Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him - Psalms 127:3 It was Monday, the only off day for the old preacher, and he looked forward to some time alone with his wife. However, he couldn’t shake off a strong urge to visit the home of some distressed children his Church had been … Continue reading They Cry for Help

“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay in your house today.” (Lk. 19:5). He was scorned by his own people despite his wealth. As chief tax collector, he had become notorious among them as betrayer and a sinner (Lk. 19:3). But on this day, something different attracted our friend Zacchaeus and he couldn’t resist chasing after … Continue reading The Day of You Salvation

Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? – Matthew 11:3 John the Baptist’s question to Jesus from jail illustrates how doubt can blur our minds and cause people to question the very things they have affirmed with absolute certainty as truth (Matt. 11:1-6). Frustrated in jail, the man … Continue reading A Poisonous Intruder

“Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? – Acts 5:3 Is telling a lie okay? Does God really understand when we tell a lie to get out of trouble? Is lying any less … Continue reading Playing with Fire

His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite - 1 Samuel 25:3. The commentary is very specific. Abigail was intelligent and beautiful. Nabal was surly and mean (1 Sam. 25:3). The contrast is … Continue reading A Contrast in Beauty and Tact

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” – Matthew 18:21 Peter was feeling good about himself. He was magnanimous in his proposition to Jesus with his question. The Pharisees taught that a person should be forgiven up … Continue reading Dizzying Sight from the Summit of Mt. Forgiveness

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph. 4:32) Forgiveness is an act of kindness and love. We all crave it when we offend others. Regrettably, we resist offering it to those who offend us. It really doesn’t matter that we have been forgiven by … Continue reading The Forgive Is Christlike

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus – Philippians 3:13-14 I tried to put it behind me, but it stuck unyieldingly in my mind’s eye. I prayed and cried, “Lord … Continue reading The Trash in the Closet

The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him – Luke 15:28 I thought I was better than my younger brother. I always saw him as rebellious, proud, flirtatious and never serious. He gravitated to the world. He surrounded himself with friends of character. Women were … Continue reading A Tale of Two Prodigals