Stand in the Gap

In the Old Testament, God gives the freed Israelites many directives for living. Many of these laws that seem strange to us were actually instructions for the well-being of the people. The Israelites had been slaves for hundreds of years so it follows that they wouldn’t have a clue how to take care of themselves or set up a proper society.

Some of these laws pertained to the treatment of the poor among them. Throughout the Old Testament God commands His people to be generous, treat the poor with justice and respect, and to give generously not grudgingly. (Deuteronomy 15:10-11 Deuteronomy 15:4) (continue reading…)

‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16

So we know being lukewarm is a dangerous attitude when it comes to God. But what are God’s standards of lukewarm? How can we tell if we are lukewarm Christians attending lukewarm Churches? In America we have been so spoiled by freedom of religion that we do not have an inkling of the meaning of persecution. We face very little hardship of any kind. (continue reading…)

When I first watched “Alma”, a prize-winning animation by Rodrigo Blaas, I thought it was way too creepy to share. But days later, after thinking about it and watching it again, I realized it sends a chilling message about Satan’s clever entrapment. (continue reading…)

God doesn’t look at the outward appearance of a person. God sees the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) A relationship with Christ transforms us from the inside out and changes everything.

‘So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.’ 2 Corinthians 3:18

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‘So Jesus and His disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind Him. She touched the fringe of His robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed.” Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.’ Matthew 9:19-22 (continue reading…)

Matthew 14:25-31 tells the story of Jesus walking on the water and encouraging Peter to do the same. Notice that Peter is doing fine as long as he concentrates on walking toward Jesus. It is only when his attention is drawn to the raging sea around him that he begins to sink. (continue reading…)