You always have three options. There is Jeroboam’s path, Rehoboam’s path, and Josiah’s path. Jeroboam was the first king of the Northern Kingdom. He worried his people would desert him and return to Rehoboam (Solomon’s son who was now king only of Judah). To keep his people loyal to him, Jeroboam built idols and altars,Continue reading “The Fork in the Road is Three-Pronged. 2 Kings 22:2.”
Category Archives: Obedience
Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only: the Bible is Your Owner’s Manual. Luke 6:46-49
We all hear the Word. But do we obey it, or just nod and say, “Oh, that’s a nice thought, very inspirational.” Poetry, speeches, even songs can inspire and delight. But God’s Word demands more—actual obedience. We are supposed to change, not just get goose bumps or tears over a moving bit of language. HeContinue reading “Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only: the Bible is Your Owner’s Manual. Luke 6:46-49”
AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM. Zechariah 8:4-5,12,16-17.
America is not perfect, and it was never holy. There are evil threads woven into our story—slavery, the genocide of Indian tribes, racism, greed. But what other nation do the people of the world flock to enter? What other nation is a melting pot like this land of opportunity? What nation can offer such freedom,Continue reading “AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM. Zechariah 8:4-5,12,16-17.”
STARDUST. Jeremiah 22:15-16.
In 1987, on a bus from Beaumont to Houston, I met Stardust, an aging Hippie who talked to me about God. He was intoxicated by the false notion that nothing can be known for certain. He challenged me. “How do you KNOW that you know God?” I remembered one verse: “If you love Me, you’llContinue reading “STARDUST. Jeremiah 22:15-16.”
Baby Steps: FOLLOW HIM IN THE MOMENTS, NOT JUST THE MILESTONES. Colossians 2:6.
Johnny Derouen writes, “Being a bond servant of Jesus is not a once-and-for-all thing! We make choices to obey and honor Him dozens of times a day.” That is so true. You’re not a believer because of something you did years ago. You’re a believer because you chose to obey this morning, this hour, thisContinue reading “Baby Steps: FOLLOW HIM IN THE MOMENTS, NOT JUST THE MILESTONES. Colossians 2:6.”
“Thus Sayeth the Lord …”
Let me tell you a crazy, obscure story from the Old Testament– Prophet A came to Bethel and prophesied destruction. As he was leaving, the king invited him to the palace for a meal. Prophet A said, “If you were to offer me half your kingdom, I would not eat with you, for this isContinue reading ““Thus Sayeth the Lord …””
People Who Do What is Right are Happy!
Aren’t coloring books fun? Remember the smell of grinding crayons into that thick paper? Did you try to stay inside the lines? In a 1992 TV ad, a nerdy teacher in Kissinger glasses walks up and down the rows of an elementary classroom saying, “Stay within the lines. The lines are our friends,” but oneContinue reading “People Who Do What is Right are Happy!”
Behavior and Education.
Ever wonder why half the grades on the report cards of children involve behavior? Why have all those categories like “works well with others,” “listens to instructions,” or “participates in group activities”? We send children to school to learn the three Rs and instead it’s the three Ss: Sit down, be Still, and keep Silent.Continue reading “Behavior and Education.”
Obedience > Worship.
When our faith is young, we look for ways to impress God. We negotiate—we try to make deals, to bargain with God: “Lord, if you get me out of this, I will put such and such in the offering plate.” Or, “God, if you will bless me with this, I will stop doing so-and-so.” ButContinue reading “Obedience > Worship.”
“What is This Sound of Sheep and Cattle That I Hear?”
I laughed in court when a man who has been in and out of prison, convicted of a string of armed robberies, testified that during a dice game he was keeping an eye on his money because “everybody ain’t got integrity.” True. “EVERYBODY AIN’T GOT INTEGRITY.” Period. Mic drop. Many of us lack integrity. KingContinue reading ““What is This Sound of Sheep and Cattle That I Hear?””
Household Words: 