Contributor.
From Genesis through Revelation, God has woven a "scarlet thread" of redemption that did not end at the cross.
If you are a Christian, you have been given skills for an assignment ordained by God before time began.
God's Word contains weapons capable of defeating every temptation the enemy can bring your way.
My surgeon only gave me a fracture-prone partial knee replacement. Fortunately for us Christians, God doesn't do anything halfway.
"But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death."
Fifty years ago on this July 4th, I observed the divine hand of Providence orchestrating the path of my life, bringing me to a place of true freedom in Christ.
While there is a spiritual gift of teaching, every disciple is called to a measure of teaching so that we can make other disciples.
How am I portraying Jesus to those around me? Am I quick to condemn, or am I filled with compassion for the scattered sheep who are in search of a shepherd?
The Bible is our instruction manual, and we are clueless if we fail to heed God's instructions on the care and maintenance of His created ones.
God wants us to come humbly but confidently to make our case before Him, not just for ourselves but for those we care about.
If pastors and teachers are faithful in proclaiming the Word of God, then we are rewarded for hearing and applying it to our lives.
In what we call "The Lord's Prayer," Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
I fear the church in America is ignoring the warning signs, leaning more toward the rose garden promise than the Marine Corps pitch.
Jesus desires for those who follow Him to do so willingly. It is a daily decision to accept the path set before us.
There are numerous Scriptures that call us to intercession, which is praying for others rather than ourselves.
We can either be a "static display" and not engage the enemy, or we can take up armor and report for duty.
Just like in combat, it is not good to engage in spiritual warfare on your own, as you are a lot easier to pick off.
The Marine Corps is not the only place where people are given a second chance. God is also big on forgiving and extending grace.
