One year off for vacation? Really? Yes. The young couple next to me on the van taxi from Cambodia’s capital to our provincial city was on a one-year vacation. They had already been all over South America and were now touring through Asia. We have met quite a few Europeans vacationing in Cambodia (Tourism continues…
Read MoreAt the end of David’s life, both in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles we find catalogues of his preparations for the temple Solomon would build. The riches David accumulated for the task are laid out, the charge is given to Solomon and the people, so that they would get busy with the task before them.…
Read MoreIs it possible to enter ministry as a second career? Not exactly. My concern is more about the word “career” than it is about the possibility of a midlife change of direction. Ministry is a calling, not a career. It must be directed by God, but God can direct any time He chooses. We need…
Read MoreClick here to read part 1. James 5:7 clearly relates back to the previous section (“therefore”). Based on the reality of the situation described in James 5:1–6, James commands patience or perseverance. What are you to do if you find yourself in a helpless situation? Resistance is futile according to James 5:6. James returns to…
Read MoreNear the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, he “determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16). Nonetheless, he desired to meet with the Ephesian elders to encourage them and bolster…
Read More“How do we determine which convictions are ‘hills worth dying on?’” I was recently asked this question and immediately what came to mind were some of the ugly scenes that have played out over the years causing many to say, “I don’t think that’s a hill I’m willing to die on.” Certainly, there are hills…
Read MorePart 1 of this series explored several observations that imply the preservation of Scripture. Part 2 examined several biblical texts that assume and expect its preservation. One final point remains to be developed. THE HISTORY OF SCRIPTURE DISPLAYS THE MEANS OF PRESERVATION It’s common—and correct—to specify that the doctrine of inspiration refers to the original…
Read MoreProverbs 27:10, 17 says, Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. I would like to spend a…
Read MoreOur podcast continues with discussion of articles in the January/February edition of FrontLine which had the theme, “Redeeming the Culture?” The article we are discussing today is called, “The Church and Cultural Engagement” with author Michael Carlyle. He is the Scripture engagement manager for Bibles International. We are all aware how our culture is swiftly…
Read MoreIn Romans 5:1–11, Paul refers to hope three times (Romans 5:2, 4, 5) and speaks to the content of our hope as well (Romans 5:9–10). The following briefly examines these mentions of hope for our encouragement today. Hope in the Glory of God First, Paul sates, “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God”…
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