Something Greater

Ready For The Real Thing | Genesis 1:2-4 Sounds like an advertising slogan. I intended to use it for the title of a sermon. Not sure about it now. But, it does capture a bit of what I feel the Lord is working in, with and around me. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:2-4 (ESV) God wanted the earth to have light. He wanted whatever and whoever that was earthly to have light. Why? Because light reveals what's real. Darkness hides what's real. Shadows distort and confuse. The black of night overwhelms color and form. Gloom depresses. God wants me to see the real thing. Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his na...

Politics and Prayer Paul has warned Timothy to expect opposition from two specific leaders in the church of Ephesus: Hymenaeus and Alexander. Far beyond giving Timothy a simple heads-up, Paul handed the two men "over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." (1 Timothy 1:7) Paul's spiritual battle with these two men was not vindictive, at least not on Paul's part. Paul remembered that he was, not long ago, a worse sinner than even Hymenaeus and Alexander. He called himself a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent of Christ . For his transformation from sinner to saint, Paul credited God alone. "I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:16-17 (ESV) Closely following Paul's giving over, ...

Unswayed By The Facts "But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name. So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus." Acts 4:14-18 (ESV) Peter and John, arrested and brought to trial before the Jewish religious court, spoke boldly and decisively. The high priest and the select, inner core of Jerusalem's theocracy were astonished and silent . What paralyzed these powerful men's tongues? Irrefutable, verifiable truth in the form of a beggar standing with Peter and John. The beggar had been lame from bir...