As if the heart and its desires cannot (and perhaps, should not) be controlled, often a statement is made to defend an unexpected or unjustifiable action, “Well, the heart wants what the heart wants, right?” Think about that claim. Think about what is behind such a claim. Think about where such a claim leads. What would happen if each person on this…
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Posts by David Sproule (Page 49)
The old Yellow Pages. Some remember them well. Some have no idea what a “Phone Book” even was. The Yellow Pages were a printed telephone directory of businesses in a local area, which was organized by categories and provided their addresses and phone numbers. The slogan, “Let your fingers do the walking,” was created to encourage residents to flip through the directory (provided free of charge)…
When you set out to resolve a conflict with a brother or sister in Christ (i.e., to be “reconciled,” as Jesus instructed in Matthew 5:23-24), you should have a clear goal in mind and even seek to communicate that goal. The goal should not be oriented toward “selfish ambition” (Phil. 2:3), but it should be focused on the health of long-term Christian relationships…
At the end of each sermon in our worship services, we extend the Lord’s invitation, and then we stand and sing a “Song of Encouragement” (a.k.a. “Invitation Song”) to “encourage” folks to respond to the Lord. While this is an expedient to the preaching of the gospel, it has proven over the years to be a beneficial one and worthy of continuation.…
The Lord sent the sheepbreeder Amos to warn the northern kingdom of Israel of their impending captivity. Israel had long been in rebellion against their Lord, and the consequences were nigh. Still, in a “lamentation” against them, Jehovah pleads with them to return. It’s not too late, if they will come back. Three times in chapter 5, the Lord pleads through Amos with these parallel…
When “the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,” they asked for the location of the “King of the Jews” (Matt. 2:2). When Pilate had Jesus crucified, he “put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Matt. 27:37). Was Jesus “the King of the Jews”? Well, yes. But so much more! In the grand scheme,…
What was it? Was it a health scare or diagnosis or uncertainty that grabbed you and wouldn’t turn your mind loose? Was it the sudden death of someone dear to you? Was it the dissolving of your marriage? Was it the unexpected revelation from a family member or friend that stunned your senses? You’ve been there. What was it that got you…
Has someone ever started telling you something and you either (1) thought you knew what they were going to say or (2) hoped they were going to say something, but then (3) they said something completely different? Did you try to change what they actually said into what you thought or hoped they would say? Or did you just accept what they said? So…