Posts Tagged ‘Christian Living’
A Revitalized Heart
After the Jews had spent seventy years in Babylon, their release from captivity by the hand of Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, lifted their spirits and gave them opportunity to demonstrate how much their hearts had changed. Led by Zerubbabel and with the backing of Cyrus, they began to rebuild the temple, but these…
Read MorePutting Life in Context
Although the accusations of an angry contingent halted the rebuilding of the temple for some time, the work of Haggai and Zechariah revitalized the effort, motivating the people to return to their work despite the previous opposition (Ezra 5:1-2). However, some of those on the east side questioned them about their efforts, but on this…
Read MoreA Heart for God’s Word
Your attitude toward God’s Word reflects who you are but it also determines who you will become. We emphasize this in the context of daily Bible reading and regular Bible study, but we often fail to appreciate and emphasize the heart you must have to make these things have any meaning in your life. Josiah…
Read MorePeople Can Change
Manasseh assumed the throne of Judah at the age of twelve and reigned until his death at seventy-seven (2 Chr. 33:1). Born and raised after his father, Hezekiah, was granted another fifteen years of life, Manasseh led Judah into sin worse than any of those who went before him—not only reversing the reforms of his…
Read MoreSpiritual Inconsistency
Reading the human heart remains an elusive enterprise. While God knows each of us better than we know ourselves, we cannot truly understand any other human being except through what they say and do. Perhaps this sheds light on some pattern of behavior we have witnessed in the church. Some people seem so strong spiritually at one…
Read MoreSecond Hand Faith
Joash came to the throne at the tender age of seven, reigning for forty years (2 Chr. 24:1). Athaliah’s takeover had left Judah in spiritual shambles and its leadership adrift. However, Jehoiada the priest adroitly managed the situation, restoring order from the chaos as Joash’s guide during those early years.
Read MoreThe Seven Signs of Spiritual Zeal
Spiritual zeal may be easier to describe than it is to define. It captures the idea of fervent passion, couples passion with purposeful devotion, infuses devotion with energetic enthusiasm, and focuses that enthusiasm with spiritual intensity on God and His will. In brief, it takes God’s will to heart so much that it cannot but…
Read MoreDoing Good in Evil Days
Every once in a while I grow melancholy reflecting on the moral decay of the nation and the world as a whole. It hurts to see how much immorality has become acceptable in mainstream society and just how bold some have become in flaunting their wickedness. But the problem with all such pondering lies in…
Read MoreTo No One’s Sorrow
No one, to my knowledge, enjoys funerals. Yet, they serve an important role in society and in personal mourning. As a preacher, I have attended and officiated at a great number of funerals, including many wonderful people it has been my privilege to know. But the fear that sometimes creeps in is the necessity of…
Read MoreBeyond Your Control
No matter how well you prepare, no matter how much you know, no matter how many friends you have, and no matter where you may be, there will come a time in your life when a situation arises about which you can do nothing. It is one of the most frustrating feelings in the world.…
Read More