Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis on March 13, 2013. Celebrating Mass a couple of months later, he made news with the following statement: “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this…
In his letter to the Romans, Paul described Abraham as “the father of all who believe” (4:11). The patriarch deserved this honor, for trust in God characterized his life. He believed the amazing promise that postmenopausal Sarah would bear him a son (v. 19). He even trusted God when commanded to present this precious son…
Twice in the same verse, John speaks of an anointing: “The anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him” (1 John…
In 2013, my friends Robby and Kirsten had a yard sale. Their little girl set up a lemonade stand. But Nora wasn’t selling. She was giving. And refreshing drink wasn’t her only gift. Nora offered every customer a copy of John Moore’s DVD “Searching for Truth.” An older gentleman approached the Stocksdales’ house the following…
Psalm 23 is the best loved chapter in the Bible’s best loved book. The pastoral language of the Shepherd Psalm implies abundance and contentment. The person who trusts the Lord will never lack a thing (v. 1). God provides green meadows and streams of water to rest by (v. 2). The Lord also gives renewal…
Public school teachers cannot legally lead students in prayer, display the Ten Commandments, or teach the Genesis creation account. According to the Supreme Court’s dubious interpretation of the Constitution, the state must sever any links between itself and religion – especially Christianity. What biblical principles relate to the controversial legal doctrine known as “separation of…
Mothers often feel guilty. Did I harm my baby by giving him cereal before the time recommended by pediatricians? Have I permanently impaired my toddler’s immune system by letting him have too many junk food snacks? Have I warped my grade schooler’s psyche by saying no so many times in a sharp voice? Have I…
On Wednesday evening (April 25) I taught an adult Bible class about the Syrophoenician woman and her demon-possessed little daughter (Matt. 15:21-28). This Gentile mother was incredibly persistent. She continued to plead with Jesus for the healing of her child, even though he seemed to be indifferent to her needs and feelings. It’s a popular…
The recipients of the letter Hebrews were discouraged. They had obeyed the gospel years before, but Jewish religious traditions were still appealing. Making Judaism seem even more attractive was persistent opposition to the church. Why not stop following Christ and return to the observance of the law? The anonymous author of the letter reminded his…
What does an honest man say when his overweight wife asks, “Do I look fat in this dress?” If he’s rude and blunt, he says, “Yes, you look fat in that dress. You look fat in all your clothes.” But if an honest man is tenderhearted and loving, he says, “You look gorgeous in that…