With a new year comes a bevy of resolutions to change your life. According to the Bible, change occurs through repentance. Repentance is hard because it means fleeing from the sinful things you love. It means laying down the idols of power, approval and control. But with repentance comes the blessing of freedom. Freedom from…
The Advent Wreath is a War Flag
The Advent wreath is a war flag. It is a reminder that Christmas is really about conflict. As 1 John 3:8 says, “The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil.” All the world lies under the power of the devil (1 John 5:19). But Jesus has destroyed the works of the…
Don’t Lift up Goals, Lift Up Jesus
If you want to inspire people to the mission of God, you must lift up the Son. When we grasp the glory of Jesus, it becomes the sustaining inspiration that transform life. Isaiah was inspired by seeing Jesus in the temple (Isa. 6:1-8). Peter was inspired by seeing Jesus after his resurrection (Acts 1:1-11). Paul…
What Should Be Worn to Church?
After disputes over worship music, possibly one of the most debated issues in conservative church culture is what should be worn to church. Are only suits for men and dresses for women acceptable? Are shorts too casual? In Part 1, I walked through the Bible's storyline with special concern for its theology of clothing. Clothing…
Do you feel like a Loser?
Jim Hamilton commenting on Revelation 12 and how God works through weak things: It's almost as though God shows up on the playground to pick his team, and instead of picking guys who look like they can play, he picks the obviously inferior team...Do you ever look around your life and feel like God has…
Great Walls of Fire! (Zechariah 2:1-5)
“Will things ever turn around?” I think that’s a question all of us have asked ourselves at one time. Zechariah probably asked himself that question on a daily basis. At the time, things look bleak for the returned exiles. Their city lies in ruins. The city walls are torn down. Things seem hopeless. God, however,…
You Don’t Make A Decision To Join a Local Church
Steve Timmis and Tim Chester, in their book Total Church, speak on the true nature of church membership: By becoming a Christian, I belong to God and I belong to my brothers and sisters. It is not that I belong to God and then make a decision to join a local church. My being in Christ means…
The Trellis and the Vine–A Short Review
Six years ago I started a college ministry called SPUR with my best friend. I think about 15 people came to the first worship service we held. Our first ministry budget was $3,000 which covered about three months salary for us both as well as all our expenses. In the early days, we spent a…
Four Horns and Seventy Years Ago (Zechariah 1:18-21)
Zechariah and his contemporaries are trying to rebuild their lives after seventy years of exile. Back in the Promised Land, the Jewish community faces innumerable obstacles to actually accomplishing anything of significance. Then God sends another vision to Zechariah. After Zechariah sees a vision at night of horses in a valley (1:7-17), God gives him…
How Long, O Lord? (Zechariah 1:7-17)
When your country has been invaded, its defenses torn down, and its capital city burned with fire, you probably need some hope. When your people have finally returned to the land, attempt to rebuild the main city and main religious center, you will probably be quite uncertain as to what will happen next. That is…
Raising Lazarus 