In the genealogy of Jesus recorded in Matthew, there are not a lot of historical markers, but he does insert this one regarding Josiah’s children: “Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon” (Matt. 1:11). This was that transitional generation, who raised their children in the far country of Babylon, rather than at home in Judah.…

From the moment that a person is born, the only eyes through which he can see things are his own. When a person begins to walk, the only steps that he takes and understands are his own. Humans are self-contained, self-sustaining, self-focused creatures. How curious for the prophet Jeremiah to observe, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is…

After referencing Jesus’ words in Mark 12:25, “For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage,” a Christian lady once observed, “I’m not sure that I want to be in heaven if I can’t be there with my husband as my husband.” Isn’t interesting how we think we have a better idea of what will make heaven…

You know what a couch potato is, right? That term is usually used to describe a person who spends a lot of time sitting or lying on a couch and leads a life of little to no physical activity. This is a person who usually does very little for others, and instead, often needs or expects others to be doing things him. Quite a mental…

The man after God’s own heart was getting ready to die and he had one last message for his son, Solomon (who was maybe in his early 20s). It is the message that every man of every age needs to hear. It is the message that every son needs to hear. Listen to it carefully, “Be strong, and prove yourself a man” (1 Kgs. 2:2). Not…

The Bible makes it very plain that there are no promises that God made to the Jews that are yet unfulfilled. God is not going to restore the Jews to any land now or in the future, for the promise that He made to Abraham regarding that land (Gen. 12:1; 13:14-16; 15:18-21) has been fulfilled (Josh. 23:14; 1 Kgs. 4:20-21; Neh. 9:7-8). “So the…

Not many folks have ever played a sport out of spite, regret or disinterest. Most play a sport because they find a thrill, joy and true pleasure in doing so. How interesting that God uses the word “sport” in the book of Proverbs in a similar way—to describe something in which a person finds thrill, joy and true pleasure. God says, “To do evil…

There’s an old saying—“The boat belongs in the water, but the water doesn’t belong in the boat.” Christians live in the world, but there’s a problem when the world lives in Christians. One part of our society that seems to be creeping more and more into the church (and deeper and deeper into the hearts of its members) is a spirit of hate. The sharp…