Mission Faithwalk

                    So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)                 The first thing I notice here is that this verse never says there’s nothing to fear. The verses that precede it don’t talk about what the Israelites had to fear. They focused on what God had done for them. They weren’t to fear _______ because God had already shown He could handle the situation. But how are we to not fear? Is fearing a sin? If so, what do we do with the many times angels told people “Do not fear” Or the psalms in which someone expresses fear? One source I found suggested that the fear being described is not the instantaneous feeling when something big and nasty approaches. It’s more a long-term lifestyle. Another possibility is th...

                 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:20-21)                 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (II Peter 3:10) According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the universe is slowly approaching equilibrium, when there will be no more energy available for us, and the universe will suffer “heat death.” This means that everything in the universe will approach absolute zero and cease to function. We often hear that the Bible isn’t a science book. It’s not. But that doesn’t mea...

                   For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)                 This is one of those verses I prefer to avoid. Paul wasn’t ashamed of the gospel. He went to prison and was eventually killed because he proclaimed it. Am I ashamed of it? I know I don’t speak it out with the boldness of a number of people I know. Even when I’m arguing with folks, I tend to debate their points rather than trying to make my own. Part of that is because I don’t consider a discussion of the gospel, or much of anything else with any depth to be possible in the thirty seconds they think sufficient to break the ice and hand out a tract. And I’m not meaning to criticize their method. I just can’t use it.       ...

                 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’    But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20-24) You might also find it useful to read Psalm 139. We know the story. So, I’ll move on to another. A guy on a Facebook video said something about seeing if he could call her in. He shouts, “Pretty Lady” several times, and adds “come on” a couple of times. An owl (Barred, I think) flies ...

                     Th erefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 1:21)                 One of the things about roller coasters, movies, drugs, moral filth, an evil is the law of diminished returns. First, it’s exciting. Then it isn’t enough, so we add more. Eventually, there just isn’t enough, but in some cases, at least, walking away is impossible.                 God is the means of getting rid of the moral filth and evil in our lives and one of His main tools is His Word. This isn’t necessarily an instant, miraculous, magical transformation. It’s simple psychology. Read this carefully. Do not think about an elephant. Chances are very good that you now have an elephant stuck i...

                  “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.   If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:18-21)                 Let’s start with a pet peeve. There are people in the world who are being beaten, raped, sued, imprisoned, and killed because of their faith. They deserve our respect, our love, and our prayers. I’m not dismissing what they face. At the same time, other people are being ridiculed, laughed at, ridiculed, and cancelled/rejected. I believe they also deserve our respect, ...