You are of Your Father…
In the heart -felt book of John, Jesus has several confrontations with the Jews to prove to them His deity (John 8). The hardness of heart of these people broke the Savior ’s heart as they claimed allegiance to God, to the things of God, and to God ’s faithful servant, Abraham. However, Jesus cuts to the core of their hypocrisy and powerfully says in 8:44, “You are of your father, the devil….” What things betrayed their “true father ’…
Foundations of Deuteronomy Part 1
The book of Deuteronomy is often referred to as the “heartbeat” of the Old Testament. If you can wrap your mind around Deuteronomy, the message of the historical books and the prophets will come alive! The opening verses of Deuteronomy help orient the book in the direction it ought to be read. This month we will consider two foundations for Deuteronomy. 1. Theological Foundation – “These are the words that Moses spoke” (Deut. 1:1a). This was no mere retelling of…
Philippines Mission Letter: October 2021
Click to download the letter. Dear Brethren, May the Lord continue to watch over you and keep you all safe. I am so glad to let you know that things are getting better here. The number of COVID-19 cases in our country are declining as many people are now getting vaccinated. Our national government is loosening restrictions in many areas in our country. The No Sunday Movement policy in our town was already lifted the third week of October. We…
Philippines Mission Letter: Typhoon Update
Dear Brethren, The typhoon “Maring” that passed through our country had brought a lot of rain. Due to heavy and continuous rains for two days in our town, many barangays have been covered with water. Our own area is submerged in knee-deep floodwaters. In other locations, where most of our brethren are, the floodwaters rise up from 5 feet to 7 feet high. We are hoping and praying that this flooding will subside tomorrow and that we will already have…
Hard Coaching = Love
You might have seen this picture floating around in social media streams. The picture is of a poster (probably in a locker room) that is appropriate to share here and draw some applications: Hard Coaching = Love When a coach takes it easy on you, they ’re setting you up for a hard life ahead. Don ’t take the coach for granted that ’s constantly holding you accountable. They might seem annoying to you in the moment, until one day…
Who Do You Like More: Barnabas or Ananias & Sapphira?
My kids are into asking me who I like more in movies and literature (ex. Anakin Skywalker or Obi -Wan Kenobi; Harry or Hagrid, etc.). We ask questions like this and compare names occasionally, but usually it doesn’t involve a comparison of one who has a good reputation with someone who doesn’t. It ’s kind of a no – brainer in that situation. With the names given in the title above, one name conjures good feelings and a striking reputation…
Rudders, Reigns, & Raging Fires
James 3 is the “classic” passage when anyone wants to discuss how Christians ought to speak. In rapid -fire succession, James gives picture after picture to help us understand the danger of an out -of-control tongue! A horse obeys because of a bit in its mouth, and a rudder guides a ship. Forests burn because of a small fire. He says the tongue is full of deadly poison and contradiction. Imagine a spring that contains fresh water and salt water,…
Spiritual Maturity
In the letter Paul wrote to the Colossians, he stated his goal was to “. . . present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (1:28). How serious was he about that? The next verse tells us. He wrote “I also labor” and used a word meaning “toil resulting in weariness, laborious toil.” But, he also added, “striving,” a Greek term that gives us our word “agonize. ” The next chapter begins with him expressing deep concern for them (2:1). The…
I Heard My Savior Say: Follow Me
“I came to Jesus as I was, weary, forlorn and sad,” Knowing His promise I ’d heard before: That He would make me glad! “Teach me Your laws and Your morals and such – I’d like to know them all, We ’ll conquer sin and Satan and death with Your banner, flying tall!” My child,” said He, “if you truly wish to come after Me, Denial of self is the very first key: Give up malice and greed and envy…
Remember Two Things
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus enumerated several “twos” to remember. In these, man always has a choice. In the outcome, the destiny is either eternal reward or eternal punishment: (6:19 -21) There are 2 Treasures : Some have lived their life by this principle and their confidence is found completely in their bank account. Heaven is the place where treasures should be accumulating (Mark 8:36). “What ’s my spiritual bank balance?” (6:22 -23) There are 2 Focal Points…
Philippines Mission Letter: August 2021
Click/tap for full PDF health. There has been an alarming surge in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our municipality within the past few weeks. Currently, our town has now the highest number of cases in the entire province. Due to this, our local government has implemented more intense COVID-19 protocols and guidelines to limit movement and transportation, regulate the operation of all establishments, and enhance the presence of uniformed personnel to prevent higher numbers of positive COVID-19 cases.…
“Tell them I Said Hi”
Have you ever been on a phone call when you are interrupted by a curious family member? “Who are you talking to?” “Nana.” “Oh! Tell her I said hi!” Or perhaps you know someone who is on a trip visiting a congregation so you ask them to, “Say hi for me” to someone you know. These kind greetings take only a moment but always come from a place of love and affection. They let a person know that they are…