Seek the Lord While He May Be Found

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). God is willing to show “compassion” and is able to “abundantly pardon,” but there is a time limit on his mercy. He does not offer salvation indefinitely. We must seek Him “while He may be found” and “call upon Him while He is near.” Otherwise, we will be too late. Continue reading →

Skeletons in the Closet

go on like this, all men will believe in Him” (John 11:48). This is not what they wanted. It would be very convenient for them if they could find some “skeleton in the closet” in Jesus’ life. Then they could discredit Him and turn people away from Him. Unfortunately for them, they could not. All they could produce were false witnesses with inconsistent testimony (Mark 14:56). Continue reading →

Not an Idle Word

“He said to them, ‘Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life’” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47). Continue reading →

Proverbs About Planning

As we make plans for the new year, let us consider some passages from the Proverbs that remind us how to plan wisely. We are responsible for our own plans – “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). We must plan with God’s will in mind – “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). Continue reading →

How to Fix Our Broken Nation

Bible readingThe society in which we live is changing rapidly. Many of these changes are for the worse. Depending on who you listen to, you will hear many different ideas as to how to fix our country. Yet we should first consider what the Bible says: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Continue reading →

Don't Believe Everything You Hear

Bible and IpadToo many people are quick to believe everything they hear on television or read on the internet. Following the terrorist attacks in France and the debate over the Syrian refugees, we have likely heard others (and perhaps we have done this ourselves) state their opinion about these events based upon the assumption that the reports they heard were correct. Often, opinions are formed from incomplete or incorrect information. We need to remember the words of Solomon: “The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps” (Proverbs 14:15). Continue reading →

Hearers and Doers

“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:21-22). James made a contrast between those who are hearers only and those who are doers. When it comes to receiving the word of God, we must do more than just hear it; we must practice it. Our obedience is tied to the salvation of our souls (cf. 1 Peter 1:22). Continue reading →