We all deal with conflict daily, in many forms. Even the church has conflict, internal and external, from time to time. With the Bible as our guide, which biblical examples can teach us about a specific quality that foils conflict? Where does this quality come from? What does it lead to? Let’s consider Gideon’s example to identify this quality. Chosen by God as a judge of Israel he was assigned to defeat a threat from neighboring Midian (Judges 6:1-8:21). He assembled an army of 32,000, but … [Read more...] about Handling Conflict
Uncategorized
Overcoming Anxiety
Frustration is almost always the result of our will not happening. And for us humans, it's universally about our wanting to impose our will into a situation. It's about needing to control things or people. The concept of control is not only the root of our frustrations but also the root of our fears and our anxieties in life, which can be detrimental not only to our lives but also to the lives of all those that we love and those we interact with. The cause of fear and anxiety is often a … [Read more...] about Overcoming Anxiety
Time and Chance Happens to All
Solomon addresses an issue that causes a great deal of perplexity to people because he’s made this statement that the righteous and wise and their works are in the hand of God (Ecclesiastes 9:1). At first that sounds like a great place to be. Then he says: “All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked; To the good, the clean, and the unclean; To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; He who takes an oath as he who … [Read more...] about Time and Chance Happens to All
The Spirit in Man
Humanity has devise many ways to replace their Creator. In ancient times, they did it through the creation of idols made of wood and stone. They created elaborate stories around these idols that “explained” how the creation worked and functioned. Today, man uses astrophysics to explain how the universe, solar system and earth came to be. He uses evolution to understand how life came to be on the earth and eventually exists as it does today. In conjunction with evolution, man studies genetics in … [Read more...] about The Spirit in Man
The Danger of Political Correctness
If Christ were to run for political office today, would He be elected? Hypothetically, we could reason and say, “Well He is honest in all His dealings, He is a hard worker, He is willing to help anyone, He sets the standard for moral uprightness, etc.” What is there not to like? By today’s standards, there is plenty. Jesus Christ was not “politically correct” — not by today’s view. He, with His supernatural and spiritual understanding, said things that illuminated the truth, things that went … [Read more...] about The Danger of Political Correctness
Speak No Evil
Speaking evil of others is wrong! Don’t be judgmental! The book of James tells us so, end of story. But is there an important nuance to truly understand this seemingly straightforward instruction? “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge … [Read more...] about Speak No Evil
When Right is Wrong
There is ample and graphic evidence to be seen in world events that underscores the fact that there is an evil “prince of the power of the air” at work (Ephesians 2.2). This power motivates the human mind in a particular way. This is not new understanding to students of the Bible; however, the ever-increasing scope of this influence is becoming frighteningly more visible. Satan is the prince of the power of the air and stirs the spirits of humans injecting into them attitudes, moods, and … [Read more...] about When Right is Wrong