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Forgiveness. Part II. What is it to forgive from a generous heart and mind? Peter is a classic person in Scripture to ponder. Often given to being quick to act, Peter sometimes regrets actions. But also, Peter would have been wronged by others. Forgiving and being forgiven are a part of a healthy Christian life. Peter was one of the inner three disciples of Jesus, who had at the point of Matthew chapter eighteen heard much of Jesus' teaching. He has some interesting conversations with Jesus in general, but we encounter him asking Jesus on our topic, what is considered generous?  Have you ever sat at dinner and asked people if they could meet someone in Scripture, who would it be, and what would they ask? Talking to a relative over a meal, things of faith came up. She said she would love to sit down at dinner with Jesus. A few topics came to her mind that she would love to get solid answers. Us too, wouldn’t you love to be able to sit down with the Lord Jesus for a few hours to chat...
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Forgiveness - Why Do It

Forgiveness. Forgiveness gets a bad rap today. Sometimes it is unappealing because of the false views of what forgiveness entails. But know this, forgiveness is primarily an action between you and the Lord, you offer to others, since you have been forgiven. Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew reveals this as a linchpin to regular Christian fellowship with God the Father. Forgiveness is explained by the Lord Jesus in Matthew chapter six as a part of our regular walk with the Lord, not as a rare occurrence. As we go to God our Father, we forgive others. Jesus teaches the Lord's Prayer as a model prayer, to cover key ground, but also as a reminder of things, like forgiveness. Given it is so important to regular Christian living, what motivates us to forgive? Consider how the prayer begins. "Our Father." Forgiving too is done; so as to show forth we belong to the Lord’s household of faith, through union with Jesus Christ our Savior.  Our identity reflects who God the Father is, i...
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The Millennium: Three Main Views

     A friend recently excitedly asked me about the Millennium as a belief among us as Christians. Is it in the Bible? What is it? It is found in Scripture, I shared in Revelation chapter 20. In fact, several times the 1000 year time is mentioned for emphasis.      We find this, chapter 20, verses 1 to 15 (NASB) from Jesus' closest disciple, and an apostle: "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain  [ a ] in his hand.     And he took hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years ;     and he threw him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.   Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgm...
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Spiritually Informed Goals - 2024

      As you reflect on your 2024 goals and life for Jesus, consider using some of these helpful spiritual questions from Dr. Don Whitney, a professor of spiritual disciplines. He complied the list so as to guide a prayerful and Bible-based means of growing in Christian purity & holiness. These include, questions like the following highlights taken from the below article with the list: "14. What habit would you most like to establish this year? 15. Who is the person you most want to encourage this year? 16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it? 17. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year? 18. What’s one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year? 19. What’s one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?" ...
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Parenting Teens & Relating to Adult Children

       Parenting is built into the will of God for you. As a lesser covenant, yet still showing God's heart, we find in the Bible, this from the Law of Moses, Deuteronomy 6:4 is instructive in parenting. From the NASB, the LORD said this, for parents: " Hear, O Israel! The  Lord  is our God, the  Lord  is one!   You shall love the  Lord  your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.   These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.   You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."        So in the New Testament, you find Paul the Apostle affirming this, as relevant to our time. The instruction is assumed that way to continue in thrust. Paul then goes beyond it and adds tips for how to use it well, rather than instruct poorly (E...
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Integrity Matters

     In America in 2021, integrity is often hard to come by. Politicians promise one thing, and then the news reports what they miss and don't fulfill. But people don't trust the media either . A record 56% of Americans believe the media is intentionally misleading them. In other arenas, people promise love to another and then don't mean it. And employees may feel they are in demand, and do less (visit a restaurant in 2021). Other Americans accept benefits and insurance for being unemployed when they could be employed instead, but do not as a lifestyle choice. Even medical doctors are trusted less than they once were , even pre-Covid. And the list goes on. I'm sure any area tested except a minor few would show similar results. All of that is just illustrating a point.      Yet: Integrity matters, but it is elusive in our times. This means we as Christians, as living out our faith, must examine our own hearts and minds to ensure we are people of integrity (P...
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Surrendering to Ministry - Seminaries to Attend

So maybe the Lord has lead you to surrender to ministry. Wonderful! Congratulations.  If so, that is a great calling, to aspire to be an overseer, 1st Timothy chapter 3. Paul commends that. Next steps? Often today a person will go to a Bible college or seminary to get doctrinal, leadership, and evangelism foundations.  But there is a dilemma: where? A large number of schools exist for theological education, but there are some top choices.  While talking to a wider group of friends lately, I've had some ask, "where should they go for a Bible degree or seminary?" It's a fair question. But posing it is easier than answering it, due to the mixed theological environment today among professors and administrators.  It is much harder than it once was, to keep track of a "good choice" of seminary/Bible college.  When you are asked that today, in mid-2021, the answer may differ from even five years ago. The rise of CRT, identity politics, and changing denominational o...
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