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The Sacrifice of Fools
If you need a passage that will help you focus on the Lord’s day, I would suggest reading the opening section of Ecclesiastes chapter 5 and give some heed to the phrase “the sacrifice of fools.” Let’s begin with this understanding –there are many things that we might want to be called when we come into the presence of God; saint, servant, son or daughter, humble, empty, holy, worthless, tired, hungry, or joyous. However, we would never want to be…
Undercover Christianity
Between the years of 1976 and 1981, a man named Donnie Brasco began working for the Bonanno crime family. During this time, he reported to several captains in the crime family and was trusted with important jobs. In fact, in 1981 he was set to become a “made man” and officially become part of the Bonanno family. However, Donnie Brasco wasn’t real. He was actually an undercover FBI agent whose real name was Joseph Pistone. This undercover operation became one…
Forgiving the Enemy
What is it that separates Christians from the world? There are several answers to this question, namely a unity with the Lord. However, there is another one that is of key importance: the Christian’s forgiving attitude. The New Testament illuminates the fact that Christians are to have a peaceable attitude. (Phil. 2:14-15) More to the point, Christians are to be of the same mind as Christ. (Phil 2:5) This means we are to show love to everyone, even those who…
But I’m Not a Scorekeeper
A couple of weeks ago we asked the question, “am I my brother’s keeper?” Looking to the New Testament we saw that Christians are to look after their brethren. (1 Jn. 3:11-15) This means that we are to look after each other as brothers. However, this does not make us “scorekeepers.” This point is not original with me, but it is a point we need to understand. We are not to be Christians who keep tabs on our brethren. The…
An Answered Prayer
Psalm 23 There are many psalms that we have and know that are prayers to the Lord. This psalm is among those that show a prayer to God, but in this psalm,we also see the rejoicing that comes when God answered the prayer. The Psalm is accredited to David though the time and occasion is uncertain. This psalm shows David pleading to God for help and pleading with the Lord for his very life. The Lord answers David’s prayer and…
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
Maybe one of the most famous quotes from the book of Genesis comes from Genesis 4:9 – “Am I my brother’s keeper?” In context, Cain had just murdered his brother Abel and was trying to avoid telling God where his brother was. Fast forward to today and that is still a popular question. So, what is the answer? Am I my brother’s keeper? The New Testament answers this question quite clearly; yes. There are over 130 instances where Paul uses…
Fulfilling the Greatest Command
In Matthew 22 Jesus is asked one of the most important questions found in the New Testament: Which is the greatest commandment in the Law? His response was in two parts. 1.) “You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of you soul, and with all of your Mind.” V.37. Though that answered the question He continued with another response. 2.) “The second IS LIKE IT, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”…
Adam & Eve & a Baby Makes Three
Recently I have had the opportunity to study with a group of guys who believe in a different theology than I do. Though we disagree in our theologies, the discussions have led each of us to think about things we maybe hadn’t thought about before. For me, one of those topics was Adam and Eve. Specifically, Adam and Eve while they were still in the garden. Interestingly what I’ve discovered is that in truth we do not know very much about Adam and Eve’s lives.…