The Nature of Grace - PT 3

The Nature of Prevenient Grace

In our first installment of the nature of grace series, we looked at Common grace. This is the grace that every human being who ever lived or ever will live receives. It is the grace of God that allows the sinner to live and enjoy the blessings of God’s creation. Last week, we looked at God’s Special grace. This is the grace that is bestowed upon those whom God chose before the foundation of the world to be saved.

Today we close out our discus

The Nature of Grace - PT 2

The Nature of Special Grace

Last time we looked at the subject of common grace. This is the grace that is bestowed upon every single human being who has ever lived. It is the unmerited favor of God in his creation. He allows all people everywhere to live and enjoy the world and all of its blessings even when they are in rebellion against him. Even though according to Scripture we are all born dead in our trespasses and sins, living according to the course of this world and

The Nature of Grace - PT 1

The Nature of Common Grace

A Biblical definition of the grace of God would be, the unmerited favor of God. In other words, God gives you something that you are not worthy of. This can include his kindness, his love, his patience, and his salvation. In our world today, we see the need for the grace of God in every aspect of life. Whether it be in the home, at work or school, during our leisure time or even at church, our sin causes us to be in need of the grace of God at all

Dangerous Beauty

Dangerous Beauty

After inexplicably escaping her habitat at the San Francisco Zoo, a beautiful Bengal tiger named Tatiana killed one young man and mauled two others.  Confused, scared and out of her element, she had to be killed to prevent further loss of human life.  Viewing the broadcasted report, it was impossible to not marvel at her brilliant coloring, exquisite striping, and elegant movements as well as the surreal truth that something so beautiful could prove so dead

Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart

If your childhood was anything like mine, you grew up hearing that to go to heaven you had to ask Jesus into your heart. Or, maybe you were told to walk the isle at church and accept Jesus by repeating a prayer that the pastor said. This is exactly what happened to me.

I remember going to a youth event that a close friend had invited me to. At this event we played games and enjoyed snacks and then we listened to some man tell a story from t

The King's Heart

The King's Heart

Two decades ago, my daughter accompanied me on a missions trip to Morocco. At the direction of King of Morrocco, through an intermediate, we were invited, to visit Morrocco to discuss the issues and beliefs that divide Christians and Muslims. We were part of a small delegation of evangelicals on a mission to build a bridge  – not one constructed of steel and concrete, but of understanding, tolerance and compassion.  What made this mission unique was who ini

It Doesn't Take Much

It Doesn't Take Much

Years ago, our church family implemented a watermelon field fundraising project. The next time I join in on raising watermelons I will remember these lessons: 1) it is hard work, 2) you are going to get dirty, 3) you have to prepare the soil, 4) you have to have good seed, 5) you need good irrigation, 6) you need help, 7) you have to plan for a harvest, 8) you have to plan a market, and 9) watermelons explode!

Once the watermelons were ready to harvest,

INTERPRETING BIBLE PROPHECY

 Interpreting Bible Prophecy 

 After I became a Christian in 1996, I could not get enough of the Bible. I would read it for hours on end devouring chapter after chapter. I was drawn to the gospels and the narratives in the Old Testament. These wonderful accounts that so vividly displayed the character of God were just beautiful to me. Soon after I had devoured the gospels, the Epistles were next on my list as I continued to read the Historical books and the Pentateuch in th

Blowin' in the Wind

Blowin’ in the Wind

As I was out walking one day, I noticed a constant noise. It was a collection of individual sounds that took turns being the loudest. The palm leaves above me sounded like clashing hand fans, the bushes next to me made a noise like rustling brooms, the reeds in the pond whispered with a faint whistle, and the loose leaves scraped across the street like small pieces of sandpaper. It was a cacophony of different sound effects all caused by the same force –

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

 Here Today Gone Tomorrow 

On July 13, 2024, we were reminded as a nation of the wickedness that exists in our world as well as the frailty of life. A twenty-year-old man attempted to assassinate the former president of the United States, Donald J. Trump. This is the kind of reminder that brings us back to the reality of our mortality. These reminders happen every day on a personal level when someone’s family member dies or is diagnosed with terminal cancer. This has happen

Be A Jumper Cable

Be a Jumper Cable

The full spectrum of jumper cables available to the American consumer covers various levels of craftmanship and quality of materials. They all work, but the craftmanship and materials determine the duration of their reliability. The best ones are flexible enough to coil, insulated with thick rubber, and securely attached to sturdy clamps. These qualities make them durable enough to withstand years of exposure to the elements so that they are reliable and r

Fraudulent Friendships

Many people connect with other people almost exclusively through their computers. Their most frequent conversations occur with people who are never in their presence. This has proven to be both a blessing and a curse. Interaction is more frequent, but can also be less genuine, or less appropriate. The common sense buffer that restrains us from saying something too aggressive, snarky or improper does not seem to be engaged when we communicate online – especially when we are

Cap and Gown

In the past few weeks, young people all over the country have enjoyed Graduation ceremonies. I think there are some parallels to the greatest graduation event of believers being called home to Heaven.

1) In graduation ceremonies we wear caps and gowns to identify us with a specific school, to mark us as students who have completed educational requirements and to indicate that we are leaving one phase of life and moving into the next. When we graduate into Heaven, we are giv

Rubberneckers

Rubberneckers

Rubberneckers are the scourge of America’s highways and roads. When driving a car, they will slow their vehicles down to view roadway incidents, and might even come to a dead stop if the elements of the incidents merit greater scrutiny. Whether it is the aftermath of a tragic accident, the identity of someone getting a ticket, or the lights flashing on an emergency vehicle by the side of the road, that draws their attention, the result is a long delay in the f

Strengthening Your Marriage

Over the last few weeks, I've discussed many areas within the biblical marriage. Many hours of thorough study and research has gone into this topic, with much gleaned from the following book: Strengthening Your Marriage by Wayne Mack. 

This week's blog is a little different than the previous ones. This week, I'm going to recommend that all married couples who are looking to improve and strengthen their marriage have a good look through this book together. I think that you'