The subject of authority is a difficult one because of the many negative applications we see around us. It’s primary association with power, clashes with the natural human desire for autonomy. In our present day, the subject of authority is often confused with authoritarianism and the abuse of power, which creates a negative perception. Authority is a vital ingredient for godly living, and it is therefore important for us to be clear minded about what it is and what it is not. … [Read more...] about Misunderstood Authority?
The Father
The Master Potter
In Isaiah 64: 8 God reveals Himself as a “potter”: “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” The Hebrew word for clay is ‘chomer’ which means as bubbling up. That is of water, a wave, of earth, mire, or clay, like cement or mortar. Moses wrote that God formed man out of the dust of the ground (Genesis 2.7) The Hebrew word for dust means clay, earth, mud, ashes, dust, ground, mortar, powder and, rubbish. Water is a … [Read more...] about The Master Potter
Our Human Potential
Humanity struggles to find purpose and meaning in life. Human beings have invented all sorts of distractions and ways to find meaning, usually in the form of religion – whether that be a political, a philosophical, or a theological religion. The Bible, by contrast, provides a bold and profound purpose for human existence: God is a family, a family of Creators. They are working to expand their family. If we start with pre-history, the accounts given in Genesis 1 and John 1, we can see … [Read more...] about Our Human Potential
The Impact of the Passover
We can know from careful Bible study the actual Passover is an annual event, not weekly. It’s a much more serious occasion. It is the beginning of God’s plan. Without it, we could go no further. For ancient Israel, the Passover made possible their release from bondage. Later, when God delivered the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai, after a tremendous audio-visual show, He reminded Israel that it was He who brought them out of Egypt (Exodus 19:17-19, 20:1-2). This event was just a physical … [Read more...] about The Impact of the Passover
The Fullness of the Father
In his letter to the “saints and faithful brethren in Christ in Colossae,” the apostle Paul expressed many thought-provoking comments about Christ’s role as the head of the Church. For Paul, the Church and Christ were one and the same. “He is the head of the body, the Church …" (Colossians 1:18). It is through Christ that a person can be brought into a relationship with the Father – a state of being reconciled. This reconciliation of humans to the spiritual Father produces what we know as the … [Read more...] about The Fullness of the Father
The Importance of Godly Respect
Job made an interesting observation when he was answering his friends’ accusations as to why so many bad things had happened to him: “A lamp is despised to the thought of one who is at ease; it is made ready for those whose feet slip” (Job 12:5). While the structure of this verse might at first appear confusing, it is simply warning of the dangers of being “at ease.” It is a mental/spiritual condition of being self-satisfied. The connection between being at ease and feet slipping is made in … [Read more...] about The Importance of Godly Respect
How do You See God?
When we respond to Christ’s direction to “go into your room and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place,” what visualization of God forms in your mind? When we talk to another person face to face, we see the person we are talking to, and most likely that has some bearing on the conversation we have. When we talk to God, what image do we have in our minds? Undoubtedly the image will have some bearing on the quality of conversation we have. We understand the … [Read more...] about How do You See God?