We are looking at Matthew 4:1-11 which informs us of Satan’s effort to tempt the Lord Jesus Christ. Mark 1:13 tells us that wild animals were present, likely adding to the danger and tension of the situation. In part 1, we considered The Personal Needs Test. The toxic one tempted Jesus Christ to meet … Continue reading The Wilderness Temptation (Part 2 of 2)
The Wilderness Temptation
Our Lord opens His diary to inform us in Matthew 4:1-11 of being tempted by Satan. We have this passage because He wanted us to have it. “Then (vs. 1).” When? Apparently right after the baptism of chapter 3. One translation of Mark 1:12 says Jesus was “driven by the Spirit into the wilderness.” This … Continue reading The Wilderness Temptation
Sunshine
Once there was a man who felt very insecure. He was a nervous type. People tried to help him. He refused to tell people what he was worried about. But energy drained out of him because of his worry. Talking with him, friends wanted to put him at ease and make him comfortable. But year … Continue reading Sunshine
Connecting Two Ten-Year-Olds
Natalie Ishioka (10 years of age) of Corner-stone Baptist Church, Roseville, Michigan, became concerned about Cuba when an offering was received for Bikes for Cuban Pastors at our annual (July, 2014) Vacation Bible School. The kids came up with $2400 (with a little help from a few well-heeled adults). Natalie had saved the money for … Continue reading Connecting Two Ten-Year-Olds
How to Get Smart
You will not like this article and it will be the briefest article you will ever read from me. It is short, poignant and carries a life-arresting application. Want to be smarter? Be viewed as knowledgeable? Be respected more? Be wise? Of course. We all do. So how do we get there from here? Starting … Continue reading How to Get Smart
Get It All
My mother occasionally served us pork chops for dinner. After having enjoyed the majority of the meat on his chop, my dad said, “Son, it is okay to pick up the bone—it costs too much to not get it all.” “Get it all” echoed in my mind as the years have gone by. And the … Continue reading Get It All
Extreme
It was not long after Mr. George Bush was elected that the Left started hating him. After his eight years, the nation took a sharp turn to the left, electing Mr. Barack Obama. And the Right hated him. Totally ignoring Philippians 4:8, the Right could not say anything good about him–you would have thought he … Continue reading Extreme
Reasons to Attend Church
In May, 2012, I wrote to a father--John Alcott—in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan- to encourage him to attend church. His wife and children came, but he did not. This is what I wrote to him. Good Afternoon John, Recently I was on the phone with your wife. Tracey said your daughter, Elizabeth, is growing … Continue reading Reasons to Attend Church
Balancing The Overly Sensitive Christian (II Samuel 18:19-32, Part 4 of 4)
In the first three articles, we have been thinking about Ahimaaz, an overly sensitive man who wanted to cushion bad news coming to his king. In this final article, we work on helping the OSC (Overly Sensitive Christian) be balanced and content. Gaining Victory How can the overly sensitive Christian glorify God? How do … Continue reading Balancing The Overly Sensitive Christian (II Samuel 18:19-32, Part 4 of 4)
Overly Sensitive = Idolatry¹ (II Samuel 18:19-32, Part 3 of 4)
We continue to think about the sensitive personality of Ahimaaz, the pro-King David son of Zadok the priest. Ahimaaz Untruthful Ahimaaz denied knowing about Absalom, even though verse 20 says Joab clearly stated that Absalom was dead. Ahimaaz knew it, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak this reality. He couldn’t hurt his mentor. … Continue reading Overly Sensitive = Idolatry¹ (II Samuel 18:19-32, Part 3 of 4)