"Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). The word âvisionâ in this scripture is used in a prophetic sense, a revealed understanding of a future reality. It says that if we lack a purpose and a clear direction of where we are going and how to get there, we are not going to "get there". Knowing where we are going and our purpose, our intent, is extremely important. God gives humanity a purpose, a destination, and He gives us a way to get there. The Bible is a complete … [Read more...] about The Image of Jesus Christ
Growth
What Is the Kingdom of God?
What is the Kingdom of God? I donât think we can overstate the importance of the answer to the question. There are so many theories out there about different systems of belief including different definitions of the Kingdom of God. We need to think about the end result of what those beliefs produce and about what the implications of their version of reality are. The idea of the Kingdom of God was clearly central to Christâs ministry making it a fundamental premise of our hope, of our purpose, … [Read more...] about What Is the Kingdom of God?
A Biblical View of Aging
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we look forward to being old is when we are kids? George Carlin, a famous comedian, made that observation in one of his monologues. Here is a short version of it: Views on Aging by George Carlin "Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. âHow old are you? I'm four and a half!â You're never … [Read more...] about A Biblical View of Aging
Laodicea â A Warning
After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, the Greek Empire stretching 3,000 miles from Macedonia to the Punjab, was divided into 4 unstable powers under 4 warring, ambitious marshals. Asia Minor and Macedonia were under Lysimachus, Egypt and southern Syria under Ptolemy, and Greece under Cassander, and Asia and northern Syria under Seleucus. Hence, in Daniel 11, the description of Ptolemy as the king of the South and Seleucus as the king of the North. Seleucus established a dynasty of … [Read more...] about Laodicea â A Warning
A Form of Godliness
The Apostle Paul wrote to the young pastor Timothy to help and encourage him at a time when the Church was experiencing internal pressure from false teachers. He encourages Timothy to, âHold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Jesus Christâ (2 Timothy 1:13). Paul identified certain conditions that he saw as being challenges that the Church would have to deal with in the days preceding Christâs return. Whatever the time frame for this … [Read more...] about A Form of Godliness
Anger Incubator
In June 2020, Elizabeth Chang's comments were printed in The Washington Post. Sadly, her words still ring true over 4 years later. She wrote: âAmericans are angry. The country erupted into the worst civil unrest in decades after the death of George Floyd, and anger about police violence and the countryâs legacy of racism is still running high. At the same time, weâre dealing with anger provoked by the coronavirus pandemic: anger at public officials because theyâve shut down parts of society, or … [Read more...] about Anger Incubator
Peace, Peace but There is No Peace
Peace is something that we all desire, seek and want. During the Christmas season, one of the tag lines of the holiday is âlet there be peace on earth.â But regardless of how hard the governments of man and individuals work for peace -- it is elusive. Why is that? One of the reasons peace is so elusive is the way power is used and where it is focused. In general, there are two approaches to the use of power. One use of power leads to strife, conflict, and war while the other leads to peace. … [Read more...] about Peace, Peace but There is No Peace