Romans 1:1 10/27/2026

“Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God”

This is Paul’s introduction to the Romans. This letter is unique because Paul had never been to Rome as a believer. He is not responding to a church situation. He is “street preaching”, so the gospel is ultra-clear and to the point. We can learn a lot from his first sentence.

Paul opens by identifying himself as a bondservant… The original word is “Doulos”, and it means slave. Paul is saying his life is not his own. His qualification is not his education, apostleship, nor authority… He is a slave and he wants people to know it. Is that my identifier? Do I open with that, or do I want you to know my credentials? And If I open with servanthood, then whom do I serve?  “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name; it is a title. When I apply that title to Jesus it is a clear claim regarding his position and authority in my life. 

Is that how you see yourself?… Is Jesus your Master? Do you see the Bible as helpful literature, or as a proclamation from your King? Is it a book of suggestions or commandments? Those questions need to be answered prior to crisis.

After establishing his servanthood, Paul acknowledges his apostleship and states that he writes with authority. This is another trait we should mimic. Not claiming our authority, but that The Word of God is authoritative. Peter confirms Paul’s writings as scripture, and states that those who distort it do so at their own peril. What about you and me? Do we obey, or distort? Do we casually skim The Bible or study it as though it carried the power of life and death… because it does.

Then his final declaration is that he is “set apart”… am I? Am I holy?… Being “Set-apart” occurs when I’m single minded and focused on producing disciples… my holiness is essential to that objective. Is my heart “set apart” and does it exclusively belong to God, or am I unfocused and double minded?

When you look in the mirror this morning, know your qualifications… Your worth, security, and power don’t come from who you are… they come from whose you are.

"Your value and purpose are not set by public opinion. It was settled at Calvary." - Anonymous

Genesis 50:20 10/20/2026

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

If you’ve been following this blog for long, this morning’s entry might sound familiar. We covered this verse a few years back, and it’s needed today as much as it was then. This verse contains Joseph’s statement to his brothers who had heartlessly sold him into slavery. How did he avoid resentment when he was treated unfairly by those closest to him? How can we avoid resentment when life seems unfair to us?

Two of the most destructive emotions on the planet are bitterness and self-pity. They are parasitic emotions that when allowed to fester, will destroy their hosts. Faith eliminates the environment they need to exist. Trusting God changes your viewpoint.  It transforms you from a victim to an operative in God’s army.  It allows you to watch God use what should have destroyed you. …to Make you stronger.

Trusting in an all-powerful God gives you the patience to “let the play develop”.  It allows you to resist panic and wait for God to reveal His strategy.  He is not anxious or surprised and as His precious child you shouldn’t be either.

Living with Confidence in Christ is what allows an alcoholic to recover and move on to help others fighting the same battle. It enables those who have waded through unimaginable grief to rescue others sinking in it.  It allows couples who have worked hard and saved their marriage, to help others who are struggling. God never wastes pain; He uses it to create battle tested “veterans” who can provide priceless guidance to others who are entering the fight. 

Completely relying on God changes you at your core. Faithfulness allows you to trust that the Lord will protect you, and that He fully intends to use this trial for your good, and His glory.

If you’re in the middle of a war today, keep fighting… you are not alone.  Know that God loves you, and He will carry you through… Grab His Hand and hold on, then turn your gaze outward and find the “many lives” you have been sent to save through the storm.

"It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is  weary." -  Charles Spurgeon

Acts 2:37-38 10/13/2026

^“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 

When Peter told the people the hard truth of their guilt and need of the gospel, they were cut to the heart and asked, “What are we to do?” There is humility and honesty in their response and Peter’s reply to their question is simple… repent and publicly commit your life to Christ. 

Sometimes I find myself looking for novel approaches that will help others understand the gospel. I look for clever ways to open people’s eyes.  I think God approves of me trying to present the gospel in interesting ways,  but the power of God’s word is found in the clear truth it presents… Clarity far outweighs creativity when it comes to effectiveness.

Peter realized that fact and simply said, “Repent and be baptized” and through the Power of the Holy Spirit, 3000 people were saved. No smoke and lights, no media presentation…. Just the unvarnished truth.  While trying to present the gospel in ways that people can identify with, I must never forget that scripture being interpreted by the Spirit of God is where the power resides.

Today, as representatives of Christ in a fallen world, we must not allow creativity to water down or distract from the truth. God is not impressed with productions and slick performances… He desires true worship. 1 Samuel says, “For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”  That applies to all of us. How my ministry looks on the outside is irrelevant if it is doubleminded  and stained with ego on the inside.  

The people asked, “What should we do?” The answer was clear: repent, confess, publicly proclaim Christ, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. This is our message, and we must not let innovation distort it. Whether the world finds our ministry entertaining is not our concern; our goal is to lead people to repentance and new life.

"The church that can't worship must be entertained. And men who can't lead a church to worship must provide the entertainment." - A.W. Tozer

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 10/6/2026

“For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves...”

This passage speaks to an extreme and necessary dichotomy that we as Christians cannot afford to overlook. Misunderstanding either side of this contradiction will weaken your walk and expose you to attacks by the enemy. 

The passage begins by describing God’s power which called light out of darkness.  We carry that power within us. Jesus, once told the Sadducees,  “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” The Greek word for power used there is “dunamis”.  It’s used over 100 times in the New Testament and is the root word for our words dynamite … Like the Sadducees, we often underestimate the power that indwells our soul. We carry the force that created the universe within us. Nothing can separate us from that power, and nothing can stand against it… When we are unsuccessful it is often because we don’t know the power of God, so we try to accomplish things with our own feeble strength.

The second part of the passage is just as crucial. That indescribable power is contained in clay jars. This reminds us that we are earthen, fragile containers that stand in remarkable contrast to what is within us. It’s like carrying a nuclear warhead in a paper sack… the contrast exists so we will be aware that our awesome power and ability have nothing to do with WHO we are, and everything to do with WHOSE we are. 

Our salvation, our righteousness and our power have nothing to do with our strength. Our contribution is simply acknowledging that we have nothing to give.  Understanding this paradox allows us to walk in bold unshakable confidence, based solely on the power that fills us… when we grasp this arrangement it is only logical to joyfully say ….”I must decrease, and He must increase.” 

“Remember, it is not your weakness that will get in the way of God’s working through you, but your delusions of strength. His strength is made perfect in our weakness!” - Paul Tripp

John 3:27-30 9/29/2026

“John replied, “A person can receive not even one thing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’  He who has the bride is the groom; but the friend of the groom, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the groom’s voice. So, this joy of mine has been made full.  He must increase, but I must decrease.”

This passage gives context to a well-known verse. John the Baptist was “the man”… He had been a top “influencer” for a long time.  The Jewish historian Josephus wrote about John drawing massive crowds out to the wilderness.  Herod Antipas feared John’s influence, and religious leaders sent delegations to him, thinking perhaps he was the Messiah. 

Then Jesus comes on the scene, and everything changes. John is targeted by one of the enemy’s favorite weapons (envy) as his followers start following Christ.  But John gives us a template on how to  respond to this temptation... Keep your eye on the prize … John knows his mission has been assigned by God, and his desire is to be effective within God’s plan.  Knowing the Messiah had arrived… John says something profound that we sometimes miss.  He doesn’t just tolerate Jesus increasing, and him decreasing… this transition fills John with happiness. Like the best man at a wedding, he is overjoyed for the groom.

Is that how you respond when the spotlight leaves your ministry and goes toward others? When God brings a new talented person to increase growth in His Kingdom does it make you joyful? Or do you instead tear down others when you’re in their shadow?  God calls us to be encouragers. And like John, we should be filled with joy when others build the Kingdom for which we fight.  

Pride is the original sin, and its self-centeredness is poisonous. I am a servant of the King, and my aim is to exalt Him. Whether I am elevated or serve as a steppingstone does not matter, so long as He is glorified. Live your life helping others succeed, and when it happens, be their biggest fan.

“The true measure of your own success is found in how loudly you cheer for the achievements of others without feeling a single shred of envy.”
- anonymous

PSALM 75:3 9/22/2026

“The earth and all who inhabit it are unsteady…”

What a powerful statement from the mouth of God.  God is the only reliable foundation available to us. Anyone, or anything I turn to for stability will prove to be unsteady.  If I desire my life to be on firm ground… if I desire strength,  steadiness, and contentment, there is only one foundation that will stand. I must depend solely on God.  All earthly anchors will be weak and unsure.

My Dad’s career was in commercial construction, and he was well known for his insistence on strong pier and beam foundations. He oversaw the building of First Baptist Church Houston back in the 1970’s when they moved from downtown, out to the west loop. Years later, at Dad’s funeral, I learned that the church’s foundation had been built strong enough to allow multiple stories to be added if it became necessary.

Few people nowadays build in that way. Most spend the minimum on the foundation, which is unseen, and pour the money into the above ground amenities that are visible…. Which is fine, until it’s not. Until the rain and wind, followed by the heat begins to move the ground you built on and cracks start to appear. This happens in buildings, marriages, careers, relationships, etc. And when the cracks appear it threatens everything that has been built upon the faulty foundation. 

Like a wise contractor you must be patient in building your life. This morning’s verse must be an undeniable part of your theology and lead you to patiently invest in a strong, immovable foundation on which to build your life.  The nine words in this passage should greet you every morning. They should be an integral part of your belief system. The time and resources you will waste by forgetting those words are immeasurable.

Are you looking for security in your bank account? Do you think your “followers” and social media clicks assure your significance? Do you expect your political party to deliver you from the threats this world poses?… God says all of that is shifting sand…what the world offers may look good in the sunshine, but when the rain comes, it will all fall apart. Take your time, insist on quality footings and build your life on the Rock.

“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand”
- Edward Mote

PSALM 39:1 9/15/2026

“I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle...” 

This is our pet sin; we make no attempt to guard our mouths. We are quick to speak, slow to listen, and quick to become angry, which is exactly backwards of biblical instruction. When triggered, we are just a keyboard away from exposing the vitriol we carry in our hearts.

When I read this verse, I thought of how I should instruct you all to respond to God, instead of reacting in anger… I wanted to warn you to be careful before hitting the send button… But not a single thought about myself.  No remorse for hurtful words that slip out because I don’t guard my mouth…. No repentance for a heart that hides arrogance behind religious phrases. Why do I so clearly see your problems but am blind to my own? It seems we’re better at critiquing other people’s statements than muzzling our own mouths.  When my heart gets polluted, my tongue is the thermometer that quickly reveals how controlled I am by sin. 

David is clearly depressed at the writing of the psalm, but he doesn’t lash out and blame someone else. He owns it .  Which is something we seem to have lost the ability to do.  Some call David inconsistent and moody…but the truth is he is transparent.  He, like us, has days that he is ready to take on the world with a slingshot, and other days when he doesn’t want to get out of bed because he feels defeated and exhausted.

The instructional part is that though he argues, he complains, he pleads, he confesses …all of that is directed toward His Father… Psalms is a book of prayers to God, not posts to followers.  God is always the answer to his questions. He never hides from the Lord or gathers a group of friends together to complain to…  he consistently turns to the Father for comfort and leans on advice found in scripture. 

Surround yourself with friends who love you and will help carry your burdens… but guard your mouth. Save your most intimate heartfelt words for your Father in praise and supplication, and intentionally eliminate statements that produce depression, despair, and anxiety. 

“God is always ready to listen anytime you are ready to talk.”
- Anonymous

2 Corinthians 4:17 9/8/2026

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

When I was in elementary school, I received a rock tumbler as a gift. I was amazed when I first used it and saw that what had once been dull average looking rocks had become shining jewels.  This led to what I am sure was my Mom’s and sisters most memorable Christmas as they received exquisite rings and necklaces  that I had handcrafted from the rocks I had tumbled for weeks.  Strangely, I don’t remember anyone but my mom actually wearing them.

Looking back, that little machine was a great illustration. The friction caused by the constant motion slowly wore off the dull outside of the rocks and revealed a beauty that, without the abrasiveness, would have never been seen.  Paul says that the troubles of this world do the same thing.  They are not only endurable, but they actually serve the purpose of achieving eternal glory for us.  The constant tumbling and rubbing and bumping into the trouble found in this world removes rough edges.  The abrasion reveals beauty buried deep inside. 

The key to the process is the grit.  The stones themselves do  not do  the work… it is the small, almost imperceivable grit that does the work of shining.  The other indispensable ingredient is time. There are no shortcuts and there is no way to speed up the process. 

As people chasing after God’s own heart, we must be tumbled around a bit ourselves. The friction generated by the irritants of this world reveals what is beneath the surface of your life. If you have been redeemed, grinding and scuffing will begin to reveal the beauty of the Spirit of God as the rough edges are smoothed away. 

There is no doubt that we will all enter the tumbler today, surrounded by enough grit to wear away the carefully crafted façade we show our friends and followers. Make sure the beauty of God is at your core, so when the trials of this world remove the outer layers, people are drawn to what lies beneath. Though your heart may at times appear to be common and dull, allow the constant pressure created by the trials of this world to reveal it as a priceless gem.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.” - Helen Keller

PSALM 85:10 9/1/2026

”Graciousness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

Commentators describe the phrase, “met together” as a term depicting those who should be friends, but whom circumstances have separated. That is an accurate description of our relationship with God…. He is our Father, Creator, and King… we should be family, but our sin has divided us. Our communion with God has been disrupted and we no longer live in the relationship for which we were created.

However, because of His great love for us,  God has remedied this condition. “Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other”… that occurred on the Cross where Jesus horrifically suffered and died to pay my debt. God’s glorious grace, and the shame of my wickedness encountered each other, and God’s righteousness has been satisfied. His grace has given me the kiss of peace, and our relationship has been restored. 

What possible response, other than gratitude can I have to this miracle? Is there any room for boasting? Would it not be insanity to claim that I have done anything that merits such a gift? Yet we “church goers” entertain such madness on a regular basis. We think our quiet times, offerings, or kindness somehow makes us more deserving of salvation than our neighbors. 

Ironically, few attitudes are more repulsive to God than believing we can earn His grace. It nauseates Him… and understandably so. If you sacrificed a loved one to save me, and I offered you money or trinkets in return, it would do nothing but offend you. Multiply that by infinity and you will begin to understand God’s opinion of you “working” for your salvation. 

We hear “Amazing Grace” so often that the phrase loses its power to astonish us.  It is utterly unimaginable that God would do what He did. That He would sacrifice His Son to redeem us even while we were pushing Him away…. And it is inexcusable for us to believe we have anything to offer as reimbursement. 

When counting your blessings, place first the fact that His love and your sin came face to face, and His grace bestowed on you Christ’s righteousness, and the kiss of eternal peace with your heavenly Father… In comparison, everything else is just details. 

“We are justified, not by giving anything to God, but by receiving from God, what Christ hath done for us.”  – William Gurnall

2 Corinthians 5:21 8/25/2026

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

This is one of the clearest verses illustrating what theologians call “Imputed Righteousness”.  The early reformers called it  “Alien Righteousness” which I like better, because it clarifies that it does not come from this world.  The power that saves you does not originate within you.  That’s why Jonathon Edwards said, “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”  Whatever you call it; this concept is the heart of the gospel.   

Alien Righteousness is also a stumbling block for many people….  because it absolutely eliminates boasting.  I didn’t accept Christ because I am smarter, more perceptive, or innately better than those who are lost.  Believing that we can do something that will make us like God is what tripped us up in the garden and still does today.  Surely, we can  find a  way for us to get at least a little bit of credit for our eternal salivation, right?  Nope, because if there were, we would boast.  

We would take credit and become our own little god, and that violates the very First commandment… “ …have no other gods before me.”  The original sin is pride, and it can only be combatted by humility. And the way to humility is to take an honest look at our condition and acknowledge our inability to change it. 

The self-righteous insists that If they do more good than bad, they should get into Heaven… The problem is that regardless of their accounting, they don’t do more good than bad, and even if they did, the requirement for entrance is perfection.

The pious believe their religious deeds, and rituals make them “more” worthy and thereby qualify them to judge others. The issue there is that scripture calls their deeds “filthy rags” (research that and you’ll be repulsed by what it means). 

The bottom line is that our own righteousness is inadequate… We must have His righteousness, and only His death and resurrection can impute this alien righteousness to us.  Only then by grace, may we stand before God in complete perfection and enter into His presence…. That is amazing grace.

 “You stand before God as if you were Christ, because Christ stood before God as if he were you.” – Charles Spurgeon