The Worst Oppressor
Our news is full of “the worsts” – the worst story, the worst movie, the worst politician, the worst oppression. Most of these assessments cover only the veneer of truth. Many believers wrestle with serious oppressive difficulties. What does that mean? Oppressive means “inflicting hardship on a subordinate group.” And subordinate means, “lower in rank.” […]
Doers, Not Hearers
James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” This passage seems so simple and straightforward. Don’t just hear the Word—do the Word. But it comes with a warning of self-deception because understanding what Scripture says also involves understanding what Scripture does not say. There is one […]
Biblical Freedom
Galatians 5:13, “For brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion for the flesh, but by love, serve one another.” Our culture screams about freedom and liberty, ad nauseam. Almost any restraint on actions or speech is branded as deprivation of “my rights.” In 1860, Lord Acton, a British […]
Lessons in the Prodigal Dynamic
The Prodigal Son story has generated many lessons about parent-child relationships. Prodigal actually means “extravagant waster,” but, in ancient and modern culture, we understand the contextual meaning of a spiritual backslider. The “whys” of children abandoning the faith and families leave guilt-ridden parents in their wake. What could bring them comfort and restoration? Let’s travel […]
The Best Part
“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed, Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her’ ” (Luke 10:41 & 42). Can we apply these words of Jesus to our lives today? It seems like the world […]