It all started when Satan and his angelic followers allowed a sliver of suspicion to enter their minds. It ended in defiant rebellion against the family of God. Satan then planted the seed of suspicion that God was holding something back from Adam and Eve, leading them into disobedience. Cain became suspicious that God preferred Abel’s offering. His anger precipitated murder. Suspicion is a primal fear that someone will take what we think should be ours. And suspicious mistrust has challenged … [Read more...] about Sneaking Suspicion
Satan
The Gospel: God’s Plan for Mankind
The Gospel is a message of hope and encouragement that highlights God’s love and mercy for everything He has created. It emphasizes His desire for the creation, the earth and all its inhabitants to dwell in peace and harmony with Him. It also highlights that God is actively working out His plan to add children to His family. His plan is fulfilled yet in the future when His Kingdom is once again established over all the creation and all beings who are willingly led by Him. The Gospel can be … [Read more...] about The Gospel: God’s Plan for Mankind
The Gospel: The Good News of Salvation
The message of the Bible could be considered the message of salvation. The Bible introduces us to a perfect creation. We are told that in God’s estimation it was “very good.” God rebuilt this perfect earthly environment out of the destruction caused by Satan’s rebellion. The pinnacle of His work was man – made in God’s own image and created to have a relationship with the Creator. God was intent on transforming man into His image and nature spiritually to add children to His eternal … [Read more...] about The Gospel: The Good News of Salvation
Stay Alert in Satan’s World
Many years ago, in the mid-1990s, while looking for a new church hall, I heard an interesting tale about a piano. There in South Florida, the retiree population loved to dance, so dance halls were plentiful to rent. At one location, the hall director was having trouble getting the stage arranged to his satisfaction. Specifically, the piano was in the wrong spot. When he tried to move it, the regular customers protested and demanded it be moved back. Frustrated, the director gave up. Some … [Read more...] about Stay Alert in Satan’s World
The Lying Epidemic
The position of being separated from God by sin leaves a person very exposed to the forces of tearing down and destruction. How can we be certain of this? Because God has already written the playbook. Through the prophet Isaiah, God states, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God…” (Isaiah 59:2). Sin and God simply do not mix. Not that God doesn’t give space for sin to be repented of – He does. But when sin is a way of life, certain characteristics develop as a … [Read more...] about The Lying Epidemic
Choose Life
As God prepared Israel for its occupation of the land of Canaan – the land He had promised them – He firmly reminded them of the centrality of His law to their existence. He told them that His commandments were near to them – in their hearts (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). God’s law set two clear and distinct ways of life before them. On the one hand was life and good, while on the other was death and evil. The law defined these two ways, so they were clearly discernable. The assault on God’s law … [Read more...] about Choose Life