The first two irreplaceable pillars of New Testament church meetings that we discussed last week—1.) Edification and Equipping, not Evangelism, and 2.) Participatory, not Observational—can very quickly become by-the-numbers legalism before we realize it is happening. Satan, the enemy of our souls, is a liar and master deceiver. He tricks us into trying to keep God’s law, like good little boys and girls, bringing spiritual death to individual church members or even to the church itself.  It is pillar #3 that guarantees that will…

There are always “truths in tension” in Christianity with which we must contend—gospel (grace alone) and kingdom (the law of God applied by grace). Another such tension is navigating the details of daily living and the big picture of fulfilling God’s eternal purpose—the individual trees and the vast forest in which they exist.  I always want too remember to balance my thoughts between those two Today I want to look at the forest for the purpose of the gathering together of God’s people in…

The ongoing revival on the campus at Asbury University (and now spreading to other campuses) is a classic example of the description I often use of the life of faith in the kingdom of God—naturally , spontaneously and unconsciously (hereafter referred to as NSU). Jesus describes this same way of life as the way a little child lives: “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted (to that NSU life of simply trusting Daddy) and become as little children, you will by no…

We mention almost weekly the significance of Adam and Eve’s fateful decision to eat the fruit of the TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL in the Garden of Eden. There mankind plummeted into the abyss of addiction, condemning us to always, unconsciously, think in terms of performance, from that day forward. This event is called “The Fall.” This is also the first tree mentioned specifically in the Bible. Because we have eaten of its fruit in Adam, we can study, learn, and…

This title is a reference to one of my favorite illustrations I have shared on my blog before. Briefly, two men were digging a ditch; the first was grousing, complaining and mumbling while periodically glancing at his watch; the second was smiling, singing and rejoicing while he dug. A passer-by asked them what they were doing. The first one answered, disgust in his voice: “I’m just digging a damn ditch!” The second one looked up, and with joy and confidence he answered: “I’m building…

After last week’s look at the first half of Proverbs 31’s “virtuous woman,” I want to remind us of the foundation from which we always come—the kingdom of God and the gospel of the grace of God—both edges of the sword of the Word of God.  When we focus on the kingdom edge, as we are doing when we discuss a wife’s role in the family, the temptation is always to see this basic truth as a recipe to follow to be “good,” rather…

Jill and I both went to college when the most popular degree for women was Home Economics, followed closely by Education, viewed as preparation for teaching school, and Nursing, the ultimate “helping” profession. However, the goal of the vast majority of all the young women in college was to be wives and mothers whose profession was “homemaker.” That was “long ago and far away!” For a young woman, in 2023, to openly declare “homemaker” as a life-goal would be a rare instance indeed, although…

In the New Testament, particularly in the letters of Paul, the concept of the “renewal of our minds.” is mentioned several times (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 3:10; etc.). This refers to a process through which the Lord is taking us all. We are learning to think—as Isaiah 55:8, 9 tells us—“God’s way” (by faith, through the cross) and not “man’s way” (according to our inherent, life-long addiction to trying to be “good” and not “evil”).  At various times, in particular…

Can you see it? Spiritual warriors in all walks of life, from ditch-diggers to CEOs, attacking every day, armed with only the weapons of love, and genuine interest and concern for everyone with whom they interact. They see their specific job as essential in the kingdom. They know they bring Jesus’ rule, by grace, according to the law of God—whether administering it or obeying it—into that vocation. Remember, as we discussed, it is FAITH that “substantiates,” or makes this hope or vision experiential in…

After writing the last few blog posts concerning what I believe to be the biblical idea of our rule over the earth, I catch myself beginning to think of how, even at my advanced, “approaching-senility” age of 84, I can find something to do to try to make that happen. I ought to, need to, and should do my part to fulfill that “Great Commission,” shouldn’t I? All addicts know what it means to “fall off the wagon”—abandon the rehab program they were carefully…