We are living in a time when personal interactions are intentionally being limited and even eliminated, and it is deemed as progress. Instead of going into a store, just do curbside pickup. Instead of going to a restaurant, just have delivery. Instead of speaking with a customer representative on the phone, just interact with the automated system. We shop online, we bank online, we have virtual…

A leading disinfectant spray claims that it “kills 99.9% of germs.” That sounds pretty impressive. You can’t get much closer to 100% than that. Due to scientific limitations and the existence of resistant microbes, it cannot guarantee 100% elimination of all germs. But 99.9% is good enough. What if Bible promises worked that way? What if the blood of Jesus cleansed us from 99.9% of our sins? That…

The denominational world seems to say many things about baptism, except (unfortunately) what the Bible actually says about baptism. Some describe baptism as “the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith” and “a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ.” However, the Bible never uses this terminology and never calls baptism a “testimony” or a “sign.”…

The price of name brand medications today can be extremely expensive, but generic brand often saves a huge amount. The same goes for name brand foods, as the generic brand (or store brand) can sometimes be half the price. This leads many to avoid the name brand as much as possible and just go with the cheapest option. Unfortunately, this mentality can sometimes creep…

Since the congregation is singing in worship, does that alleviate my responsibility to sing to the congregation? No (Eph. 5:19). Since the congregation has a program to care for widows, does that remove my responsibility to visit and look after the widows of the congregation? No (Jas. 1:27). You see, congregational activity does not take the place of my individual responsibility. Apply that to the Great…

To get from my office to almost anywhere in the church building, I must walk through the hallway of the children’s Bible classes. It is a rare day (if ever!) that I do not reflect on the great folks who teach in that hallway and thank God for them. Teachers, thank you! Thank you for saying “Yes” to teaching! Thank you for every minute that you…

In the genealogy of Jesus recorded in Matthew, there are not a lot of historical markers, but he does insert this one regarding Josiah’s children: “Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon” (Matt. 1:11). This was that transitional generation, who raised their children in the far country of Babylon, rather than at home in Judah.…

From the moment that a person is born, the only eyes through which he can see things are his own. When a person begins to walk, the only steps that he takes and understands are his own. Humans are self-contained, self-sustaining, self-focused creatures. How curious for the prophet Jeremiah to observe, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is…