Hassle-free piety? Jesus said: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19) . The apostle Paul wrote: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]” (Ephesians 5:11). Those people who were … Continue reading PIETISM
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PIETY
The Greek word Eusebia “denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Eusebia is most often translated godliness in the AV/KJV translation and by piété in French translations and pietà in Italian. Piety is characterized by a living relationship with … Continue reading PIETY
Things fall apart
Why are so many families and churches falling apart? Were there some adhesive qualities at work in previous generations helped to make relationships more cohesive? Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay The answer, I believe, is yes, but. Such qualities did exist, and still do, but not everybody was convinced of their value. Things have always been falling … Continue reading Things fall apart
The sacrifice of Isaac
As we approach the time of year in which we commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord, it is fitting to look back and see how clearly God portrayed this in the event recorded in Genesis 22. The birth of Isaac was foretold in an angel visit. His birth was miraculous, his mother was … Continue reading The sacrifice of Isaac
Evidence of roots that go deep
Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay We can read the Bible in a superficial way, looking for heart-warming stories or good moral guidelines, but if our roots are shallow a storm or drought might be enough to topple our faith. When we go deeper, seeking to know God through His Word and through prayer, our roots will grow … Continue reading Evidence of roots that go deep
The Pride of Man
Fifty-five years ago I bought Gordon Lightfoot's first LP record. Most of the songs were ones he wrote. One, The Pride of Man, was written by Hamilton Camp. The song is based on Biblical prophecies of the fall of Babylon. Every stanza ends with the line “Oh God, the pride of man, broken in the … Continue reading The Pride of Man
Lord of All
By divine appointment, Peter was called to initiate the propagation of the gospel to the Gentiles. The divine nature of the appointment was unmistakable to both Peter and Cornelius. Cornelius was the captain, or centurion of a band of 100 soldiers, a century. In the Roman army, six centuries made a cohort and ten cohorts … Continue reading Lord of All
How well do you know God?
How well do you know your neighbour? Perhaps you think you know quite a lot about him, but do you really know him? Do you know what makes him tick, what things motivate him, what things give him joy or sorrow? Do you know what he’d like to tell you about how you could be … Continue reading How well do you know God?
Mixed up about the Gibeonites
God had miraculously led the children of Israel through Jordan and to victory over Jericho and Ai. Before them now were the mountains; the nations in those mountains greatly outnumbered the Israelites and they were men of war. These were the people who had so frightened their fathers forty years earlier; the challenge before them … Continue reading Mixed up about the Gibeonites
Lessons for life from the epistle of James
1. If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (3:14-15) No matter how right I am about something, if I let myself become angry and bitter, I am wrong. 2. The wrath of man … Continue reading Lessons for life from the epistle of James
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