Tag Archives: exegetical

Not Saved by Association

Opening Thoughts: How many of you ever read “The Jungle Book” growing up? The story of an orphan boy who was raised by wolves in the jungle. He grew up thinking he was a wolf, playing with the other wolf cubs as if they were his siblings. The problem was that although he lived with wolves, played like a wolf and ate like a wolf, he wasn’t a wolf. No matter what he did to adapt to this way of life, he would never be able to become a wolf. Thankfully though, he finds out that he is not a wolf and is in fact human. The same is true for the church. There are scores of people who have been born into a church going home, they grow up singing all the familiar songs, playing with other Christian kids, learning their Bible stories, praying at mealtimes and bedtimes, and [...]

The Good Shepherd and the Little Flock

Opening Thoughts: Over the past few years Danae and I have been forced into a position where we have had no other option than to thrust ourselves into the arms of our good Shepherd and depend on Him for literally every last need that we’ve had. Never before have we faced so many trials and yet never before have we trusted in His care like we have during these years. God has graciously allowed us to lose almost everything earthly that we might trust in Him and value Christ alone who has made rich provisions for us with everything eternal. To this I joyfully testify that all our material losses have literally been deposits into our eternal bank account. As always my hope and prayer is, that as we read through the words of Jesus God would give you the eyes to see if indeed you are truly part of this little flock that belongs to [...]

Are You Ready for the Return of Christ?

Opening Thoughts: Danae and I cross the border into the U.S. a lot, mainly because we are able to save around 50% on our grocery bill every month. It’s crazy, sometimes I think that here in Canada we must get out our food shipped from an entirely different planet judging by the cost. There is a catch though, in shopping across the line you must go through the dreaded border crossing and speak to the terrifying guards who ask you all kinds of insane questions like “Are you hiding drugs in your tomatoes?” they do this to see if they can stump a person up and possibly catch someone who actually is hiding drugs. I once had a guard ask me if I had drugs with me and when I told him NO, he said “why not?!” Funny right? Well it actually did stump me up a little because I wasn’t expecting him [...]

The Beating of Your Life

Someone Has to Die for Your Sin Who Will it Be, You or Jesus? You Earned Death Not Life: I LOVE the Bible! I am very thankful for the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ! I’m thankful that He took the severe beating for me, that He was cut in pieces for me, that He absorbed all of God’s (Just) wrath for me. Yes that’s right, you and I deserved nothing but God’s wrath, we actually earned it. Like a person who works very hard at their job with the expectation of a big fat check, so it is with our lives, the first instance we use our own will and pride to commit treason against God’s kingdom we begin to earn our pay-check. When Paul says “The wages of Sin is Death” he’s using the term wages so that we all understand that everyone of us deserves death, so when [...]

Jesus Brings Division

Opening Thoughts: Have you ever had a conversation with someone where you just know it isn’t going to end well? In fact it almost seems impossible that you’ll even come close to a peaceful resolve? I mean, it’s so bad that the only way you can properly release the tension is if one of the parties either changes their mind or someone gives in and goes along with the other way of thinking? I think this situation is at its worst when it involves family. As Christians we need to be peacemakers right? I mean, is it not our duty to bring resolve to situations and not cause division? Yes it is, but not at the cost of the Gospel. Though we must be sure that our offenses are only for the sake of Christ and His gospel and not simply because we’re argumentative, or opinionated, or crass. Jesus came to bring division not Peace. [...]

How Did You Receive Jesus?

Looking Inside the Pages I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover”. The lesson that is usually being taught when this old adage is used is that what might appear to be unattractive from the outside could very well be brilliant, beautiful, and worthwhile on the inside. However, the opposite angle could also readily be applied to the varying and vast amounts of teaching that takes place on the subject of “receiving Jesus”, the gospel, and salvation. Sometimes what might appear to be brilliant, beautiful, and worthwhile on the outside is really quite unattractive, misinformed, and even downright deceitful on the inside. False teaching on the basic fundamentals of the Christian faith has been happening since the very beginnings of the church that Jesus started through the apostles. The book of Colossians contains one example of this type of strike against the church by [...]

The Pursuit of Happiness and The Gospel

Opening Thoughts: The past two years of our lives have literally been challenge after challenge. Shortly after our eyes were miraculously opened to the biblical gospel we were briskly ushered right into 2 years of heavy fiery trials. Trials that would have permanently derailed us if it had not been for God’s grace. So it was both God’s grace that allowed us the trials and equally it was God’s grace that sustained us through them. If we had been left to ourselves Danae and I would have pursued the American dream right to our graves. We thank God every day that He did not leave us to ourselves in the Pursuit of Happiness. Luke 12:22-31 ESV … And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider [...]

Praying for Power

Praying for Power - Colossians 1:11 Power. Wars have been fought for it, lies have been told to gain it, many have desired it. Is it ever okay for a Christian to hope for power? Well, yes. The apostle Paul even prayed that the Colossian church would be strengthened with “all power”. So, is there more to it? Of course. We’re not just talking about any power here, or the power to do anything you please like reaching your dreams, this is ultimate and divine power for a glorious ambition. Before we get into it, here is a portion of Paul’s prayer for the believers at Colossae. Colossians 1:11 ESV … May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy… Now it’s true that these words were intended by Paul for the Colossians, but they were also intended by God for [...]

Knowing God’s Will

How Can You Know God’s Will for your Life? The topic of God’s will for your life is a popular one among Christians. I know that I myself, many times in the past, have wondered about it and even once considered taking a class on it. I used to think, “If only I knew what God’s will was for my life then I would really be focused on him.” I know this is a common train of thought because I’ve often heard people talk about God’s will for who they will marry, what job they should take, where they should live, even whether or not they should tell someone about the gospel. So, how can you know the will of God for your life? I think the most obvious, but most overlooked place to start is in the Bible. If God has a will for your life and mine, isn’t [...]

The FOOL and the Prosperity Gospel

Opening Thoughts: What this post is not: it is not a post for calling out the men who I know preach this well known “Prosperity Gospel”, neither is it an effort to convince you to desire God over earthly things; that would be futile on my part. My hope and prayer for this commentary is that as you read the scriptures along with me that God would open your eyes to the reason you desire to be near Him. What I mean is, for what purpose do you associate yourself with Him? The Bible makes it very clear that trusting in Jesus for the wrong set of reasons is the same as not knowing Him at all. In fact, in Matthew 7 Jesus actually uses as strong of language as “Get away from Me“, in reference to people who presumed upon salvation simply for earthly blessing and supposed gifts. I’m praying that [...]