The Apostle Matthew was Jewish, a former tax collector by trade. Tax collectors were despised for being cheats. Sitting in their tax booths while working for Rome, they extorted monies from the locals. Any money they could collect that was over and above what Roman government required, was kept for themselves. One would realize this selfish advantage leads them to be concise and detailed in their record keeping. Continue reading
I am less and He is more. What a simple statement to share. However, if you want to understand the meaning behind this statement, it gets complex. Not complex like a mathematical equation that requires an Einstein to understand it. No, it’s complex because the statement encompasses a vast array of explanations. But let me simplify it. Continue reading
Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:4-6 Continue reading
LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good. Do people make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods!”
“Therefore I will teach them— this time I will teach them my power and might. Then they will know that my name is the LORD. Jeremiah 16:19-21 Continue reading
We please God each time we lift up His holy name. Appropriate actions and words prove our hearts are right with Him; He who created Christian hearts in the first place.
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19 Continue reading
Over the past decades, society has willingly, and I shall also say enthusiastically, decided that exclaiming Oh My G**! is: pertinent, necessary and acceptable in everyday conversations.
However, because of the definition of God, and the way I understand our LORD’s third commandment, I must disagree. Let me share five important reasons why expressing Oh My G**! is absolutely wrong. Continue reading
I was reading the book of Daniel, and came across Daniel’s prayerful plea for his nation Israel. In these times of national rebellion, hostility towards a neighbor and civic disregard for God’s Word, I though now is a good time to remember what open, honest prayer with God sounds like. Here is Daniel 9:4-19 : Continue reading
Was there ever a time you expressed personal views and it was quite obvious you were swimming upstream? You shared a belief that did not flow with the belief of the person you were talking to? I understand the feeling; like I’m drowning all alone. But the Bible tells us many times we need to remain strong and do everything in love – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Ephesians 6:10-17. And not to conform to the world – Romans 12:2. Continue reading
One year ago on August 4, I created my first blog post. That post introduced the theme for this blog – desiring to lift up God’s name. The Bible describes many men and women with interesting accounts much more courageous and God centered than any posts I have written. Their stories recount God’s chosen; those who desired to lift up His holy name. They were men and women displaying unending confidence and trust in all God asked them to do. And one of those faithful men is Abraham. Continue reading
Lift Him Up 