NEW Ring out the old and ring in the NEW! We greet each other with Happy NEW Year. Everyone loves something new. A new start, new pair of shoes, a new job, you name it. In Christ, scripture teaches us that we are a new creation, a new creature. “The old has passed away; behold the new has […]
The effect of a father What we are observing today is a steady decline in morality, ethics, mental health, both personal and in corporate life. To me, it matches the decline in the impact that the church is having on our society. The young people, especially, are turning away from anything to do with the […]
It’s all about a name As we approach the end of the Advent season and Christmas nearing, it is interesting that it is all about a name. In Matthew 1.21, the Spirit writes—and she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS. Why? For he shall save his people from their […]
In the beginning What are you going to tell your children and grandchildren this year about Christmas? Might it just be about presents, the Christmas tree, good food, fun, and a little bit of church? What is the ‘back story’? I’m going to share some significant points that I believe are pertinent. I’ll let you […]
Humility Let’s face it, being humble or having humility provides others the opportunity to get one up on us, embarrass us, belittle us, degrade us, and so much more. We live in a fallen world, and even though we have been redeemed as believers, the flesh is so strong. It wants its way, to not […]
A prophecy fulfilled In the prayer that the Lord taught his disciples to pray, it begins– “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” So, Bill, why did you title this “thy kingdom came”? No, it’s not a typo. Let’s walk through this together. The Old Testament is full of prophecies about Jesus, […]
Hardships of Job and Paul In the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Teth, in Psalm 119, we see an amazing thing. Most of us like to believe that God does not inflict anything on us but that everything that happens, especially negative, is caused by others or the evil one. We saw in Job […]
Old Testament Jewish marriage Let’s examine a Jewish marriage in the Old Testament. It’s not like the western culture; meet the girl, fall in love, maybe ask her father for her hand in marriage, provide an engagement ring and have a wedding at some point. Conversely, the father of the son selects what he believes […]
Serve the Lord Why would Peter’s mother-in-law do this? Well, it says she had received healing from Jesus at her home. “He touched her hand, and the fever left her” (vs. 15a). Wouldn’t you be moved to serve someone that had provided healing for you, physically, emotionally or spiritually? I can’t pass this up. He […]
Proclaim the gospel As Joanne and I were worshiping today, the thought came to me; we are being preached the word, we are gathered for fellowship and worship, and we leave; for what purpose? As we walk out of the church or the sanctuary, are we just feeling good about ourselves, clean, mentally checking off […]