Monthly Archives: January 2015

Saturday, Jan. 31 The New Testament has quite a bit to say about the inner workings of the Sanhedrin—things that were said and decisions that were made behind closed doors. How did the N.T. writers get this information? Probably from … Continue reading →

Friday, Jan. 30 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” From the time Adam and Eve sinned, God has not allowed Himself to be physically seen. The Bible says that no one can see God lest … Continue reading →

Thursday, Jan. 29 “Going back to the nursery.” This is a phrase Doug Burch used in a sermon. Let me explain. Paul’s epistle to the Galatians is about going back to living under the Law after being freed from it. … Continue reading →

Wednesday, Jan. 28 Is modern technology good or bad? We are inundated with new gadgets almost daily. No one in 1900 would even begin to imagine landing on the moon or having world wide communications at no cost to the … Continue reading →

Tuesday, Jan. 27 Sunday’s local paper high lighted the teamwork of the Seattle Seahawks. Although it is from a secular point of view, it related a truth that is very pertinent for the church. The article starts with the idea … Continue reading →

Monday, Jan. 26 “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” This proverb is often used in connection would church donations—tithes and offerings. The idea is that we should not advertise our giving. It should be … Continue reading →

Sunday, Jan. 25 Pablo Casals was perhaps the greatest cellist of all time. When he was 95 years old, someone asked him why he still practiced six hours a day. His answer? “Because I think I’m getting better.” This reminds … Continue reading →

Friday, Jan 23 There’s an old saying “money produces money.” How about “God’s riches will produce more riches?” God pours out spiritual blessings on us and expects a return on His investment. I’m reminded of the parable of the talents … Continue reading →

Thursday, Jan. 22 “People like to hear your opinions unless you disagree with them.”—Charles Barkley. I’m not a big fan of Charles Barkley, but I do like his forthright manner. He tells it like he sees it. I doubt if … Continue reading →

Wednesday, Jan. 21 Most people that know me would label me a conservative. A conservative is one that doesn’t like change, one who likes the status quo. I guess I fit that. Conversely, liberals are those who always want change. … Continue reading →

Tuesday, Jan. 20 During the Civil War, one of Lincoln’s advisors commented that he was glad God was on the side of the Union. Lincoln set him straight: “ My concern is not on whether God is on our side, … Continue reading →

Monday, Jan. 19 During the Civil War, one of Lincoln’s advisors commented that he was glad God was on the side of the Union. Lincoln set him straight: “ My concern is not on whether God is on our side, … Continue reading →

Friday, Jan. 16 Paul spent quite a bit of time in prison. He refers to being a prisoner a number of times, but it is always in positive terms. He does not lament his confinement, or question God because of … Continue reading →

Thursday, Jan. 15 There’s key word in Eph. 4:1 that is so easy to pass over—the word “worthy.” If I even stop to look at the word, my first thought is that we are not worthy of anything God has … Continue reading →

Wednesday, Jan. 14 “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the Church. The glory of God is the ultimate goal of the Church.”—John Piper. The key word here is “ultimate.” Certainly evangelism and missions are goals of the Church. Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Tuesday, Jan. 13 God’s judgment is fair. That’s good news or bad news, depending on one’s relationship to God. The non-believers in our world are chronic complainers. Every one is wrong except them. When some “catastrophe” takes place, God gets … Continue reading →

Monday, Jan. 12 Thanks to Dave Boldt I got a new slant on I John 1:9. This verse has always been a key statement as to how a Christian should deal with sin. I’ve struggled with it because it tells … Continue reading →

VSunday, Jan. 11 We Christians call ourselves “the redeemed.” Rightly so. The Bible says over and over that those who receive Christ are redeemed, which simply means that we are bought back and restored to fellowship with God. We are … Continue reading →

Saturday, Jan. 10 The longer I live, the more questions I have about life and God. Yes, I have had thousands of questions answered in my life time through the Word and through experience. But my list of questions continues … Continue reading →

Friday, Jan. 9 “God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Eph. 3:20. He not only has the ability to do it, He does it. Paul was on the receiving end of this, so speaks … Continue reading →

Thursday, Jan. 8 Do you like puzzles? Here’s one for you. When Jesus met with the eleven disciples in Galilee just before His ascension into heaven Matthew records that “some doubted” (Mt. 28:17). What did they doubt? Commentaries have a … Continue reading →

Wednesday, Jan. 7 We generally think of baptism as water baptism. But baptism is used in other ways in the New Testament, too. Mark 1:8 refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12;12-13 talks about being baptized … Continue reading →

Tuesday, Jan. 6 When King James authorized what we call the King James Version of the Bible, he directed scholars to translate the Bible into English. He was also head of the Anglican Church, which did not practice immersion. The … Continue reading →

Monday, Jan. 5 I grew up using the King James Version of the Bible. It’s sort of a default mechanism for me. I study from more modern versions but often go back to the King James to see how it … Continue reading →

Sunday, Jan. 4 I would like to follow up on yesterday’s blog. Some things in my life are more important than others. OK, God knows the number of hairs on my head and the number of red corpuscles flowing in … Continue reading →

Friday, Jan. 2 Jesus spelled out the job of evangelizing our world in just a few words (Mt. 28:18-20). The first step (conversion) was implied when He said to make disciples, that is, followers of Christ. We sometimes stop right … Continue reading →

Thursday, Jan. 1 A new year has begun. I can’t get very excited about it. Maybe because I’ve seen so many years come and go. Maybe because each year seems to be worse than the previous one. If there is … Continue reading →