there is no substitute for the substitute
God’s Word teaches us that we were born in sin and we are a slave to our sinful nature. All of us. No exceptions.
Because of this, you and I need a Redeemer … a Savior.
Too many Christians have attached their redemption and salvation to the rituals of the church. Baptism, Communion, regular attendance, Bible study, and tithing are not substitutes for … or additions to … what Jesus did on the cross. HE alone was our substitute. He took the spit, the slaps, the punches, the beatings, the lashes, the nails, and the pain of …
God's stuff then kid's stuff
In the two-plus years my wife and I have lived in the west Chicago suburbs we have noticed some very intense parents. They make every possible effort to get their children to soccer, basketball, football, dance, baseball, softball, swimming, karate, and all kinds of music or drama practices and performances. No matter the weather they seem almost crazed with this stuff.
I often wonder … do these parents spend that much time and energy making certain their kids are fed spiritually ? Do they get them to church and related youth activities ? Are they as “onfire” …
a God is great grenade
Every morning I first read the scripture and devotional message for the day on my kitchen table … and then pray … and then check out ESPN highlights.
What if today I did something different ? After Bible, devotional, and prayer … I walk over to a government building and scream “God is great” as I toss a hand-grenade through a window. This actually happened yesterday on the other side of the world. — Now I am studying the Muslim or Islamic faith and I simply cannot understand this way of thinking.
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed …
tricked again
Last night I visited a place of “satanic worship” … oh if you asked any of those attending if they were actually worshiping the devil, they would have said loudly and boldly “NO”.
I spent over an hour at a Hindu temple here in Chicagoland.
… and here is my impression. The Hindu faith claims to worship one supreme God … but their worship service, printed materials, statues, and rituals all say just the opposite.
There are many levels of spirits and dieties, that are acknowledged as “sacred” and deserve worship.
I left that temple feeling sick to my stomach. These …
with a friend like you, who needs enemies ?
In the Old Testament a man named Job was both righteous and wealthy. (A rare combination if you ask me.) However, In a matter of hours he lost his children, his home, his livestock, his servants, and his herdsmen … plus as he laid on the ground covered with boils, his wife was no help at all.
In addition, Job’s 3 buddies accused him of holding on to secret sin and being untruthful to God. They verbally pounded Job … sounding more like his worst enemies than his friends.
When I …
