Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! The Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 5.20) The Apostle Paul prophetically wrote that “in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Tim. 3.1). He goes on to
God gives his gifts where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them. C.S. Lewis And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12.9a Self-sufficiency is a dangerous thing, because it is a deceptive thing. We have made idols out of independence,
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61.1-2 At the end of another year – how quickly this one has flown by! – we look
Haul out the holly Put up the tree before my spirit falls again Fill up the stocking I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute… American composer and lyricist Jerry Herman passed away three years ago this month, leaving behind many memorable
Author’s note: Often before worship services, I enjoy playing hymns and reflecting on their lyrics. One of my favorites is entitled “I Love to Tell the Story.” This is the story behind that song. While evangelism has been the responsibility of Christians since Jesus uttered His ‘Great Commission’ (Matt. 28.18-20), it has not always enjoyed
I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday: Madison Avenue hasn’t been able to commercialize it the way they do most holidays. At its core there is one idea: Give thanks – and when it comes right down to it, that thanks is directed to God. In the fall of 1621, after a difficult year of
For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 2 Thessalonians 2.11-12 Mark Twain once wrote, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. Psalm 56.3 We are living in a day of fear. COVID fears consume many; some Christians are so exercised about it that they divide from other Christians who feel differently than they do. There are fears of the encroachment of evil into our
…let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10.22 This summer we are exploring intimacy with God – what it means, and how we can enjoy it on our personal spiritual ‘walk’ with
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having
