At my graduation ceremony from basic training for the US Army, the speaker came out, stood behind the podium, took a giant deep breath, and said, "Finally, you made it!" The latter half of the last chapter of Ephesians (chapter six) lists the spiritual weapons Christians need to fight the good fight and live a … Continue reading Spiritual Basic Training
salvation
Why Did Christ Die?
Easter is approaching, and it is time to ask, "Why?" "Preacher, what do you mean, 'why?' Easter is the season when Christians celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ." Everyone has opinions, and with those opinions come reasons for those opinions. Even people with opposing opinions have reasons for their own beliefs. Example: … Continue reading Why Did Christ Die?
The Most Important Event In History
We will celebrate history's most important event in a little over a month. Technically, it is two separate events, but they happened the same weekend. Without the first, you cannot have the second; without the second, the first is meaningless. Event number one is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The second is His resurrection. Hundreds … Continue reading The Most Important Event In History
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is upon us. In our family, Thanksgiving is one of the three big holidays; Christmas and Easter are the others. As much of the family as possible gathers for those three holidays. If people cannot attend, Julie and I usually spend another day with them within a week or so of the big celebration. … Continue reading Thanksgiving
Regardless Of Who Wins
This column is sent to newspapers on Monday, usually before noon. Since most receiving papers are weekly publications, published on Wednesday or Thursday, and most daily newspapers that share Preacher's Point usually publish the column sometime over the weekend, nearly everyone will read these words after the results of this year's election are known. This … Continue reading Regardless Of Who Wins
Everyone Has A Relationship With God
We interact with people all the time. Some are acquaintances, others are good friends, some are relatives, and others are work colleagues. There are people we love, like, dislike, and maybe even hate. Some people may fall into more than one category; that cousin you do not know well and only see at weddings and … Continue reading Everyone Has A Relationship With God
God’s Armor
In Ephesians 6:10-19 the Apostle Paul gives Christians a list of battle armor for the spiritual war we face. There is a tendency among Christians to departmentalize problems into the groups of, physical and spiritual. They miss a significant point Paul stresses: everything is spiritual. Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, … Continue reading God’s Armor
The Warning And Blessing Of Psalm 2
Are we close to Christ sitting on the throne in Jerusalem? If we are, the events leading up to Christ's kingdom are even closer. Biblical prophecy tells us before Christ's one-thousand-year reign is the rapture of the church, the rule of the Antichrist, and the seven-year tribulation period. The Bible calls certain events signs of … Continue reading The Warning And Blessing Of Psalm 2
Visual Signs A Person Loves God
Can people see that you are a Christian? If you have a cross necklace and a T-shirt that reads, "Jesus loves you!" you might think you are doing pretty well in letting people know you are a Christian. You may have had a cross tattooed onto your forearm. Surely, a permanent mark on your skin … Continue reading Visual Signs A Person Loves God
What Manner Of Persons
Hamas' attack on October 7th, Hezbollah’s constant missile barrage upon Israel from Lebanon, Iran's aerial attack upon Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles, and Israel's response to all these things all appear to be fulfilling the sign Jesus spoke about when He said, "Wars and rumours of wars" (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7). Some of … Continue reading What Manner Of Persons