Sometimes telling/asking someone to change their bad habit to a good habit is simply not enough motive. People want facts/explanations as to why a change is considered necessary. Perhaps that is why the bad habit of texting OMG, spewing Oh My G**! or vomiting J**** C****! is not always understood as wrong. When using those names as exclamations, many do not understand why they are breaking the third commandment. Continue reading
The new church was quick to expand after Jesus Christ resurrected. His new followers, called Christians, had the mission of spreading the Good News: Jesus has authority over death! Their greeting to each other reflected this truth.
When two Christians would meet, one would say: “He is risen.” And the other would respond with: “He is risen, indeed!” Today, that exchange is often carried out by pastor and congregation in church services throughout the world. What a beautiful public acknowledgment: we believe in the hope He promised us. Continue reading
While Jesus, the Son of God, was out teaching the Jewish people about love, a rebel named Barabbas lead a group of political insurgents in a rebellion against Rome. Barabbas was a murderer who hated paying taxes to Rome and was aggressively trying to end all Roman authority. His group of insurrectionists started an uprising and because of this they were thrown into prison. Continue reading
1 John was written by the apostle John probably between A.D. 85 and 90. Being an eyewitness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ, John wrote with authority. In the book he specifically assures us Jesus is the Son of God.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 Continue reading
Think back on all your conversations with people who continually bring “God” or “Jesus” falsely into the mix. That should be easy. So many vomit up our deity’s names throughout the day; it is simply not unusual to hear the names taken in vain. The following is an excerpt from my book: Lift Him Up don’t Pull Him Down – The eternal importance of never momentarily taking our Lord’s name in vain. Continue reading
And I [Jesus], when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32
Jesus spoke those words in Jerusalem to a crowd of people who were there to celebrate Passover. Among the crowd were some Greeks and Jesus’ disciples. Jesus was concisely explaining way He must die. John 12:23 states Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Continue reading
The disciple John is the son of Zebedee. It was along the shore of the Sea of Galilee they prepared nets in their boat with John’s brother James. The Bible tells us: Without delay he [Jesus] called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:20
From the very beginning, John was drawn to Jesus. He is represented in the Gospels as being closer to Jesus than the other disciples. John refers to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” Continue reading
The Son of God spent three years in His earthly ministry. During that time Jesus instructed and demonstrated His love to Israel. Jesus never turned His back on anyone. This includes people the Israelites themselves looked down upon. The same people the Pharisees, a highly respected religious group, chose to disregard as petty, low-life or worthless. Continue reading
Because of my book and devotion to not taking the Lord’s name in vain, my very best friend brought to my attention a podcast she “happened” to catch. She listens to many broadcasts on various subjects as she goes about her day. This particular topic was what words people hate to hear or say. Continue reading
Lift Him Up 