is the wrong time of year (a subject for another time), we see his birth as its center.  Why does the Bible gives us so many details about how Jesus came into the world?  Because it was a complex and glorious matter that needed to be understood.  Jesus in his pre-human form was, by the power of God, to be reduced to an embryo.  This took supernatural power and supernatural communication to those who would be involved, specifically Mary and Joseph.  God’s plan in all of its miraculous complexity was accomplished through humble humans.  These things reveal a major part of the true spirit of Christmas as being expressed by giving. So much giving! Think about all of the giving involved here.  God’s plan was one that gave hope as He gave His son.  Mary gave herself over to ridicule and doubt to acquiesce to the will of God and become the mother of Jesus.  Joseph gave himself over to following angelic direction. This was was anything but natural and logical, marrying Mary and raising Jesus as his own son.  Jesus reduced himself to the form of a human so he could eventually give that life and lift all of humanity out of sin.  This is not the kind of giving we are used to at the Christmas season that entails fun and gifts, surprises and smiles.  No, this is profound giving on every level.  It is giving that is in place to bless and to obey.  It is giving that provides life. Giving and receiving are just the beginning of what the true spirit of Christmas is made of.  There are many other qualities that especially shine at this season.  Check out our December 23, 2019 podcast, “What is the True Spirit of Christmas?” for more. We look at several other powerful lessons from the experiences surrounding Jesus’ birth.  People often say that Christmas is a magical time.  We would like to suggest that its true meaning makes it much more of a transformative time.  Don’t miss this opportunity to have that transformation go to work in your life!

To live is to decide.  No matter who you are and what environment you live in, you will most likely be pressed with making an untold number of decisions. These will directly influence how your life will unfold.  This can be a scary thought because no one wants to make decisions that are bad!  Yet, most of us don’t seriously put in the time and effort to be sure the path we chose is good.  How can this be?  Much has to do with the way our minds work, social pressure and our desire for comfort. As Christians, we need to be keenly aware of these challenges, because our choices are supposed to always be in line with God’s will and Jesus’ footsteps.  How must we think and what must we do in order to keep our decisions in line with all that would bring glory to God? The human mind is very predictable when it comes to decision making.  No matter who we are we, our minds have some degree of pre-programming built into the process.  This is an instinctive efficiency measure.  It cuts out the need to consciously process every little decision about every little thing.  This can be both a very good thing and a very bad thing.  It all comes down to what information our pre-programming is based upon.  Is it based upon ethical and righteous thinking that seeks to do only that which is godly?  If so, we are indeed positioned for sound decision making.  Is it based upon previous experience, emotions and the influences of peer groups?  If so, we are typical and unfortunately set up to begin our decision making on the wrong foot. To have a better grasp on making the kind of decisions a true Christian should, we need to understand two things:  We need to know how to identify what drives our default decision making process.  We need to establish what principles we will always strive to abide by, as well as what influences we will seek to ignore. There are several very revealing biblical accounts that help us to unravel all of this.  King Solomon is a great place to start.  He became the wisest man in all the earth and then descended into selfishness and idolatry.  In some ways, his story is a paradox, as it seems that foolishness would naturally precede wisdom.  Yet, Solomon’s experience was the opposite.  Once we understand how and why he lost his grip on godliness and wisdom, our own decision making processes are easier to identify. Check out our December 16, 2019 podcast, “How Do I Know My Decisions Are Right?” for more.  We pull apart Solomon’s story along with experiences from Samuel the prophet.  We add some wise counsel from James and Paul.  To top things off, we look at some of Jesus’ teachings and uncover an unmistakable process for godly decision making.   Life is too valuable to experience without access to the best decision making tools.  Listen in and walk away better equipped!

Right is right and wrong is wrong!  A few generations ago, morality and ethics seemed simple: There were things you knew you should and should not do.  There were principles you knew needed to be present when it came down to making appropriate decisions.  There were societal consequences for stepping outside of those lines.  Now morality seems to have gone rogue. The idea of ethics seems to have been redefined to fit personal preference.  Now we say, “Right is right.” But we really mean is, “Right is what I feel is right for me. There isn’t much that's wrong, except when you try and infringe on my personal feeling of what’s right!”  What happened?  Does the whole concept of sin need to be re-evaluated? In the Bible the word for sin simply defined means “to miss the mark.”  The implication of this definition is plain.  Anything less that hitting the precise target – anything less than perfection - is sin.  When we look at this very black and white concept, it is nothing short of depressing.  None of us are capable of such continued excellence, so we are all destined to wallow in imperfection. By God’s grace, we have the great gift of the sacrifice of Jesus which ultimately balances that equation.  While this is a relief - an eternal relief - how do we in our everyday life keep the temptations of sin at bay? Information is everywhere to help us We live in a world where information is everywhere.  We can use this information to help us be better armed against all that contributes to our being desensitized to sin.  Unprecedented knowledge of the Bible, psychology and society enable us to be forewarned against the ever- growing number of ways this desensitization can happen.  While this is good and encouraging news, the bad news looms even larger. But the enemy is always one step ahead Sin is an insidious enemy.  In spite of all that we can and do know, this enemy has a way of keeping itself one step ahead.  While we want to easily label the things of darkness as “dark,” society comes along and demands we change our perceptions.  No longer is it easy (or even acceptable) to see life through the eyes of right and wrong.  We are now required to see life through the prism of individuality.  Each of us has somehow garnered the right to proclaim what we as single individuals will adhere to, regardless of any previously-valued standards.  This continually moves the target, which in turn makes missing the mark not only more common, it now becomes more confusing as well. How do we actually recognize sin and re-sensitize ourselves to it?  Check out our December 9, 2019 podcast, “Have We Become Too Desensitized to Sin?” for answers.  We trace the path societies have gone down that has them embrace darkness as light.  We look at three simple steps that trap us on that dark path and how to avoid them.  We also answer to difficult question as to whether Jesus accepts us as we are.  Sin is your armed and ready enemy.  Arm yourself to fight back!

We are going about our lives doing the best we can when suddenly we are receiving criticism for our talk, dress, actions or beliefs. Now what? Are we immediately defensive? Do we hurl back insults and accusations? Or do we cave internally, feeling really bad about ourselves and finding it hard to recover and move forward?  Not wanting to change stops our growth process. Defensiveness might come from either pride or insecurity – both of which need to be recognized and managed. We know we can always get better, so how do we take the pain of a jarring critique NOT as a roadblock or defeat, but use it as a tool to build our Christian character? The Criticizer  Let’s face it, there is power in criticism. If you are the criticizer, you wield a tool that can be used for building or demolition. It is you who decides what you are looking to accomplish, and your decision is boldly proclaimed in the delivery of your critique.  Are you cutting, demeaning and sarcastic?  If so, you are shamelessly focused on picking another apart.  Are you tactful, truthful and kind?  If so, you are gracefully focused on building another up.  Unfortunately, most of us usually don’t stop to think before we criticize.  We criticize as a reaction without thinking much at all.  The end result of this kind of criticism is usually destructive. The Criticized  We always envision the power of criticism as being held entirely in the words and delivery of the criticizer. Have you ever stopped to consider the great, even life-changing power the one being criticized holds?  Think about this. When someone criticizes us, their power is that of an offer and really no more. They offer a battle or an insult or an observation or even a suggestion.  Once the criticism is delivered, their power has ended. If I am receiving criticism, I now have all the power.  I take that offer and decide how to handle it. I have the power of application and conclusion. The bottom line is, we can choose to do something constructive with even the most harshly delivered criticism.  Our first tool for handling it is sincerity.  Do I really want to get better?  Am I willing to look whatever legitimate truth might be hidden within someone’s vitriolic words and filter it out for consideration?  Do I have the courage to accept that which is helpful and graciously discard the rest? This is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out our December 2, 2019 podcast, “How Can Criticism Help us Grow?” for more.  We  looked at biblical examples of criticism received and ignored. We find examples of how NOT to dish back the kind of criticism we might be given.  We talk about finding and standing on the solid and godly middle ground of response.  Whether you are inclined to fold your arms and fight back, or to run hide and carry the wounds of receiving criticism with you, there are answers you need to hear!

This of the most basic manners we teach our kids. We generally start by instructing them how to appropriately make a request for something and how to graciously receive it.  How do you ask?  “Please!”  What do you say?  “Thank you!”  These two simple communication tools (which incidentally seem to have been misplaced in our social media world) are not merely expressions of good manners, they are declarations of good character!  As we approach the American holiday of Thanksgiving, we want to focus on being thankful in a way that goes beyond typical platitudes.  How can we be truly and deeply thankful - even when our life experiences are difficult and harsh?  How can we make true thankfulness a way of life and not just words of praise? We often think of gratitude as an act of reciprocity – someone does something that has positive benefit and we show appreciation by being thankful.  While this is a good place to start, true gratitude can be expressed for many wider and deeper reasons.  Take loyalty for example, the ongoing experience of having someone exhibit life-long loyalty towards us. True gratitude is not expressed in a simple gesture of thanks to them. It is expressed in our transformedlife actionsthat their loyalty affords us. This kind of thanksgiving makes us better, as it continually draws us up to a higher standard and quality of life. As we begin to understand the broad application gratitude can have, we need to pause and consider its role in our hard life experiences. Pain and thanksgiving are not bvious partners. As a matter of fact, some of our greatest gratitude experiences are driven by pain and suffering leaving us. This is the gratitude of relief, and it is important and appropriate. As Christians, it is our charge to rise to higher levels of thanksgiving. A verse in 1 Thessalonians instructs us, “In everything give thanks.” The obvious implication here is to grow into an attitude of life that is able to express thanksgiving not only when a bad experience ends, but as we are going through it as well. How do we do this?  Being thankful in the midst of pain and suffering is not natural, it is not easy and it is, frankly, not even expected by our peers. Yet, this is our goal. Check out our November 25, 2019 podcast, “How Can We Be Thankful When Life is So Hard?” We not only walk through biblical principles of gratitude and its application, we also share a dramatic personal testimony from a Christian woman. This woman lives with chronic and severe pain daily and has for years. It has completely changed her life and essentially taken away many of her previous opportunities. In her testimony she recounts how she has learned to accept this hard way of life. She also shares the new-found power and privilege she has been given because of this trial.  Do not miss this inspiring view of gratitude!

It’s funny how certain fanciful images make their way into the human mind and somehow become a part of our belief foundation.  Case in point – someone dies and the next thing we know, we visualize them standing before those massive and ornate “pearly gates” of heaven.  Once issued their wings and harp, we see them as having “made it” into eternal bliss.  Or how about the common and comforting idea that someone who has passed is now an angel looking down on us and protecting us?  Do human beings REALLY turn into angels when they die?  What about angels - can they ever turn into people?  Are these ideas based on the Bible or do the Scriptures tell us something else about life after death? Most of us never think about God’s heavenly and earthly creation as having been designed in several distinct levels of existence. Why? Because we don’t stop to ask the right questions and instead make assumptions about how human nature functions. Unfortunately, these assumptions have to do with tradition and what we see in the movies, not actual biblical writing. Humans becoming angels when they die is one of those traditions, with no basis in Scripture. How do we know? Earthly creation We begin with a basic premise that God’s creative process has clear-cut classes of creation within nature. These are relatively easy to define by looking at the creative days in the book of Genesis. While this account is not detailed or complete, it is an outline from which we can gain specific direction and insight. It describes the sequential appearance of atmosphere, earth and water. Grass, plants and trees begin to grow. Then the waters bring forth sea creatures. Birds are created, then the earth brings forth land animals. We get a sense of orderly hierarchy. There is a dramatic difference between how the earth "brought forth" animals versus God specifically creating humanity to have dominion over the rest of creation. There are planes of existence in the earthly creation. Heavenly creation The record of the creative days does not give us insight into the creation of angels, as we are earthly and not even remotely connected with their beginning. But we are given some clues as to what spirit beings are like, including that they are mortal.  Quoting from Psalms, the book of Hebrews explains man was made "a little lower than the angels." There is no bridge between the earthly and angelic natures where one can morph into the other. We are told of different kinds of spirit beings, with God at the very top as immortal and divine. There are planes of existence in the heavenly creation. With very few exceptions for very specific reasons, natures do not change. The Bible's narrative can be summed up in four words: Paradise lost; paradise restored. It is the details in the middle that tell just how that will miraculous work will be accomplished. Check out our November 18, 2019 podcast, “Do People Turn Into Angels When They Die?” for more. We discuss what mankind actually lost and how it will be restored. (Hint: Man never "lost" a spiritual body to restore.) If Jesus' followers don't become angels, what is the heavenly reward they are promised in the New Testament all about? It is so much more than you might have thought!

As Christians we follow Jesus.  His life story is told in the New Testament of the Bible and we rightfully focus on those books.  Sometimes though, our focus brings us away from the rest of the story – the Old Testament.  We think, why do we need all of that Jewish history?  Why do we need to know who conquered whom and how all the rituals worked that God required of the Jewish nation to show their loyalty to Him?  The fact is, we NEED the Old Testament and we need it badly!  This need is dramatically illustrated in the Tabernacle – the portable tent and furnishings the Jews carried with them during their 40-year wilderness experience.  The story the Tabernacle tells is a breathtaking example of God’s care and His foresight. It is probably hard to relate to Israel way back 3,600 years ago.  They were miraculously delivered from the horrible slavery of Egypt and were now in the wilderness.  They were brought to the land of Canaan, the land they had been promised but were too scared to take it.  Even though God had assured them of victory, they shied away from the fight.  As punishment, God sent them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.  How would they survive?  God would provide for them in many ways beyond their own imaginations. The Tabernacle was a physical manifestation of God's presence How would they know God was with them?  How would they know God had not just left them there to die?  Here is where their Tabernacle came into play.  This Tabernacle was kind of like a Temple on wheels  for worshipping God.  Wherever and whenever they were to set up camp, this portable Temple was to be set up in the middle of all their tents and herds. One of the amazing details of this structure was that the people could literally see God’s presence.  By day, there was a dark cloud that stayed over its holiest room, and it turned to a pillar of fire by night.  What’s more amazing is they knew when they were to pull up camp and move because the cloud moved first! There are multiple “why” questions that surface here.  Why did they need this structure? The fact is, no one was even allowed in the two holy rooms except the priesthood.  Why was this portable building so precisely constructed?  Exact dimensions and details were given for every part of this building.  There was lots of gold overlay work and beautifully embroidered linen coverings that could only be seen from the inside.  Why did this building have such unusual furniture? Check out our November 11, 2019 podcast, “Should Christians Care about the Jewish Tabernacle?” for answers. With our special guest, Tom Ruggirello, we look at the Tabernacle’s details, construction, measurements and building materials.  What we find is treasure map of sorts that shows us God’s love care and requirements for His people, both Jewish and Christian.  This Tabernacle is about YOU – find out its message!

Have you ever heard the expression “putting out the fleece” when referring to someone trying to make a decision?  Its origin comes from an unlikely biblical hero from an unremarkable tribe. He was the youngest of an insignificant family.  Yet, Gideon was chosen by God to do a mighty work – to free Israel from the cruel oppression of the Midianites and Amalekites.  Getting such an unnoticed individual to do works of such greatness took providence and patience on God’s part. Gideon needed to develop a God-based confidence to boldly move forward and stand against enemies of immense power.  The story of this man’s journey inspired a nation and left a trail of lessons for us to apply in our everyday Christian walk. When it came to Israel, God was specific and predictable.  From the time they became a nation when Moses led them out of Egypt, God’s approach was always the same:  Accept My guidance, follow My Laws and keep Me first and I will bless you.  Make light of My guidance, ignore My laws and descend into idolatry and you will suffer consequences.  When Gideon arrived on the scene, Israel was blatantly idolatrous and had gone through seven years of being terrorized by enemies.  God determined it was time for deliverance, and Gideon was to be their vessel of salvation. How the victory was won One of the two basic themes of Gideon’s story is the counterintuitive nature of how the victory is won. It begins with Gideon himself.  As he is called into God’s service by way of a visit from an angel, Gideon’s response sets the tone.  He basically says, "Who are you calling a 'valiant warrior'? I am insignificant! You must have the wrong guy!"  Yet the angel persists and gives him a task that will lead to war with an enemy who is overwhelmingly more powerful than Israel. Gideon does what he is assigned to do and promptly has his life threatened.  This small action seems senseless and makes it look like Gideon is picking a fight with the toughest, meanest warrior around.  Why does God begin and follow through in this experience this way?  It is the counterintuitive approach that says, "When I am on God’s side, the odds are always with me." The odds were seemingly stacked against him The second basic theme of Gideon’s story is his continued need for assurance.  God gave Gideon a nation-changing task of conquering an enemy whose soldiers at the time of battle would outnumber Gideon’s small army 450 to one.  To be able to consciously go into battle with such ridiculous odds stacked against you, reassurance becomes a major necessity.  Check out our November 4, 2019 podcast, “Who Was Gideon?” for more.  We examine the extraordinary requests Gideon makes of God to help him be sure of his actions and see how God responds.  We look at the equally mind boggling, and on the surface ridiculous, requests God makes of Gideon to secure victory.  Gideon’s valiant and godly behavior in the face of impossibility is an inspiration.  Be part of it!

The world is scary in a lot of ways.  There is an “anything goes” mentality surrounding us. This gives us the feeling there is no buffer between us and the dark, worldly or spiritual influences that exist.  One of these dark influences is reflected in the rising popularity of satanism.  When we hear that word – satanism – we may form a frightening, even hideous image in our minds of dark occult and bloody sacrifice-based rituals.  This image is most likely a serious distortion of the truth.  Does this mean we are defending satanism as a wholesome practice?  Absolutely not!  It does mean we want to know exactly what we are dealing with so we can understand how to keep ourselves and others from being manipulated by ungodly influences.  Satanism is something to stay away from, but not for the reasons you may think! Do satanists worship Satan? Generally, satanists don’t worship Satan, or for that matter, even believe he exists.  At the outset this can easily sound like a contradiction of terms.  How do you build a belief system around that which you freely acknowledge is not even real?  The answer to this is quite simple. Anton LaVey created “satanism” and brought it into the public eye in 1966 when he established “The Church of Satan.”  His premise was not to promote the worship of Satan but instead to promote the personal human application of what Satan (a mythical symbol in his mind) stands for. As Christians, when we look at what Satan stands for our conclusions will inevitably differ from those who want to emulate his principles.  We see his multiple names described in Scripture and get a sense of his character.  The name “Satan” means adversary – one who opposes another.  “Adversary” does not have to be inherently bad, as opposing that which is evil is both necessary and good.  In Satan’s case, the Bible tells us he is standing in opposition to God, the benevolent Creator of all things. Another description used for Satan is “the devil,” which literally means “one who exposes to shame or blame by means of falsehood and misrepresentation.”  If we are honest, this description cannot be twisted into describing a valuable characteristic that is worth following.  It has no redeeming value either personally or socially.  By just reviewing these two descriptions, our conclusion is obvious: Satan is opposed to the light of God. Contrary to these conclusions, a satanist sees Satan as a pioneer, inventor and a counterbalance that creates change.  Satan is seen as setting the social climate for modification.  The satanist view elevates individualism and rational human thinking above all else.  It sees Satan as exampling these things in his own story.  What are we supposed to do with all of this?  Check out our October 28, 2019 podcast, “What is Satanism?” for answers.  We examine satanism and its principles. Then we measure it against what we believe are principles of true light.  This reveals the subtleties and pitfalls to which we are all susceptible.  Know what you stand for and against...and why!

How often do we hear of someone who just seems to have everything going wrong in their lives? They suffer loss, they have physical ailments, they are deeply distressed and their life seems to be going nowhere.  Sometimes when we are that suffering person, we may begin to wonder, what did I do to deserve this?  Is God mad at me? Am I cursed?  When in dire circumstances these can be very human questions that actually have the ability to unravel our faith.  We can easily allow seeds of doubt to be planted in our hearts which leads to becoming unnerved in our minds.  Bottom line, if we weren’t thrown off by our circumstances, we can certainly be derailed by our reactions.  Does God really get mad at us?  As Christians, does He ever curse us? Weren't Adam and Eve cursed? Even though we may not think so, the idea of God cursing individuals is actually a strange one. I say that because when we look in the Bible to find a history of God’s curses, it does not read the way we might expect. Let’s start with Genesis and the serious sins of disobedience Adam and Eve committed. When it came down to proclaiming consequences God began with Satan. The deceiver was in the form of a serpent and God did curse him, relegating him to the dust of the ground. When it came to Eve and then Adam, he did not curse them. He punished them, but there was no curse upon them. God did, however, curse the ground because of Adam. This curse implied that the ground outside of the garden would not have the same natural fertility as the ground in Eden. Essentially, God’s gift of a life-sustaining environment for his human family would need much more of their own effort to keep them going. Wasn't Cain cursed? The same basic theme is applied when Cain killed his brother Abel. The only curse recorded was again upon the ground and not upon Cain himself. So, what’s the point of all this? It is to establish that God (while He does use curses in some places) is not some curse-happy Dictator who vindictively spoils peoples' lives when they make Him unhappy. Now let’s go back to the question of our personal pain and hardships. God does NOT curse us with suffering. On the other hand, a strong case can be made that He actually is blessing us because of and through these things. Check out our October 21, 2019 podcast, “My Life is Full of Suffering – Am I Cursed?” for details. Once we firmly establish what curses really are, how they work and why they are there, we then address suffering. We open up how the Bible speaks of trials, pain and trauma coming from many different kinds of experiences. We look at these hardships, weigh them in the context of God’s grace and reveal His extraordinary blessing and providence in their wake.

Most Christians will tell you that once you are called to Christ, it means you are called to be "footstep followers of Jesus."  While this description is easily given, it is not so easily explained.  How can we walk in his footsteps as a disciple when we are really nothing like him?  He was perfect, we are not.  He gave his life as a ransom for Adam and therefore bought back the human race from sin.  We have no such mission or value.  Jesus performed miracles and taught profound lessons. We can just appreciate his miracles and spend our time absorbing what he taught.  So, what is following Jesus all about? In his own words, Jesus told us to deny ourselves.  What does that mean?  Are we supposed to live in a way that makes us never do what we want to do?  The Apostle Paul said, "I die daily." What did he mean? We usually think about loving Jesus and being his disciple as two ways to describe the same thing, but this isn't a complete conclusion.  At one particular point in Jesus' ministry he was speaking to the crowds that flocked around him.  Regarding being his true followers, he told them there would come a point they would end up on the outside looking in. Jesus explained their reaction would be one of shock and surprise.  They would recount to him their interactions with him and their following along with him, but Jesus' response would be, “I never knew you!” Are we followers or just fans? This tells us discipleship entails much more than familiarity and appreciation. It requires a changing of one’s life and an overhauling of one’s most basic priorities.  Jesus himself described the path required to follow him as a "narrow way," a way few actually find.  His continual teaching and personal example regarding serving others, being humble and seeking God’s will above all else verifies this. What Jesus didn’t expand upon regarding being his footstep follower, the Apostles and writers of the New Testament did. Based on all of this, has our conclusion changed regarding loving and appreciating Jesus in comparison to actual discipleship? Even if this is enough to give us pause, we also need to consider the basic question of how discipleship actually begins.  Is the decision to follow Jesus an entirely personal decision, one that you might discuss with close family members?  While this IS part of the discipleship process it is not the beginning of it. Discipleship actually begins with God Himself.  The Bible plainly tells us He is the one who decides who has opportunity to follow Jesus and who does not.  This simple statement opens the door for a whole host of new questions! Check out our October 14, 2019 podcast, “Jesus Died For You! Are You Dying For Him?” for answers.  We examine what discipleship is, how it starts and how it progresses.  We break down the basic discipleship decision, what true devotion looks like and how to access genuine discipline.  Putting these pieces together reveals the mosaic of what a true follower of Jesus looks like.  This is an image we all need to see!  

Being uprooted can mean a lot of different things.  It can be the onset of a disease or disability, the loss of a job or loved one or experiencing a difficult trauma.  Maybe it is a change of location - a physical move or perhaps an emotional jolt that makes us reset our thinking. Being uprooted is by definition unexpected, unwelcome and uncomfortable. It messes up our lives! Christians might like to think that because we have God working in our daily experiences, we are going to be shielded from such things.  This is entirely untrue. On the surface this might seem disappointing, because nobody wants to go through experiences that mess everything up! The good news is that uprooting experiences, especially for a Christian, can be some of the greatest tools of our lives! How do we change a difficult, uprooting kind of circumstance into a tool for growth?  While there is no magic potion that alters the reality of our experience, there is something powerful we all can access.  Perspective.  Perspective does not have any power over the uprooting challenges we may face.  It does not take away an illness, cancel out an emotional loss or reverse a job change.  So, if perspective can’t change the undesirable circumstances we are facing, what good is it?  Turns out that perspective can, if we let it, alter our destiny. Ask the right question When faced with hard circumstances - even as  people of faith - we often react with some bewilderment.  It is easy to blurt out that age-old question of frustration, “What does God want from me?” We can all sympathize, as we have all felt this way at one time or another.  Here one of the great hidden truths of life regarding the questions we ask comes into play.  We can never get the right answers unless we are asking the right questions!  It is in this moment where perspective has its power.  Instead of asking, “What does God want FROM me?” we should consider asking, “What does God want FOR me?” With this subtle yet mind altering change, we are suddenly looking for how God will walk us through an experience rather than wondering why he dropped us into it.   We can now see the uprooting we face with assurance rather than bewilderment.  We are acknowledging that God has a reason behind it.  This is perspective beginning to shine! How do we put this all together to have an impact?  Check out our October 7, 2019 podcast, “How Do You Handle Being Uprooted in Life?”  We walk through several biblical examples of individuals being uprooted.  We observe how each of these uprooting experiences was different in the way they came about.  They all had diverse reasons for happening.  Most importantly we trace God’s “why” for these heroes of faith and how that “why” can easily apply to us as well.  Uprooting happens!  Make it work for you!

One of the very basic tenets of Christianity is the belief that God does not change. We see him as omnipotent, above the fray and the embodiment of clear vision and intention. As such we believe that when God’s plan has been put in motion it is a universally unstoppable force. Enter the concept of prayer. Not only are we instructed to pray for and about things, we are shown several scriptural examples where prayer seems to have changed God’s mind. How can these things be? Why would we pray if God has already decided and how is it even possible to change the mind of He who is unchangeable? Does prayer change God's mind? The answers, as is usually the case, are not found on the surface. They are rooted in the depth of scriptural meaning and provide profound biblical insight into the extraordinary character of God! What about the Scriptures that say God changed His mind? Here we are commenting on the mind of God and whether or not it is changeable.  It’s easy to look at the Bible and see some Scriptures that say God changed His mind and think, “Well, that settles it.  God is changeable therefore ultimately NOT reliable. This means He is not to be trusted or followed.  But it is silly to go down that road.  Why? These accounts were written 2,000 to 4,000 thousand years ago in an ancient language.  We are reading about the Creator of the universe – the being who was there before anything else was.  We have the audacity to conclude, based on these few sentences in question, what the whole character of God is based upon.  Silly! A better approach Why not take this approach:  Read these Scriptures within the context they were written.  Examine the words and find their clearest meanings for the time and circumstances in which they were used. Understand who is speaking, who is being spoken to and why.  Then put those findings against the backdrop of what we know through other Scriptures about God.  With all these ingredients in the mix, we certainly have a much better chance of finding the truth of the matter. Think about this.  You made up your mind to build a bridge.  As you go through the designing and engineering processes, you lay out the steps for construction.  During the actual construction process, one of your trusted engineers comes to you and says, “I think following Plan B instead of Plan A will better reflect all you want this bridge to accomplish."  You have faith in this engineer’s dedication to the project, so you follow his suggestion to use Plan B.  Did you change your mind?  No!  Did you change the method with which you accomplished what your mind was set to do?  Yes! Check out our September 30, 2019 podcast, “Can Our Prayers Change God’s Mind?” for more.  Follow along as we examine the Scriptures that speak about God “changing" His mind.  As we uncover the true meanings of those verses, we also discover greater depth to the character of God.  This is a conversation worth having!  

Sometimes we have people in our lives who seem to create difficulty wherever they go. This can be for a variety of reasons including the fact that WE could be actually attracting such folks into our experiences. For now, let’s assume there are some people who simply live unhappy and unfulfilled lives. In their search for feelings of significance they become a drain to others! Being in their presence diminishes hope, poisons happiness and upsets relationships. Their influence quietly becomes a centerpiece or even an obsession in our daily experience. What do we do? Walk away?  Tell them off?  Mount an attack of our own? What is the Christian thing to do? How does the Bible guide us through such extreme circumstances of dealing with toxic people? What about turning the other cheek? When faced with toxic people, it seems one of the “go to” Scriptures for any Christian is Jesus' famous words in Matthew 5 where he advised us to “turn the other cheek.”  The assumed implication here is that we are supposed to rise above whatever the demeaning behavior or words are.  We are to be the bigger person and “just take it.”  While we are supposed to be gracious in such difficulties, the idea of becoming someone’s doormat is far from what Jesus was teaching us. How did Jesus himself manage the toxic accusations and behaviors of those who sought to undermine his ministry?  In the end, we know he absorbed their vitriol.  He willingly experienced torment, torture, crucifixion and death.  Amazingly, he willingly did these things for the benefit of those who hated him!  However, during his 3 1/2-year ministry, Jesus handled those same people and their anger in a very different way.  He talked to them and responded to their questions.  He witnessed the truth to them.  Jesus did NOT enter into their game.  He did NOT absorb their accusations and insults; he handled them instead.  Jesus never considered himself to be the person they accused him of being.  He always saw himself through the eyes of his Father. Our natural reactions are likely not righteously appropriate. Understanding how Jesus handled the toxic behavior of those who so vehemently wanted to ruin him is a huge step.  It gives us a basis for managing the difficult relationships we undoubtedly have to cope with.  We learn our natural reactions to toxicity are usually not the healthiest responses.  We need to become aware of the difference between emotional convenience and what is righteously appropriate. Check out our September 23, 2019 podcast, “How Do You Deal with Toxic People?” for more.  We address several key principles to deal with toxicity and how to be conduit for communicating through the mess.  We talk about the differences between absorbing and handling the abuse.  Most importantly, we talk about the fact that we have a choice.  Will you continue to welcome toxic behavior whenever it shows up, or will you choose to set boundaries and repel its poison?  You decide!

This continues our series on Bible Contradictions.  The life of Jesus as a man on earth was filled with wonder, teaching and miracles.  His obedience to his Father’s will was the centerpiece of his mission, as he came to pay the ransom price for Adam.  Critics say Jesus’ earthly life was also filled with contradictions.  They say these discrepancies are reasonable cause to doubt the validity of what he did, taught and stood for.  They also point to these inconsistencies as proof the Bible is not the unerring word of God.  Once again, we will look at some of the Scriptures the critics bring up and examine them. Our objective is simple – find out what these several citations actually mean in the light of context, history and common sense! Wasn't his name supposed to be Immanuel? These contradictions surrounding Jesus began even before he was born!  One particular discrepancy has to do with his name.  When Mary got pregnant the angel Gabriel appeared to both Joseph and Mary separately.  This angel, sent from God in heaven, specifically tells them to name the child "Jesus." This is easy and understandable so far.  In the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 21, Matthew adds this was to be a direct fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy about a virgin conceiving.  Again, understandable...until Matthew tells us the name of the child would be “Immanuel.”  Why wasn’t Jesus named Immanuel?  Why did an angel of God tell them to name him Jesus, in direct contradiction to the prophecy? Which is right? Looking at this issue from where we sit today can raise a legitimate question regarding the integrity of Scripture.  And this is just one of the multiple problems regarding Jesus’ life and ministry.  Several other questions deal with easily-traceable things like time and place.  For example, when did Jesus start his teaching?  Was it before or after John the Baptist was put in prison?  (The Bible seems to say both.) What about after Jesus was baptized?  Two of the gospels say he went into the wilderness for 40 days to fast and pray.  The Gospel of John seems to indicate he was at a wedding three days after his baptism.  What about the temptations in the wilderness?  The two Gospels that list them put them in a different order! When we have these issues listed out for us in this way, it can really look daunting.  Why are there so many things, often simple things, that don’t seem to make sense?  The good news is, these things DO make sense!  Check out our September 16, 2019 podcast, “Contradictions (Part VI): Do the Accounts of Jesus’ Life Contradict Themselves?”  We meticulously cover every one of the questions we have alluded to here, as well as some others.  We found that each and every issue has a logical, scriptural and context-based answer.  These answers are not only solid in their reasoning, they solve the potential doubts that can easily arise when someone challenges your faith by waving these Scriptures in front of you.    

This continues our series on biblical contradictions.  Genesis is the first book of the Bible and its foundation.  It lays out for us the origin of the intricacies of our world, as well as the origins of the human race.  Morality is introduced, and this book takes us through the first few thousand years of the human experience.  Genesis - particularly the creation account - is profoundly important to our understanding of God and our place in His universe.  Critics of the Bible seem to love this creation account.  They are quick to point out that in its very first chapter the book presents itself as not only wildly contradictory, but clearly unscientific as well.  They conclude it is simply a collection of tales and imaginations.  Are they right?  Does the creation account support fanciful stories to give the ignorant something to hold onto, or is it actually based in fact? The very first verse of the Bible reads, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...”  These few words lay the foundation for both great misrepresentation as well as great truth.  The trouble in this verse comes when we assume a subject is being spoken of that isn’t.  “In the beginning...” - what beginning?  Many take this as the beginning of the universe, as it says "God created the heavens and the earth."  Nothing could be further from the truth!  If we would only read a few verses down we would discover that the word "heavens" is actually referring to earth’s atmosphere.  Once we understand this, it is easy to see “In the beginning” is not universal.  It is only about the establishment of earth as a life-supporting planet. Once we know the creation account in Genesis is only about the earth, we can then begin to grasp its details. Critics are quick to point out the order of creation is flawed in the six creative days.  They say that light/the sun was obviously created on the first day and then again claims to be created on the fourth day.  Further, they read the creation of the fourth day to include the moon and stars.  If they are right, this would reveal several dramatic contradictions of the Bible against itself, not to mention science. Check out our September 9, 2019 podcast,“Contradictions (Part V): What Profound Secret Does Creation Reveal?” for details.  We carefully go through the supposed Genesis chapter 1 discrepancies and put the account in order as it is meant to be read.  We then look at Genesis 2.  This chapter seems to be in direct and blatant contradiction of the first chapter!  What we find here is not only a logical answer it is a profound truth about the character of God. The biblical account of creation is far deeper and more in tune with science than the average person may think.  Unraveling these connections requires not just thought, attention and study; it requires a desire to know the truth.  Follow along with us on this path as we unfold these conclusions.  It is a journey worth taking!  

This continues our series on biblical contradictions.  Ask any Christian and they will tell you one of the greatest - if not THE greatest - events in all of biblical history is the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion.  We laud this event as the undeniable guarantee that God’s plan for the world’s salvation is entirely unstoppable.  This event not only sealed the ransom payment as received, it also sealed the fate of Satan as well.  With so much riding on this event, you would think the narrative given us in Scripture would be the most crystal clear account in the entire Bible.  That is NOT the case.  The event is recorded by all four gospels and each of them seems to contradict the others!  Why so many resurrection contradictions?  Those who seek to destroy the Bible’s credibility are quick to say these discrepancies are proof of the Bible’s fallibility.  Are they?  Let’s take them one at a time and find out. Eyewitness Accounts There are several details of the early morning Jesus was resurrected that the four Gospels report with marked differences.  Before getting into any of those differences, it is important to note the existence of inconsistencies actually lends to credibility.  Let’s look at the reasoning.  The Gospel of Luke reports there were at least five women who showed up early that morning to anoint Jesus body.  None of those women actually wrote any of the accounts.  The Gospel writers would have had to interview any number of them to get their story.  Have you ever heard two or three people report a traumatic event in exactly the same way?  Of course not!  What makes us think that they would have been any different? Some may say if the Bible is the infallible word of God we say it is, this kind of inconsistency would not appear.  Actually, the opposite is here again true.  The Bible never seeks to alter any character’s perspective or to hide or spin their behavior. Such dishonesty would take away the authority of Scripture.  Instead, we have reports from several eyewitnesses collected for us to merge into one larger narrative.  The approach would then be to pool all of the details that seem contradictory and produce the sequential account. Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene is the one individual who appears in all four accounts of Jesus’ resurrection.  She is the one who had seven demons cast out of her.  Mary’s complete dedication to honoring Jesus after his death is one of the lynchpins of this dramatic event.  The book of John particularly focuses on her story.  Her experience becomes the baseline for putting the several versions in order.  Check out our September 2, 2019 podcast, “Contradictions: (Part IV): Why So Many Contradictions Surrounding Jesus’ Resurrection?” for the details.  We not only examine all of the supposed discrepancies between the Gospels, we use them to build the logic and sequence the event. What some claim is such a contradictory problem is actually a touching and powerful story!

This continues our series on biblical contradictions. See Part I and Part II for more. We all need foundational principles to believe in and solid ground to stand on. Human nature thrives where such a firm base can be found. Achievement can flourish when there is unflinching belief, in a relationship, the science of a matter or one’s own talent. For Bible-believing Christians, this foundation does not get any more significant than the unwavering character of God Himself. All that we stand for relies on the truth of who God is and what drives Him. It is this very foundation of God’s own character that many critics boisterously attack.  Accusations fly, claiming the Bible itself condemns our God. They claim it shows the contradictions about God in His actions, flaws in His character and general confusion about what He wants from us.   Let’s be honest, there are several scriptures that certainly seem to expose contradictory views about God. What do those texts really say, and are we willing to accept truth over opinion? While there are several areas critics claim the Bible sends mixed messages about God, we will only mention a few for now. First is the general accusation that God is a God of confusion. They say it would be so easy for God to just reveal Himself, answer everyone’s questions and make everyone happy. While this is a nice storybook-like approach, it really has no basis in reality. God is a God of plans and purposes. The vast majority of these are too big and complex be known by everyone right here and now. Think about this:  You have a fair understanding of basic algebra. You pick up a textbook on Advanced Calculus and begin reading. You become totally confused. Just because you are confused does not mean the textbook is confused – it is simply beyond your grasp. Perhaps the apparent confusion surrounding God can be viewed in the same way. Second, let’s look at the Ten Commandments. The second commandment states  God’s people are not to have any graven images.  Not too much further along in Israel’s wilderness wandering experiences, God instructs Moses to make an image. It was an image of a serpent to be lifted up on a pole as a focal point for specific healing.  This absolutely seems to contradict the very commandment  God Himself gave to those same people. Not only does this seem to blatantly undermine God’s own commands, it is done by the authority of God Himself! Was God contradicting Himself to Israel and to us with this action? Check out our August 26, 2019 podcast, “Contradictions (Part 4): Does God Contradict Himself?” We thoroughly examine this particular issue and find the scriptural proof for what was really going on. We also examine God's anger. Is His anger in direct contradiction to  being a God of love? And what about the question some raise as to whether or not God forsakes His people? We look at all of these questions and more and present you with honest, scripturally-based reasoning. Don’t miss it!  

It is a sad thing to say, but slander and gossip are easy.  They are.  Whether by spoken word or social media interaction, we are set up to say things, write things and imply things about others without recourse.  For some reason we think it is okay to slam those we don’t like with twisted facts and partial truths.  It is looked upon as cool or even clever to attack those whom we see as our opposition with innuendo and unverified stories!  Wait a minute – we need to ask ourselves – do I consider myself to be a moral person?  Am I a professed follower of Christ?  Do I ever contribute to this mess by dishing it out OR receiving it? Let’s face it, any participation in this kind of slanderous and evil behavior is in no way and under no circumstances EVER justifiable for any Christian or moral person!  How do we stop it? Based on the actual meaning of the word, the kindest definition of "gossip" we could come up with is "hushed, idle and careless talk." Gossip is the creating or repeating of things that should not be said because they are not true, not the whole story or because they are no one else’s business.  Gossip happens easily and sometimes unintentionally.  In short, gossip is everywhere.  Slander is more of a spoken-out-loud misrepresentation of someone with the intention of damaging that person’s character, reputation or record.  It is much harder (though not impossible) to slander someone unintentionally.  Like gossip, slander also seems to have taken up permanent residence in our daily lives. The Bible is very blunt about these things and heartily condemns them at every turn. In the New Testament there are several lists of the worst kinds of behavior Christians should run from.  We are warned that engaging in these things can keep us out of God’s kingdom!  It is amazing to see the consistency with which both gossip and slander make appearances on these lists.  The lesson here is obvious.  We need reminding to avoid what is not only hurtful but easy to get involved with. How can we be sure we are NOT engaging in gossip and slander? There is no better way figure this out than to tell a true story.  Check out our August 19, 2019 episode, “If I Slander and Gossip, What Does That Say about Me?”  We tell the heart-wrenching story of a Christian woman who slandered someone. She describes the chaos and destruction she caused by speaking a few simple words.  Her candid account shows the emotional havoc she brought upon others and herself.  It reveals how close her life came to ruin.  It reviews the many practical steps she necessarily took to learn why her words were so damaging and how to own what she said.  Her story also brings us to the victory that came to her through prayer, study, humility and action. We are easy prey for gossip and slander.  Don’t get caught by surprise!

Jesus died for our sins, and if we believe in him we will go to heaven.  This common Christian belief that ties Jesus’ sacrifice and our salvation up into one neat package sounds simple, but it actually raises many questions.  What does it mean to “believe” in Jesus?  Is belief in his teachings the point or is it believing in the fact of and reason for his death? What is salvation? Is it just praying the Sinner’s Prayer?  It it a change of heart or a complete life overhaul?  Does everyone who experiences salvation go to heaven?  What about Jesus praying for God’s kingdom on earth?  To sort this all out, we need to look at how the Bible says the pieces go together.  First, we need to understand Jesus’ ransom and the specific role it plays. Once this is in place, understanding salvation becomes much easier! Let’s be clear.  The ransom Jesus paid for our sins as he was crucified on Calvary’s cross is entirely different from the salvation that comes to each of us afterwards.  Understanding they are two completely different things is a critical step in being able to comprehend God’s plan for humanity.  What do we know about Jesus’ sacrifice?  Plenty.  First, it was a "one size fits all" event.  There are many Christian theories about how this works, so let’s go past them all and get to the main point.  The simple and scriptural reason for Jesus’ ransom being once for all is that he died for Adam’s sin.  Romans chapter 5 makes this clearly known and also explains that because we are the posterity of Adam, our sins are also included. What does this mean for salvation?  While salvation is squarely built upon the sole foundation of the ransom, it works in an entirely different way.  Here again, there are many Christian theories at work but for the most part do not adequately answer many of the hard questions.  What about people who lived before Jesus – what is their link to salvation?  What happens to those who never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel or meet a Christian?  Are they simply cut out of the reach of being saved?  Does salvation work the same way for everyone?  The Bible is very clear as it deals which every one of these difficult and important questions. Check out our August 12, 2019 podcast, “Are Jesus’ Ransom and Our Salvation the Same?” for the details.  The scriptural and logical pathway to clarifying salvation is surprisingly easy to follow.  Walk along with us as we dispel interpretations and theories that attempt to make salvation a "one size fits all" package.  Follow our scriptural reasoning as we consider the many texts that open salvation’s wide application. Understand the radically different results being saved brings, depending upon who is claiming it.  As you see the Scriptures revealed on this subject, it is sure to be a light bulb experience!  Don’t miss it!

Jealousy and envy are often very secret sins.  We invite them into our lives and harbor them deeply in our hearts where they fester and grow.  One day we look around, and if we are observant, we realize we are seeing our world through different and damaged eyes.  Jealousy and envy not only damage our personal character and outlook, they can easily damage our relationships and our perceptions of others as well.  What brings us to the place where these things creep in and take hold of our very lives?  How do we recognize them, and how do we take steps to not only fight back but overcome and defeat them? First, is there a difference between jealousy and envy?  A good working comparison is: Jealousy is the emotion that occurs when we anticipate or feel the loss of something of great value to us.  The key point here is that you are experiencing an actual loss or the loss of something you fully expected to have.  Envy is the emotion that occurs when we experience an extreme desire for something someone else has.  The comparative point here is there is no actual loss; rather, the emotion stems from seeing and wanting someone or something that is out of reach.  It is unfortunately very easy to have both of these insidious emotions plaguing us simultaneously. Sadly, we are far too often willing to accept jealousy and envy as part of life.  We allow them to take root in our hearts figuring they are natural and therefore somehow tolerable.  Nothing could be further from the truth!   Both the Old and New Testament writings are pointed on this subject.  They call out jealousy and envy for what they are – sins – grievous sins. The Bible is explicit in its descriptions of the damage they do. A graphic example is the dedicated Christian woman we had on our podcast with us to discuss jealousy and envy.  All of her life she had a deep-rooted desire to be a mom.  She married the right man, also a deeply dedicated Christian.  They settled into and built a good life together and then discovered they were not able to have children.  That discovery in and of itself was completely devastating.  What happened after was even worse, as jealousy and envy crept into her heart and mind.  It seemed as though everyone was getting pregnant, and the sense of loss coupled with discontent just grew.  She found herself out of place in her own life. What did she do?  How did she find her way back to a godly and gracious mindset?  Check out our August 5, 2019 podcast, “Am I a Jealous Christian?” and hear the story yourself.  This courageous woman laid out very the specific, scripturally-based steps she took to beat back the monstrous and debilitating effects that jealousy and envy wreaked in her life.  This is a story of victory and a story you don’t want to miss!

The New Testament gives us a clear picture of Jesus replacing the Old Testament Law as our path to life.  As Christians we all agree with this, and yet so many of us still follow parts of that old Jewish Law.  Why?  Are certain aspects of it supposed to be carried over?  Are we required to keep the Sabbath or tithe?  What about “honor your father and mother”?  Shouldn’t we always do that?  With these particular questions on the table, we might conclude that Jesus didn’t really override the Law but instead just made some major adjustments.  Can that be true?  Fortunately the New Testament makes this all clear.  It all comes down to what Jesus did and did not do...and the answer is powerful! Christianity is obviously founded upon the sacrifice of Jesus.  The opportunity to follow him was given to both Jews and Gentiles.  Because Jesus was obviously Jewish himself, the question of what to do with the requirements and sacrifices of that Old Testament Law has been discussed and disagreed on for centuries.  The Jewish Law had been the centerpiece for communion with God for many centuries before Jesus came.  Letting go of it was an epic challenge for many Jewish Christians. The New Testament book of Hebrews emphatically tells us the blood of bulls and goats offered as Old Testament sacrifices could not take away sin.  Those offerings provided a temporary bridge to harmony with God, and as such, needed yearly renewal. Jesus was THE sacrifice necessary for the sins of the world. That sacrifice was done once, and it was done for all. This one scriptural point clearly tells us that Jesus actually replaced the need for those temporary things.  Does this provide absolute proof Jesus lifted the requirements of the Law from the shoulders of Christians?  Sort of! Jesus’ offering of himself did emphatically cancel the need for continual sacrifices required by the Jewish Law.  This change helps us understand the removal of the rituals of the old Law.  Interestingly, some Christians do still hold onto some of those old rituals such as tithing and physical abundance.  This is actually counter-productive to the whole idea of following in Jesus' footsteps.  Seeing it all in context and in the words of the Apostle Paul will make this plain. What about the moral aspects of the Law?  Did Jesus take those away as well?  Check out our July 29, 2019 podcast, “Does the Old Testament Law Apply to Me?” to find out.  We look at how Jesus handled several aspects of moral living, quoted directly from the Law.  We examine several Scriptures that inform us on the differences between the works of the Law and a life of faith.  We also pinpoint why the Law came to humanity and how it actually dovetails with the purpose of Christianity.  Though these teachings may seem basic to some and irrelevant to others, they provide a sturdy foundation for the building of Christianity.  That is a lesson we all need!

Most people seem to have a sense there is something beyond this life, that death is not a permanent end. This “sense” is expressed in a myriad of differing beliefs about life and death. Every Christian denomination believes in the resurrection of the dead, but the similarities stop there. Looking at the Scriptures we find a complex and easily-confused story of how the resurrection works. First, when we look at the word that describes being raised from the dead, it actually has a surprising meaning. Secondly, we need to ask who gets resurrected? When does it happen? Is it all at once, one at a time or in groups? Are all those who are resurrected receiving the same treatment? With all of these questions and varied beliefs, let’s see if we can follow the Bible’s reasoning. The Old Testament has a surprising number of references to the resurrection. This tells us two things.  First, it lets us know that resurrection was a part of God’s plan right from the beginning.  This is a comforting thought, as it verifies the power and foresight regarding humanity God had from the start.  Second, the Old Testament resurrection references tell us those ancient faithful ones before Christ looked forward to being raised.  This expands our vision and expectations as to what coming back from the dead is all about.  It clarifies that Jesus’ sacrifice really is for all mankind at all times. As common as resurrection is in the Bible, it turns out it is not that easy to understand.  Jesus raised several people from the dead, but technically he did NOT resurrect them.  While this sounds contradictory, it actually makes perfect sense.  What Jesus did with the 12-year old girl, the widow of Nain’s son and Lazarus was resuscitate them.  He revived their lives to the same fallen state as they had before they died.  This is in contrast with THE resurrection that happens in the last days. At that time people will be raised to life in an entirely different environment. Of course, this is not nearly as simple as it sounds.  Any individuals raising will be entirely dependent upon which category of resurrection they qualify for.  While this may sound ominous for some, it is not. Check out our July 22, 2019 podcast, “What is the End Times Resurrection About? How Does It Work?” for details.  We lay out the several different resurrections revealed in the Bible.  We look at who is raised when, and what they are raised to.  This journey of discovery brings us to an enlightened and powerful understanding of how God’s plan works.  The most important conclusion is:  Every human being who ever lived experiences a resurrection that gives them opportunity.  This opportunity for all is based on the sacrifice of Jesus and it brings accountability to each and every person.  What better plan could there be than that?

We have all done wrong.  We have all had to come to grips with our actions and deal with the consequences.  In short, we have all had to experience the opportunity for repentance.  So, what is repentance anyway?  Does it mean we carry the results of our sins with us every day as a reminder of the destructiveness of what we did?  Is it saying we are sorry and then moving on?  Does being repentant, especially for big sins, have to be renewed like a subscription?  Once we are truly sorry for whatever it is we did wrong, can we ever expect to be happy again?  Or are we now destined for a sober-minded existence?  The good news is, repentance IS a powerful tool for healing AND happiness.  We just need to know how to use it! The biggest thing about repentance is understanding what it really is. It's easy to envision repenting for a wrong by saying we’re sorry. Suppose we re-tweet, post or forward something damaging about someone that was a skewed version of the truth. We realize it and let them know we shouldn’t have done it. Are we done? We apologized and told them we really didn’t mean to hurt them, so it should be over, right? Let’s all move on and leave the harshness or misunderstanding behind us. Sorry to say (there I go saying I’m sorry) this does not even begin to approach what true repentance is. All we are doing here is expressing regret. We are pausing long enough to consider an action that didn’t sit well in our own mind. We want to be rid of the unsettled feeling. Nice for us but of no real long lasting value. On the other hand, repentance in its truest form is one of the single most powerful decisions we as human beings can make. It is all about reversal. It takes the pause that regret gives us and transforms it into a full-fledged "stop and consider" moment. Once we decide to go down this road, we are then called upon to act. Our stop and consider moment can now become the catalyst for a reversal of direction. This action seeks to remove or repair the wrong we have done. It also takes the wellbeing of the wronged individual and makes it our priority. Repentance begins healing. It turns out the Bible is a complete textbook on repenting in an appropriate way. God even has the prophet Isaiah give the entire nation of Israel a lesson on what fake repentance looks like and how to achieve the real thing. There are also many dramatic personal examples of real repentance in the Bible as well. Check out our July 15, 2019 podcast, “How Do I Live a Repentant Life?” for more. We not only take apart these important examples but also focus on what we need to make our own repentance genuinely work. Talk about learning something important!

Jesus was and is evidence of God’s love for humanity. The proof is not just in the fact that he came to ransom us from sin and death.  It is also displayed in how he taught us God’s plan.  Still, it is admittedly hard to grasp what God’s plan is about especially when he spoke in parables.  Two weeks ago we looked at the first two of a string of five parables Jesus spoke to a very diverse audience of God’s people.  As a whole, all of those stories were designed to show God’s love for His creation. They were also to demonstrate to God’s chosen their responses to that love. This proved to be a two-edged sword as those responses (evidenced by our two parables today - the Prodigal Son and the Unjust Steward) were sometimes really bad.  So, does Jesus pointing out glaring weaknesses in God’s people actually display God’s love? One of Jesus’ more famous parables is about the Prodigal Son. We continued Part II of our “Does God Love Humanity” series (See Part I) by putting this story in its proper context. This is something that rarely happens! Most Christians interpret this story as depicting the journey of sinners as they rebelliously run away from God. While this understanding certainly gives us inspirational lessons, it is NOT the main point. Jesus used the two sons in the story to show that the nation of Israel at that time was divided into two main camps. The older more “stable” son depicted the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Scribes. They were great at portraying an outward appearance of loyalty to God’s Law. The younger rebellious son depicted the average people who were just going about life marginalizing God’s Law. This story is actually about the entitlement mentality of both sons. While it speaks of the younger son’s wonderful recovery, it is also a story of selfishness and resentment. So, why are we talking about this parable in the context of God’s love for humanity? Because it shows us how God has always kept the eternal welfare of humanity in His heart. He sent Jesus as the necessary ransom price, but that was not the only thing He did. God’s plan also gave Jesus the platform to show us where we were going wrong. Even though Israel was God’s chosen people, they weren’t acting like it. Jesus told them why. He also told them what they should be doing to get back in line with God and the Law. The next story Jesus told was that of the Unjust Steward. At face value, this parable contains some strange events. The account detailed exactly what was about to happen to the Pharisees. It told them what their attitude should be. Check out our July 8, 2019 podcast, “Does God Really Love Humanity? (Part II)” for more. We trace the consequences God put in place for His chosen people and uncover how necessary they were. While based on just actions, God’s plan for His human creation has a very caring and fatherly approach. Join us to see how it works!

We live in a time and place where we are blessed with freedom of speech.  This means we have freedom to preach!  Preach what? The Gospel of Christ of course!  Now, depending on your perspective, the “good news” of the gospel can mean a wide variety of things.  When we present Jesus to someone, are we showing them the true gospel?  Is physical abundance and blessing or escaping from a burning place of torment the point?  Is having your sicknesses healed or experiencing powerful emotions of peace and safety the point?  Jesus and his apostles showed us what the gospel was and is - and to be honest - it looks a lot different than many claim it to be. Let’s take a critical look at the essence of the gospel as we have this time of unparalleled freedom to share it with others. Looking from the outside in, it is easy to see how the gospel can look like it is born out of contradiction.  Forget the countless denominations of Christianity. The New Testament itself makes numerous statements to support this challenge.  Many Scriptures talk about “few are chosen,” “the narrow door” and “few there be that find it.”  Many other Scriptures are plain in their proclamation that the gospel is “good news for all,” Jesus is the satisfaction “for the sins of the whole world” and “the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth.”  So, which message is the true gospel?  Is it about a select few or every human who ever lived? To provide a sufficient answer, we need to step back and see the big picture.  All Christians agree that Jesus is the absolute centerpiece of the gospel.  The real question is - was the gospel hope introduced when Jesus came 2,000 years ago?  While Jesus made the message plain in his words and actions, he did not originate it.  Think how often he said he was saying and doing what his Father told him to.  Think how often he quoted the Old Testament and how that helped us see what the work and experiences of Jesus would be like.  All these things tell us that the gospel had its foundations and beginnings long before Jesus came.  As a matter of fact, the good news is clearly evident way back at the beginning of Genesis. Check out our July 1, 2019 podcast, “Preach the Gospel! What does that Mean?” for more.  Follow along with us as we break down the development of the gospel message.  We also capture details of how it was spoken and where it was focused.  In all of this, the most fascinating and revealing biblical understanding is in regard to the breadth of its reach.  We find amazing scriptural support for the fact that the gospel really is and will be for every human being who has ever lived.  While this thought may be controversial to some, we truly see it as the epitome of the Good News of Jesus Christ!

One of the most famous Scripture says, “God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son” for it. For many, the obvious follow up response is, "Great! Then why is the world more messed up now than ever before?"  In truth, God does love humanity.  His love is expressed in a profound and eternal plan.  While understanding this plan may be challenging, it certainly is not impossible.  On many occasions Jesus showed us the magnitude of God’s love and plan.  But he showed us in story form.  We will look at a series of parables.  These are stories Jesus used in Luke 15 and 16 to trace the power and grandeur of God’s love for all of us.  By carefully following the symbols in the parables, we can clearly reveal their meaning! In Part I we uncover the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin.  These are both found in Luke 15. The Lost Sheep story is almost universally interpreted that Jesus as the shepherd leaves his 99 sheep behind in the pasture  He goes to find the one sheep who strayed away. We love the feeling we get when we see a picture of Jesus accounting for every last one of his flock. The parable goes on to describe a celebration in heaven over the finding of a lost sinner. While such an interpretation provides a wonderful picture, we think it's really missing the big picture of God’s love for humanity. In the parable, the 99 sheep are described as not needing repentance. Think about the human family.  Can we honestly think of 99 individuals in all of history who did not need repentance? There was in fact only one, the man Christ Jesus. That being the case, we realize that the parable's convenient interpretation does not match the words of Jesus in that parable. To find the true meaning of the story we need to be sure we put all of the clearly-stated pieces of it in order. When we assemble those pieces appropriately.  We find a powerful picture of God and His love for the entire human race. Rather than focusing on just one sinner, the parable is actually focusing on an entire race of sinners. It shows us that God not only loves us, but He through the obedience and sacrifice of Jesus holds all of humanity as sacred. What could be better than that? Check out our June 24, 2019 podcast, “Does God Really Love Humanity? (Part I)” for more. (Then check out Part II!) See how the details of this Lost Sheep story fit together into a powerful narrative of God’s care for us. Further, see how the parable of the Lost Coin follows suit with the same general message but from a whole different perspective. Jesus taught in parables to purposely be mysterious. He also said his true followers would be privileged to understand things others could not. The clear message? God’s love for humanity is genuine, pre-planned and eternal!

The whole idea of fatherhood seems to have changed.  In this age of one-parent families in which the present parent is overwhelmingly the mom, we accepted and embraced minimizing the need of a living-at-home dad.  I certainly understand not wanting any child to feel inferior because they don’t have a dad in their life, but does that justify marginalizing every dad?  So, what is the role of fatherhood?  Are there principles and practices of fathering that are concrete and should never change?  How do we take the “old-fashioned” scriptural ways and apply them to men raising children in the 21st century?  What are the most important things Christian dads should be aware of?  How do fathers raise their children in an age where we have now begun to pronounce masculinity as toxic? Over 20 percent of children in the United States are raised in homes without a father.  Other statistics show that dropping out of high school, teenage pregnancy, crime and incarceration rates are excessively higher among individuals who come from fatherless homes.  These statistics are tragic but telling. In spite of the resounding and mounting resistance to the whole idea of manliness within a family, one thing should be clear:  We need fathers – strong men who care for, go out of their way for and lead their families. For Christians, a curious question arises out of this dilemma.  With fatherhood as such a lynchpin to social success, why doesn’t the Bible have full chapters about it?  Certain texts give fathering advice.  Some examples are specific verses in Proverbs and sections in the books of Ephesians and Colossians that give sound advice.  Why not more?  Because fatherhood was a natural expectation for men back then.  It was a disgrace to poorly support your family and a rare occurrence to be an absentee dad.  Jewish and Christian Men in ancient times knew their place was not only with their families, it was to lead them in a godly way. The best way to find deep and profound scriptural advice for fathers is to examine a good father from those days. Check out our June 17, 2019 podcast, “Is Fatherhood Still Vital?” for more.  We closely observe how Joseph was called upon to be the father of Jesus.  We typically see Joseph in almost the same way we would view an “extra” in a movie.  Sure, he was there, and sure he had something to do with the story, but Mary and Jesus were the main characters. News flash!  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Joseph’s fatherhood story reveals clear and specific lessons regarding the “how to” of fatherhood. It is also an inspirational look at a man who willingly took on a monumental task of historic proportions. Fatherhood is crucial.  Whether we are a dad or not, we still need to understand what it requires and how it works.  Once we embrace the principles of being a dad, we can use them in our experiences to encourage, to support and even lead others to a more fulfilling life!

Christian unity. It has such a reassuring sound to it.  To be unified in Christ is to be in a position of not merely mutual acceptance but in a position of locking arms and co-laboring for the accomplishment of something far bigger than any one of us.  The problem is the reality in which we live.  There are so many approaches and opinions on what Christianity is and even stands for, the idea of unity gets lost in the confusion of doctrines and denominations.  Is the state of Christianity supposed to be like this?  What do the Scriptures say Christian unity really is?  What should we be doing to accomplish it?  When do doctrine, character and tradition belong together? When are there legitimate reasons for such things to divide? Jesus was pretty clear when it came down to how his followers were to treat each other once he was gone.  The lessons he taught on his last night before crucifixion were not only inspirational, they were pointed.  First was the example of washing his disciple’s feet.  Jesus, the Lord and Master of all, was the one to get down on his knees and serve his followers with this most humble hospitality ritual.  The takeaway was clear – none of you should think himself too good to do the most menial things while serving another.  Jesus gave us this lesson to be a foundational principle for our unity as his followers.  The other experiences of that last evening together only served to enhance Jesus message - I am leaving and you all need to serve, rely on and support each other.  Be unified! Reviewing these lessons makes Christian unity seem simple and straightforward.  Unfortunately, it is not.  Jesus also warned us that “wolves in sheep’s clothing” would come in among his flock to destroy them.  To make matters worse, the rest of the New Testament is full of further warnings regarding the dangers Jesus’ followers would face throughout the age of the gospel message.  Smooth talking and wordly-minded leaders would challenge Christian unity.  Vain philosophies and false doctrines woudl test Christian unity.  The Scriptures tell us that seeking unity with those who promote such things is not only counter-productive, it is downright dangerous! With all of this being said, it sounds like Christian unity cannot be a reality.  We submit it not only is possible...it is required.  How do we bring these two conflicting thoughts into harmony?  Check out our June 10, 2019 podcast, “We are Christians, But Are We United?” for more.  We take a practical look at what Christian unity is supposed to be built upon, and what it should produce.  We also identify the things that make it difficult, and he things that alert us to avoid even trying.  It requires wisdom and insight to be unified in the way Jesus showed us.  Follow along with us and learn where to begin!

Several weeks ago (see Part 1) we began a journey down what might be considered a tricky path as we took a first step towards addressing an enormous subject – perceived Bible contradictions.  This is a huge undertaking, not only because of the Bible’s very nature, being ancient and authored by several over many centuries, but because of the emotional reactions from the opposing sides as well.  Many people and groups have “exposed” what they have concluded are blatant contradictions within its pages.  They are not shy about advertising their findings – just look online!  Then there are those of us who do believe that the Bible IS the inspired word of God and are convinced that the scriptures are sound and harmonious.  Part 2 of the task we are taking on is simple – address these reported contradictions one at a time in an effort to clear up what we believe are errant conclusions. Really?!?! The Bible has in its pages many accounts that upon reading could easily leave you scratching your head and wondering why God would do THAT.  Because of this, many assert the God of the Old Testament was basically a monster.  They conclude this based on their interpretations of several Scriptures they say show God as a bloodthirsty sovereign.  One such example is the account of God calling Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.  What kind of God would require such a thing?  The answer they give is only a monstrous ruler would do that. I agree.  Only a monster would do that.  Let’s remember one detail that seems to be continually overlooked regarding this story.  That is, God never intended and did not allow Abraham to do any harm to his son Isaac.  As a matter of fact, God had an angel standing at the ready and an actual sacrifice available to fulfill His request.  So, was God just toying with Abraham?  No.  There are many reasons for this whole scenario to have unfolded in this way.  We will touch on just one. Abraham was called to follow God out of an environment of deep and monstrous idolatry.  In that environment, sacrificing children to some stone or wooden image was a very common occurrence.  God called Abraham to be loyal to Him and to no other.  In God’s demonstration of His love and power, He dramatically showed Abraham that He was a God who did NOT desire or require the taking of innocent life.  He instead was the preserver of such life.  This would be dramatically demonstrated again thousands of years later when Jesus (a descendant of Abraham and Isaac) gave his life to redeem the lives of all humanity. This is just one example with only a small piece of reasoning attached to it.  There are several others, some even more dramatic than this!  Check out our June 3, 12019 podcast, “Does the Bible Contradict Itself? Part II” for more.  We look at how God really views things like human sacrifice, killing and lying.  Walk with us for a reasoned approach on these difficult Scriptures and see for yourself!