Christ and Common Sense

Thoughts from a Central Valley Pastor

Category: Common Sense (Page 1 of 6)

Biblical Sea Creature Discovered in England? 

December 22, 2023 /

I am going to surprise some people this week because my Christmas weekend article is not about Christmas! In fact, it is about a possible discovery of a Biblical Leviathan (If you missed my Christmas article, just look for last week’s post). 

I am always intrigued when people find ancient evidence that is connected to the Biblical account. Sometimes a unique archeological site is uncovered that refers to a specific person or place that is recorded in Scripture (i.e. Tel Dan stele). In other instances, an ancient manuscript is uncovered that confirms one of the authors of Scripture (i.e. Dead Sea Scrolls). Rarely is something discovered from the ancient animal world that is tied to the Bible, but that is exactly what I read about last week! 

The article I read mentioned the discovery of the remains of a huge sea creature in the cliffs of southern England (https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67650247). The animal is being referred to as a pliosaur, which was a massive marine reptile that used its 130 dagger-like teeth to demolish its prey. In the spring of 2022, the skull of the sea monster was discovered and later removed intact from the black cliffs that line the coast near Dorset, England. 

This particular skull measures 2 meters (6.5 ft) in length and it is believed to have had a biting force of 33,000 newtons which is comparable to that of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (45,000 newtons). Just to put that in context, a crocodile has 16,000 newtons of force and a dog has 1,000 newtons. One of the reasons given for such a strong biting force comes from a paleobiologist named Emily Rayfield. She examined the large circular openings at the back of the skull, which she determined reveal the size of the muscles which were used for “operating the jaws of the pliosaur.” 

Answers in Genesis, the organization that is connected with the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky also wrote an article about the discovery of this marine creature (https://answersingenesis.org/dinosaurs/types/meet-leviathan/). The title of the article is “Meet Leviathan – Was the Skull of an Ancient Leviathan Found in Dorset?” The article draws attention to different aspects of the discovery that link it with the Biblical account of Leviathan. 

The Bible describes a Leviathan in five different places, including the book of Job (3:8, 41:1), Psalms (74:14, 104:26), and Isaiah 27:1. The book of Job contains the most famous description of Leviathan because it includes an entire chapter about the sea creature. Job 41 says, “Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? Can you put a rope in his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook?” The chapter describes the creatures incredibly tough skin, his terrifying teeth and mouth, and strong neck (18-21). Job 41:22 reads, “In his neck abides strength, and terror dances before him.” Every article I read about the sea creature made reference to its incredible biting force, which would have required massive neck muscles. That is one reason I thought it was interesting that all the research about this creature mentions its incredible neck. The biting force of this creature made it untouchable! 

That is one reason God used the Leviathan as an example when he wanted to humble Job. God used the example of the Leviathan to prove that Job was a weak, finite creature. Job was not to question God. He needed to submit to God and recognize God’s power extended from physical strength to sovereign strength as well. Job’s response to God is a helpful reminder of how we should respond to Him. Job said, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6)

I am not sure if the pliosaur found in Dorset is the Leviathan of the Bible, but it certainly has characteristics that make me think of the Bible’s account. That is one reason I wanted to write about it today. As Christians, we should not be surprised when discoveries are made that confirm the Biblical account. The Bible is history and thus we will continue to learn of discoveries that line up with what was accurately recorded in God’s holy word. 

Don’t Forget the Second Advent!

December 15, 2023 /

The Christmas season is known as the Advent season because it celebrates the coming of Christ. The word “advent” is from the Latin word adventus and it means “coming, approach, arrival.” Many churches use the four advent Sundays leading up to Christmas to focus on the remarkable events that surround the incarnation, when God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ in order to save us from our sins (John 3:16). 

Many Christians place such a strong emphasis on the first coming of Christ that they neglect to reflect on His second coming. This is an honest mistake that this article will hopefully remedy. By looking at some key passages, we will be able to see that the celebration of the first advent is not complete without remembering the importance of the second advent. 

If you read the prophecies about Christ’s first coming you will quickly realize that they emphasize a time when the Messiah will reign on the earth. This was foreshadowed with Christ’s first coming, but it will actually be realized when he returns. This is incredibly important for us to consider as Christians because it helps ensure that we don’t forget the reason for the Christmas season. We are supposed to be amazed that God’s plan is not over. We are supposed to be amazed that Jesus Christ is coming back, and we need to make sure we are ready for his return! 

The books of Isaiah and Micah contain two of the most famous prophecies about the coming of Christ. We often focus on how they predict his first coming, but it is important to see that the context actually emphasizes his second coming. Isaiah 9:6-7 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (English Standard Version)

Did you notice that only the beginning of Isaiah’s prophecy relates to Christ’s birth? Most of the prophecy predicts a future fulfillment. Isaiah promised that this child would grow up to become a king who would have a physical kingdom. This government will have no end. This king will sit on the throne of David and he will reign forever! Isaiah was referring to the Millennial reign of Christ, which he will establish once the church age has come to an end. It is easy to emphasize the birth of Christ so much that we forget that Christ’s birth is a stepping stone to his future reign. 

Micah’s Christmas prophecy is fascinating because it actually predicts the birthplace of Jesus seven hundred years before the event occurred. Micah 5:2 reads, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Once again, the prophecy of Christ’s birth is placed in the context of his reign. It is so easy to think of Christmas out of context. The birth of Christ points to the cross, but it also points past that to a throne! This is what Micah’s prophecy emphasizes. Jesus Christ is going to be a ruler in Israel. We never saw this fulfilled during his ministry on the earth because God is waiting to fulfill this prophecy when Christ returns! 

And what a return it will be. Paul wrote about it in 1 Thessalonians, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Th. 4:16-18) These words are supposed to be an encouragement to believers. We are not supposed to spend Christmas only looking back at what God did two-thousand years ago. We are supposed to spend Christmas looking forward to his glorious return! 

Understanding Christmas in the context of Scripture will force us to look past all the distractions that our society has added in its never-ending commercialization campaign. We must remember that the first advent of Christ points us to the second advent. We must remember that Christ’s spiritual reign in the hearts of the redeemed will be fulfilled in a physical reign in the future. We need to ask ourselves “Are we living in light of Christ’s return?” He could come back today, are we ready? He could come back today, are your friends and family ready?

The book of Revelation ends with these words, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” May that be our focus this Christmas season. Merry Christmas & Maranatha! 

Amazed by Christmas

December 9, 2023 /

Do you find yourself distracted by all the lights and decorations of the modern Christmas season? I know I do. It takes a concerted effort to cut through the barrage of jingling bells and roasting chestnuts to get to the Biblical account of the virgin birth and the incarnation. Our family has had to come up with different ways to make sure that we remember the true reason for the season. 

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is reading through our customized advent calendar. Sixteen years ago, Lydia and I bought an advent calendar with little boxes that are pulled out and turned around to complete a Christmas picture. The picture has nothing to do with the Biblical account, but the verses inside the boxes certainly do. 

Each box has a piece of paper with a verse written on it. The first day is titled “Light – #1” and it has Isaiah 9:2, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Inside the box there is also a little object that connects with the verse. The first box has a little light bulb from a string of Christmas lights. The kids always enjoy passing around the object as we discuss what the verse means. 

Every day our family reads from the advent calendar it helps us turn our minds to the fascinating details of Jesus’ birth. We read about the Roman census that forced Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1). We talk about the prophecy of Isaiah that predicted the coming of Christ (Isaiah 9:6). We also read passages that point to the reason why Jesus Christ came to earth. One of my favorites is day twenty-three because it describes Jesus as the Good Shepherd who “lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11). We have found it is important to always talk about the cross when we talk about Christmas because if Jesus had not died on the cross and risen from the dead, then there would be no reason to celebrate Christmas.

This year I added a few verses to one of the days. I added Luke 2:8-20 which describes the shepherds seeing the host of angels outside of Bethlehem. After they rushed to the city, they found Joseph and Mary and they told them what they had heard from the angels. Verse eighteen says, “And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds.” I looked up the original Greek word for “marveled” and I discovered that it means “to give careful thought to, consider, ponder.” 

As I think about how our family celebrates Christmas I want to make sure we take the time to marvel at the Christmas story. We need to reflect on the Biblical account so that we understand what took place, but we also need to meditate on it so that we realize how it has impacted our lives. My prayer for our family is that we would take the time to marvel at Christmas and I hope you and your family will do the same. 

Social Media: Five Questions to Ask from Josh Johnson’s New Book

August 4, 2023 /

Love it or hate it, everyone has an opinion about social media. Should Christians use it or refuse it? Should followers of Christ spend time on Facebook or instagram as tools to share the truth of Scripture or should they shun it as a waste of time? This short article will be geared towards those who use social media, but the principles mentioned can be applied to any type of communication, whether written or spoken.

A recently published book by pastor Jeff Johnson gives some helpful guidelines to consider when using social media. The title of his book is Taming the Fingers: Heavenly Wisdom for Social Media. Pastor Jeff recognizes the need to give guidelines to Christians who use social media. He writes, “Social media can be a wonderful tool to communicate, connect with people, and share a measure of our lives with one another. However, unless we understand how to use social media wisely, we will be accessories to Satan’s destructive purposes.” 

I appreciate his candor on the subject. He brings years of experience as a Biblical counselor to the issue by applying principles from the book of Proverbs to how we communicate. He has a formula for Facebook (and every other type of social media) that is built around five questions that help the reader question their motives and attitude in communication. I will list each question along with a few thoughts of my own. My hope is that you’ll be impacted by what you read and go pick up a copy of the book yourself (www.heritagebooks.org) 

The first question to ask when using social media is “Am I Controlled?” This is also the title of the first chapter and it is built around several Proverbs that prove the importance of self-control in communication. Proverbs 29:11 is wonderfully succinct, “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” Pastor Jeff makes a good point about how different electronic communication is to others forms of speaking and writing. He writes, “The technology that has given us social media has taken away much of the quality control that governs communication.” The author makes a strong case from Scripture for believers to be cautious about what they write online. There is no special “free speech” pass for Christians to say whatever they want on the internet. God is aware of our words and direct messages, even before we write them!

The second question is “Am I Calm?” This is specifically focused on not responding out of anger online. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Pastor Jeff believes that one reason so much anger is expressed online is because people believe it will bring about change. He makes the argument that venting online rarely makes lasting change in the mind of the viewers. I would certainly agree. Christians need to remember that the ends do not justify the means. We are called to a higher standard than the world and this means we need to constantly consider our motives for what we say and write. 

The next question is one that is often overlooked on social media. It is the question “Am I Careful?” Proverbs 12:11 says “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” The author of Taming the Fingers encourages believers to calculate the risks involved in communicating online. It can be difficult to anticipate the impact a certain phrase or image may have once it is posted online. I did not realize this until I lived overseas. I came to see that many of my posts could come across as boastful and excessive to people in poorer countries or communities. 

The fourth question is “Am I Compassionate?” Pastor Jeff makes an interesting point in this chapter about true compassion. He distinguishes between false compassion and true compassion as seen in Proverbs 12:10, “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.” The “mercy” of the wicked is actually false mercy or false compassion. This would be the kind of “good works” that someone does just to be seen on social media. Jesus spoke very strongly about doing righteous deeds with the right motives. He said, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4 

The last question is “Am I Conscientious?” The author really hits home in this chapter because he warns against acting differently online than we would in person. He writes, “How we use social media should be a matter of conscience.” We should follow the apostle Paul’s model from Acts 24:16, “So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” This last question is very practical because it allows each person’s conscience to guide what they read and write on social media. It is possible for someone’s conscience to be weakened by what they see online. Those who use it must constantly feed themselves the truth of God’s word to make sure that their conscience is being informed by Scripture, not by worldly influences online. 

I have read helpful articles and blog posts about social media before, but I think this is the best treatment on the subject because it is Biblical and practical. I appreciate how the author uses the book of Proverbs as a practical guide for communicating online. His guidelines will go a long way in helping believers engage with the “digital town square” with grace and truth. 

Should Churches Fundraise?

July 21, 2023 /

This is one of those questions that must be guided by God’s Word and common sense because there is no chapter and verse that specifically addresses the many fundraising options available to churches today (silent auctions, firework stands, raffles, etc). The leadership of each church has freedom on how to decide these matters, but they should always make an informed, prayerful decision. 

Let’s start with raffles. Every now and then someone will ask if it would be possible to raise money with a fundraising raffle. The most helpful way to address this issue is to first understand what a raffle is. The State of California Penal Code Section 320.5 describes a raffle as a “scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance among persons who have paid money for paper tickets that provide the opportunity to win these prizes.” In order to protect against a raffle being considered an illegal lottery, it has to be operated in-person by a registered charity or non-profit organization and at least 90 percent of the profit from the raffle must go “directly to beneficial or charitable purposes in California.” Religious organizations do not have to report the income from raffles, but all other charities and nonprofits have specific guidelines for registering and reporting raffles with the Attorney General’s office. 

The fact that the state of California includes raffles in their penal code should give a pretty good hint about the wisdom of churches using them. As Christians, we are to be “above reproach,” which means “not being a lover of money.” (1 Timothy 3:2,3) We should always prefer to seek an income by good, honest work, which means avoiding games of chance and gambling (1 Thessalonians 5:22, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Hebrews 13:5). The fact that the California penal code includes raffles as a game of chance makes it clear that this method of fundraising should be avoided by churches. 

Silent or live auctions do not involve lotteries, but they are still regulated by the state. In this case I would recommend seeking legal advice regarding sales tax and the need for each church to receive a California Seller’s Permit. This website has some helpful information www.fplglaw.com/insights/california-charity-auctions. Silent auctions can be effective fundraisers because generous donors often give items to the church that can then be sold to raise funds for the church. Both the party donating the items and those buying them need to have documentation to prove that the church is raising funds with integrity. 

It is important for churches to seek wise financial advice regarding all forms of fundraising because there are many traps that can have a negative impact on the testimony of the Church. Jesus told his disciples, “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). The context of this passage is referring to his followers preaching the gospel, but I believe the principle is true for how Christians and churches handle finances as well. Our Lord and Savior is very interested in how churches invest the resources they have been given. 

Luke 19 contains a profound parable that Jesus taught about a nobleman who gave money to ten of his servants before leaving on a journey. When the nobleman came back he praised the servants who had invested the funds wisely, while he cursed the servant who did not invest what he had been given. He said, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Luke 19:11-27) Jesus Christ promised to build his church, but he wants the church to be wise and thoughtful in how they use the funds they have been given. 

The apostle Paul understood that the ultimate source of all church funds come from God. In his second letter to the Corinthian church he wrote, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” As it is written,“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” This last quotation comes from Psalm 112:4, which describes the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord. This is the main principle that should guide all church fundraising. It should be done in a way that honors God. In the early church, if one church had a need, it would be communicated to another church, which would prepare a financial gift for the needy church. The attitude of giving was to be one of joy, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7) This example of giving suggests that the primary source of local church funds should come from believers who are motivated by their love for God. This does not mean that Christians can’t give towards a silent auction or a Tri-tip fundraiser, but it does mean that they are carefully considering their motives whenever they give. 1 Corinthians 10:31 is a helpful motto, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

My prayer is that those reading this article will be motivated to do the work of research and study with the funds they have been given so they might be considered good stewards of all God has given them. 

Treasures of Bible Translation pt. 1

July 7, 2023 /

The sixty six books of the Bible should be considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. What other book was written over a period of 1600 years (starting in approximately 1500 BC to AD 100)? What other book has such a consistent message and yet was compiled by more than 40 ancient authors who included kings, prophets, patriarchs, and men of great renown? What other book had such a profound impact on human history? What other book contains ancient prophecy that accurately described the rise of the Babylonian, Media-Persian, Greek, and Roman civilizations? What other book claims to be inspired by the triune God who created the universe? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21) Is there any other document that gives such accurate historical evidence of the words and works of Jesus Christ? What other book contains prophecy for the end of time that describes such a clear judgment against the sin of humanity, the destruction and restoration of the world, and the ultimate creation of heaven on Earth? 

Although the Bible has had an irreplaceable impact on human history, it has also become one of the most overlooked books today. This is why it is so important for Christians to have a renewed interest in how the Bible was preserved and translated into the version of the English Bible that we use today. This will be the first of two articles on the subject. Today’s article will focus on the ancient witness of the Bible and the second article will describe how the original texts were translated into English. 

The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic on stone, clay, and leather. It was written from around 1500 – 400 BC. As books were added to the canon of Scripture, they were compiled together and written on large scrolls of leather. Later the material was changed to papyrus. These scrolls were copied with meticulous detail by scribes who were trained specifically to insure the accuracy of the writing. When I was in school I was amazed to learn that the Masoretic text of the Old Testament included guidelines at the end of each book that helped the scribe copying the text to know the total amount of letters in the book, as well as what letter was in the exact middle of the book. This way the scribe would know if he had accurately copied that book or not. 

The New Testament was written in an ancient version of Greek called Koine Greek. It was written from approximately AD 45 – 100. The original copies of the New Testament do not exist, but there are over a hundred ancient copies called “New Testament Papyrus” that are registered as authentic ancient copies of the New Testament. The most famous is called Papyrus 45, which is a part of the Chester Beatty Papyri, named after the man who purchased them. Papyrus 45 contains portions of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the book of Acts. By examining the letters and handwriting, scholars have dated this papyrus to the 3rd Century. 

The most impressive evidence for the integrity of the sixty-six books of the Bible is contained in the thousands of Biblical manuscripts that have been found all over the ancient Mediterranean world. One of the greatest modern discoveries of Biblical texts took place when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. A Bedouin shepherd found a hidden cave that was full of clay pots that contained religious scrolls. The cave contained nearly 1,000 manuscripts that had been written between 300 BC and AD 70. The scrolls removed all doubt about the accuracy of the modern copies of the Old and New Testament. I was able to see an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls in San Diego back in 2007. It was surreal to look at a scroll of Isaiah that was over 24 feet long and over 2000 years old.  

The manuscript evidence of the New Testament is even more impressive. There are around 5600 copies of the original that have been dated to within 100 years of the original writing of the New Testament. In comparison, there are only 7 copies of what Plato wrote and there is a gap of 1200 years from when he spoke the words and the earliest written copy of his words. Also, there is a remarkable consistency between the Biblical manuscripts. This allows scholars to decipher what was originally written. If other languages than Greek are added to the list of ancient copies of Scripture, then the number of New Testament manuscripts jumps to 24,000! Clearly, the New Testament was an important book, which was copied thousands and thousands of times to insure that the people of God would have God’s word available in their own language. 

One of the greatest proofs to the importance of the Bible today is that it is still the most translated book in human history. There are over 7,000 different languages spoken in the world today. According to Wycliffe Global Alliance, almost half of them, 3,589 languages, have portions of the Bible in translation (www.wycliffe.net/resources/statistics). The website states that 724 languages have a full Bible available, while 1,617 have the New Testament available, and 1,248 languages have portions of the Bible available. The amount of time it has taken to translate the Bible from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek into thousands of languages is staggering! Why would people take the time to do such meticulous work? It is because they believe they are helping people hear the very words of God and there is nothing as important as that! My prayer is that people will appreciate the amazing gift we have in the sixty-six books of the Bible. I hope Christians will be encouraged to study it more and I pray that those who have never read God’s word would be motivated to do so. 

The Essential Church

June 16, 2023 /

“Is the church essential?” That is the question that will be answered in a new documentary that will be released in theaters later this summer. The movie is called “The Essential Church” and is being produced by Grace Productions, which is a ministry of Grace Community Church. The documentary’s website invites the viewer to “Journey with us as we rediscover why the Church is essential and how we prove that our stand remains true from a scientific, legal, and most importantly Biblical perspective.” https://essentialchurchmovie.com

As I watched the trailer for the movie I was reminded of all the turmoil and difficulty that my immediate family and our church family went through during Covid. I still remember the date when the executive orders were given to shelter in place. 

It was March 19, 2020. We had been told all Californians had to stay in their homes for at least two weeks in order to flatten the curve of the coronavirus. Executive Order N-33-20 identified sixteen critical infrastructure sectors “whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation, or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, economic security, public health or safety, or any combination thereof.” Our governor went on to write, “I order that Californians working in these 16 critical infrastructure sectors may continue their work because of the importance of these sectors to Californians’ health and well-being.” 

I remember looking over the document that identified which industries were essential and which were not (https://www.cisa.gov/topics/risk-management/coronavirus/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19) The sixteen industry sectors had been given by the federal government. They included the Critical Manufacturing Sector, Food and Agriculture Sector, and the Healthcare and Public Health Sector. I took the time to look into the Public Health Sector and I realized pastoral work could fit under the Public Health Sector because the spiritual health of an individual was essential for maintaining “Californian’s health and well-being.” 

I remember being at the post office during those early weeks and one of the people in line asked if my work was essential. With a clear conscience, I told the lady I was involved in essential work. I knew God expected me to shepherd his flock and serve the spiritual and physical needs of our people, regardless of whether there was a war, a plague, or a pandemic. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” I kept thinking about that verse whenever new restrictions were put in place. I couldn’t help reflecting on how believers gathered in the catacombs (underground tombs) of Rome during the persecutions of Nero and Diocletian. I thought about how believers ministered to the sick and dying during the Black Plague of Europe. I thought about how modern Christians in China gather in secret house churches because the government has restricted where and how they are allowed to worship. 

One of the difficulties of deciding what to do during Covid had to do with the information that was given to us by the health department. Early on, we were told the virus had the potential to wipe out a huge percentage of the population, not only of America, but of the world. Our family was concerned, just like everyone else. We sheltered in place for several weeks. I remember going on countless bike rides with our kids because that was an officially approved way to exercise while remaining six feet apart from other people. 

Our church family took all our services online. Our church staff frantically learned  how to set up a livestream and then we had to make sure all our people had access to it. We started using Zoom for our staff meetings and for weekly meetings. I remember organizing a Passover Seder meal with a livestream from our home! As the months passed by, we realized we would have to adapt to the federal, state, and county-wide restrictions. When the restrictions lifted, our leadership team decided to offer services over the radio at church. People drove up and watched the service, while tuning into 102.5 FM. Later people gathered on the lawn to worship together, while social distancing. We were finally able to go back indoors to worship, while providing hand sanitizer and face masks. We went out of our way to work with the county officials and the board of supervisors. We did all that work because we were convinced that the work of the church is essential. 

It wasn’t until February 23, 2023 that our governor officially ended the state of emergency. That means that our state was under Covid restrictions for almost three years. It is remarkable to look back and consider how our lives were impacted by the virus and the federal, state, and county guidelines. It is encouraging to me to see how God was able to sustain his people during the pandemic. It gives me hope that Christians will be able to continue to thrive, regardless of what difficulties come our way. 1 John 4:4 can be a great encouragement to believers today, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 

ocean wave at blue hour
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The Power of Proverbs

May 26, 2023 /

I have been amazed at how helpful the book of Proverbs has been in raising our four children. No other book in the Bible has brought as many fruitful discussions to our family devotions. We keep coming back to its thought-provoking chapters and profound moral puzzles because they help our sons and daughters learn how to navigate the difficulties of life. Some of the wise sayings are straight-forward and simple to understand, but many of them make you stop and think through the implications of their ancient wisdom.

I have lost count of the times I have told my family, “A Proverb a day keeps temptation away.” Studying the book of Proverbs does not guarantee an end to temptation, but it does provide a Biblically approved path that avoids the minefield of sin and dangers that lie on either side of the road of righteousness. Proverbs 10:9-10 puts it like this, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (English Standard Version) The book of Proverbs also makes it clear that it would be foolish to try to learn from its pages without first submitting yourself to God. Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” There is a right way to read the book of Proverbs. It is to come with the attitude of a submissive learner, ready to learn from its ancient deposit of truth.

After studying the Bible for more than two decades, I have come to the conclusion that the book of Proverbs is an indispensable manual for gaining the practical wisdom needed to live the way God intended. It is an ancient book that was compiled by wise men during the reign of the Jewish king Hezekiah (circa 715-686 BC). The book of Proverbs is made up of 915 verses, which were written by at least four authors, of whom King Solomon is by far the most well-known. The fame of his wisdom is not surprising if one realizes that the Bible claims he was the wisest man to ever live (1 Kings 3:12, 28). During his lifetime, men and women of renown traveled great distances to listen to his teaching on a wide range of subjects, including biology, philosophy, and theology. 1 Kings 4:34 gives the following historical account, “And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.”

I am often convicted by how easy it is to take God’s word. Imagine what people who lived during king Solomon’s time would have thought if they could own a personal copy of a book that had almost a thousand of the wisest sayings in the world? They would have considered it one of their most valuable possessions. One way to not take Proverbs for granted has been by reading a chapter or a portion of a chapter every day. This is easy to do because the book of Proverbs is divided into thirty-one chapters, one for every day of the month. Whenever I meet someone who wants to read the Bible consistently, I encourage them to read a Proverb a day. This makes it easy to keep track of the reading assignment and it keeps the topic interesting because the topics often change from verse to verse.

Some people find it difficult to read through Proverbs because the topics change so often. That is one reason why I recommend Dr. Richard Mayhue’s book Practicing Proverbs: Wise Living for Foolish Times. It is an excellent guide that takes a thematic approach to the book. This helps the reader dive into different themes such as Family, the Marketplace, Personal, and Spiritual wisdom. Dr. Mayhue encourages people to take an entire year to read through the Proverbs, reading through the chapters repeatedly in order to soak up the wisdom of each passage.

Personally, I have found it is helpful to ask the following questions with each Proverb: 1) How is this principle shown to be true in the rest of Scripture? 2) How is the truth of this proverb illustrated in modern life? These two questions have helped our family delve into hundreds of proverbs. This approach is helpful because the discussion can be adapted to the age of the children, whether they are young or teenagers.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of reading the Proverbs with our family has come from seeing our children grow in wisdom and in stature with God and man. I am not saying that they have arrived at wisdom, I am saying that I have been able to see how God has used His word to convict them of sin and bring them to repentance. He has helped them to see their own tendency to be immature and that has helped give them a desire to grow in spiritual maturity. He has used the book of Proverbs to give them priceless warnings about the dangers of life, so they will be prepared when the difficulties of life and the temptations of the world try to disrupt their path. My prayer is that they would develop a habit of reading the Proverbs that will serve them the rest of their lives.

Proverbs 8:35-36 provides a classic summary for why we should all pursue wisdom, “For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

The Godly Woman of Proverbs Thirty-One

May 12, 2023 /

The Bible gives a refreshingly clear description of an ideal woman in Proverbs 31:10-31. It is refreshing because it is not focused on the outward appearance of a woman. The twenty-two verses in this passage are overflowing with colorful imagery and practical illustrations of the kind of woman who “is to be praised.” It is important to note that the Bible does not require women to be married to faithfully serve God (1 Corinthians 7:7-8). Those who are married have a specific role to play in God’s glorious plan, but the principles listed in Proverbs 31 provides guidance regardless of whether someone is single or married. 

Many Christians are aware of the importance of the passage, but what is not as well known is that every stanza begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, starting with Aleph and ending with Tau. One reason the original author created this abecedarian, was to paint a complete picture of a Godly woman. This helped the readers of Proverbs to grasp the attitude and actions that God wants woman to have. 

This ancient wisdom has been helpful for women of every generation that have had access to it. As a husband of one such woman, I can personally attest to the joy and peace that is brought into the world by women who seek to follow after these principles. My prayer is that this article will bring a renewed interest in this profound teaching about God’s view of a wise woman. 

One of the unique aspects of this chapter is that the author goes out of his way to highlight the unique value that a woman of God brings to her husband. The modern reader might be surprised that husbands are mentioned in a chapter about women, but this is no surprise to the informed reader of Scripture. Genesis 2:15-18 

specifies that God’s intention in creating Eve was to be a “suitable helper” for her husband. Ephesians 5:22-27 gives even more detail regarding God’s beautiful design for marriage. The author, the apostle Paul, commands each husband to love his wife in a sacrificial way, modeled after the incomparable servanthood of Jesus Christ. In verse 22, the apostle Paul specifies that each wife is to submit to her husband’s leadership of the family. Far from encouraging wives to subjugate themselves to the sinful domination of a worldly husband, this is a profound encouragement for wives to follow the loving leadership of a husband who is being held accountable by the perfect guidance of a good and gracious God. 

This picture of a Godly wife supporting her loving husband is masterfully displayed in Proverbs 31:10-31. The passage includes three references to the husband and each of them show the special value that a woman of God can bring to her husband. Verses 10-12 state that a Godly wife “is more precious than jewels.” She has earned the trust of her husband and he is convinced that his relationship with her will bring him success, and not harm, all her life. 

Verse 23 is the next place that mentions the connection between a husband and an ideal woman of God. It says, “ Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.” The verses above and below imply that his wife’s excellent work and remarkable industry are one of the reasons her husband has such a good reputation in the city. 

Verses 28-31 bring a nice bookend to the passage because they reveal that a Godly woman will be praised by her children and her husband, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many jwomen have done kexcellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” The last sentence implies that her husband is the one recognizing his wife’s remarkable service to him, his family, and the community. 

The majority of the chapter is filled with detailed descriptions of the activity and attitude of an ideal woman of God. She is actively involved in the oversight of the business of the home. She is sacrificial in her concern for her children and for the responsibilities she has been given. She does not praise herself or demand recognition. Her praise comes from the lips of others. Proverbs 27:2 reinforces the idea of measuring the value of a woman of God from the words of others, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Ultimately, the value of each woman is only decided by the God who made her. Scripture is also clear that a woman does not have to be married in order to be faithful to God. In fact, the apostle Paul wrote that there was much value for both men and women to remain single (1 Corinthians 7:7-8). Regardless of someone’s marital status, each person can benefit by studying the example given in Proverbs 31 and each person can prayerfully ask God to help them live in a way that is pleasing to Him. 

The Crux & the Conscience

January 21, 2023 /

What is the most difficult decision you have ever had to make? Were you placed in a crux because of your own actions or was the situation thrust upon you? Often the most difficult decisions in life come when there are only two choices available and neither of them seem very positive at the time. I have found that if a person has a sensitive conscience, which has been informed by God’s word, then they will usually be able to make the right decision because they are guided by their conscience. This is how the conscience is supposed to work, and I find it fascinating to see how God’s word impacts the conscience and helps people navigate the difficult decisions of life. 

One of the most famous decisions of conscience can be seen in the case of King Solomon and the two women. By correlating ancient Assyrian accounts with the Biblical chronology we can place the fourth year of King Solomon’s reign to the year 966 BC. This gives us a very specific time-frame for when this event took place. 

The Bible describes King Solomon as the wisest man in the world. 1 Kings 3:16-28 tells us that two women were brought to King Solomon for what may have been the first true test of his wisdom. Each woman had given birth to a boy within a three day span. One of the babies had died in the night and the women wanted Solomon to decide who was the right mother of the child. The first woman claimed that the other woman’s baby boy had died because his mother had accidentally laid on him in her sleep. The first woman argued that the other woman switched the babies while she was asleep by taking the living baby and replacing him with the dead baby. 

The other woman denied this account and said, “‘No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.’ The first said, ‘No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.’ Thus they spoke before the king.” (ESV) You can imagine how difficult it would have been to judge between the two women. There was no DNA testing available three thousand years ago. King Solomon had to find a way to see who was the real mother and who was not. He made a decision that proved dramatically effective in the ancient context he lived in. 

King Solomon gave the order to have a sword brought to the courtroom. He said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” There is no indication that he was actually going to cut the child in two. He recognized each woman had a conscience, and he trusted that the threat of losing another child would elicit a powerful reaction from one of them.

Verses 26-28 tell us, “Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, ‘Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.’ But the other said, ‘He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.’ Then the king answered and said, ‘Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.’ And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.”

I find myself reacting to this account the same way the people of Israel did. I am amazed at Solomon’s wisdom, and I am also surprised by the response of the women. King Solomon’s wisdom is clearly seen because he recognized the powerful role of the human conscience. He recognized that mothers value the life of their children, and I believe he hoped that one of the women would be outraged by his solution and voluntarily provide a better one. His strategy proved effective, but not in the way some might think. 

I would think that the likely outcome of Solomon’s order would have been for the guilty woman to admit to switching the babies. You would think her guilt at taking her housemate’s baby would eat away at her conscience and she would want to come clean and make things right. But that is not what happened. Instead of admitting her guilt, the other woman cried out in support of another killing. She said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” Those are the words of a cold-hearted killer. Instead of having her conscience softened, she had actually hardened her heart to the point of justifying another death. 

This is a tragic reality of the human conscience. It can be hardened to the point of justifying murder. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” As Christians we need to be aware of our propensity to self-deception, and we need to make sure our conscience stays keen and aligned with God’s word so that we will not find ourselves condoning sin or giving into temptation. 

The other surprising aspect of this account is the response of the true mother. She could have cried out in anguish and rebelled against the judge’s ruling. She didn’t. She said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” That is a surprisingly gracious response. Did she realize that she was giving permission for her child to be given to a woman who had kidnapped him just a few days before? How could she do that? I believe she was able to because she valued the life of her child over the rule of the law. She could live with injustice, but she could not live with condoning the death of her own child. 

One last thing to consider. Why didn’t the guilty woman keep her mouth shut? King Solomon might not have had clarity to see her crime if she had stayed quiet. But that is not what happened. The hatred and wickedness of the other woman was so strong that she could not help crying out for murder. That should be a powerful warning for us as well. A hardened conscience is deceitfully wicked, capable of doing much worse than the person might even recognize. 

I hope this story is a helpful reminder of the importance of keeping our conscience clean before the Lord. May we pray with the Psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

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