Romans 1:22 6/9/2026

“Claiming to be wise, they became fools…” 

Romans contains what many call the “Roman Road to salvation” and it starts with powerful words that haven’t lost their sting in 2000 years.  In our arrogance we have continued our degradation.  Unlike evolution which argues we have progressed…  scripture shows a fall, and a continued cultural drift away from any intelligent conception of God.  

The first chapter says that God has revealed Himself and we are without excuse. While we know He exists, we have not acknowledged Him as God nor followed His law.  The lie told in the garden still lives today, and it always begins when we see a difficult command clearly laid out in scripture and ask,  “Did God really say that?”. This is usually followed by some “scriptural open field running” which culminates in people calling themselves Christians without acting like it.  This is problematic since Jesus said, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments”.

It seems some people want Jesus as Savior but not as Lord. So, they rename sin and preach only tolerance.  Twisting some verses and  completely ignoring others to avoid clear commands. They argue that God is love, so sin carries no consequences … In other words, claiming to be wise they become fools and refuse to acknowledge that God is both loving and holy.  Mistakenly seeing Him as a cruel taskmaster waiting to punish us, or a heavenly grandfather just hoping we will acknowledge Him.  

Here is the truth.  Your loving Heavenly Father is the Holy King of Kings.  His omnipotence is terrifying and anything sinful will be annihilated… and here’s the problem. You’re sinful.  In human terms that is an enigma. BUT GOD in His love, found a way to remain holy and make you holy as well.  It came at a high price, and it is the only way to avoid eternal separation from God. 

You must call sin what it is… confess and turn away from it and be redeemed by the Blood of His Son … This is the only way for a Holy God to spend eternity with sinners like you and me.  Don’t become a fool by listening to the “wisdom” of our culture…  Repent and gratefully take hold of your redemption.

“Do not give fair names to foul sins. Call them what you will, they will smell no sweeter.”  - Spurgeon

PSALM 9:1-2 6/2/2026

"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High."

I will, I will, I will, I will…. Four times David declares his intentions.  He proclaims he will give thanks, tell of God’s deeds, be glad and rejoice, and sing praises. The rest of the Psalm contains descriptions of God’s glory, and requests for God to move… But the lesson this morning is, that right out of the blocks, David DECIDES to praise God.

David’s decision was made prior to God responding to his requests. David chooses gratefulness.  Instead of looking for reasons to be unhappy …. he chooses to focus on God’s graciousness. The benefits of this choice should be obvious, yet it’s a battle we fight daily. We all have things to be thankful for as well as issues to be concerned about. So, we have a decision to make. If you can fix something, fix it… but if you can’t, what is the point of worrying about it? Jesus emphasized this by asking, “Can you add one hour to your life by worrying?”. 

It’s annoying to have someone say, “just stop worrying” because we think it’s not a choice.  But both scripture and science indicate that gratitude nullifies anxiety.   You are not alone.  No matter what people’s online profile says… no one escapes the troubles of this fallen world… And at the same time, all of us are blessed with more than we deserve.  So, choose.

It is not naive to be joyful; you’re not pretending you don’t have problems… It is naive to believe that worrying about them will improve anything.  If we believe what we say we do... it should change us.  So, it’s your call but remember that  “what a man thinks in his heart… so is he.” So today, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and anything worthy of praise think about these things.” Review that list again and be purposeful with your thoughts  … Choose peace by trusting God and watch Him transform your life.

“Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.” – Glenn Turner

Job 36:4 5/26/2026

“Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.”  

Jobs’ young friend Elihu gives us a lesson on how not to treat those who are suffering.  He gets on a roll, and talks himself past the truth.  As I’ve said before, bad theology usually comes from one of two areas… either the wrong view of God - or the wrong view of ourselves. And Elihu suffers from the latter. He is a little too sure of his intellect. 

Elihu‘s statement claiming “perfect knowledge” is followed by some scripturally accurate observations.  However, he goes too far and draws inaccurate conclusions.  Elihu proclaims that if men obey and serve God “they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.”  Thus, he assumes that Job’s suffering has been caused by Job’s sin. 

While scripture teaches us that righteous living can shield us  from the consequences of sin, it also is clear that all men face suffering in this broken world…  Even patriarchs like Abraham, Moses, and David suffered. But Elihu’s erroneous assumptions supported his arrogance and self-righteousness, so he goes with it. 

What we can learn here is that we have the propensity to do what Elihu did.  We can “cherry-pick” truths to exalt ourselves and support the judgement of others.  This comes when we lack poorness in spirit. It happens when we have an elevated view of our own righteousness. I’ve got to keep that in mind when I counsel others, especially those who are hurting.  I have a close relationship with God. I trust His Word. But I cannot let that blind me to the fact that I am a sinful man who has limited knowledge of the circumstances in any given situation.  I should be God-assured, but not so self-assured.  

If I can’t give advice based on scripture, in context, then I shouldn’t give advice. Elihu needs more poorness of spirit.  He needs to humbly offer guidance with the realization that he doesn’t see the whole picture.  When we help the wounded, we need to have empathy.  Never water down truth but our advice must be scriptural and  should be offered humbly and carefully and always delivered with a “sore eye” and a “limp”. (Matthew 7:5 & Genesis 32:31). 

“The poor in spirit are deeply aware of being God-made and God-sufficient.”
- Eugene H. Peterson

James 4:6 5/19/2026

“… Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

Sometimes scripture is mysterious and hard to understand but that is not the case this morning.  Evidently, arrogance puts us in opposition to the King of Kings.  

So, are you always the smartest person in the room, or are you poor in spirit?  It’s critical to understand that, not only will God not support pridefulness – He will actively oppose it.  Have some of your most “brilliant” plans not worked out?  Does your intellect at times seem to not hold up under scrutiny?  ... According to this verse, there may be a reason for that. It is dangerous to ignore God saying He opposes something you’re doing.  

Humility is the remedy for pride. This passage says being “poor in spirit” produces grace.  …. So how do I progress from arrogance to being poor in spirit? What does it take to suppress egotism and elevate humbleness?

Pride is the original sin… it turned an angel into a devil, and has destroyed countless men, yet we don’t run from it.  Our smugness is a result of failing to compare our shallow righteousness to the perfect holiness of God. Take an honest look in the mirror. Shine the purity of an omnipotent God on your trivial “good works” and be wrecked by the comparison.  As in Isaiah 6,  observe the holiness of God and cry out “Woe to me… I am ruined!”  It’s crucial to recognize that we are destitute and broken. That realization allows God’s power to be perfected in our weakness. It stops our arrogance from interfering with His omnipotent indescribable power and makes us usable vessels for the gospel. 

As I look for a suitable quote to end this message it dawns on me that there are more quotes exalting pride than there are warning against it.  And that is the problem… The world will push you into the very thing that will destroy you. Don’t buy the lie.  Let me challenge you today to die to yourself and let your value be found in your relationship with God. Pursue The Lord first, serve His children second, and you remain third. It will provide strength and freedom you can find nowhere else.  

“Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves.” - Ezra Taft Benson

2 Chron 24:17 5/12/2026

“After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king (Joash), and he listened to them.” 

Joash became king at 7 years old, and for about 30 years Jehoiada was his mentor.  “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.”  But when Jehoiada died, our verse this morning shares an ominous statement that changes the course of Joash’s life. Joash listened to flattery and it destroyed him.  So, the lesson today is “Guard your heart”, and it applies to us in two ways:

The first application is obvious… Joash, was raised well.  I was too, my parents and mentors gave me every opportunity to grow in the Lord. I was given a firm foundation. However, I can’t assume that because I had parents and mentors who gave me a good start, that the enemy won’t try to flatter me into finishing poorly… I must Guard my heart, especially against compliments…  "Man is tested by the praise he receives" (Proverbs 27:21). When Jehoiada died, the officials that came to memorialize his life, flattered King Joash and he eagerly listened. Joash embraced their praises, and pride demolished his life. The original sin did what it always does… destroys.

The second application is more subtle…and applies to how we mentor others.  As parents, teachers, and coaches, we must examine those we lead to make sure we don’t just change their conduct, without changing their hearts. Jehoiada was a godly priest… and Joash followed his instructions.  But when Jehoiada died, Joash went completely off the rails… That indicates that Joash grew up doing the right things, but not for the right reasons. Surface obedience without heart change is dangerously misleading. Scripture says anything done in that condition is worthless. 

The lesson is that while we mentor, we must influence actions, but we also must influence motives.  This approach is more time-consuming, but it’s part of making true disciples.  So, as we raise our children, and mentor those God puts in our lives, we must deal with the cause, not just the effect…. We must make sure we lead others to their own faith, not just train them to mimic ours. We are called to be heart doctors, not choreographers.

“The hypocrite’s concern is not how holy he is, but how holy he looks.”
– Richard Sibbes

Joshua 9:1-2 5/5/2026

“Now it came about when all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill country, the lowland, and on all the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard about it,  that they met together with one purpose, to fight with Joshua and with Israel.”

So, apparently ignoring inconvenient truths and adjusting your “algorithm” to support your agenda, is not a new phenomenon.  Everybody, including the kings referred to in this passage, had heard about the parting of the waters of the Jordan river. They were aware that the walls of Jericho fell at the shouts of the Israelites. Still, they ignored the success of the Israeli military and instead stubbornly planned to fight God’s army. 

It’s interesting that they didn’t examine those miracles… Despite the evidence, they neglected to consider the possibility that the Israelites God was actually God... They failed to explore Israel’s claims of divine deliverance. So, it seems the lesson this morning is that arrogance leads to willful ignorance.  And that arrogance still exists today. 

How many people today are ignoring truth and cherry-picking statistics to suit their agenda? Secular teaching offers no definitive answer as to how, or why we exist. And even if it did, science has been embarrassingly inconsistent throughout history.  Accordingly, researchers refer to “god particles” and other phrases that confirm that there is power out there that we don’t understand.  

So, we search… but not for truth, only for support of our opinion.  For example, If you ask ChatGPT, it will list Christianity as the most historically defensible religion, and Judaism as the oldest continuous tradition. Yet many refuse to even read, much less study the Bible. Preferring to have no answers at all, over answers that don’t suit their purpose.

Don’t double down on willful ignorance. God has not hidden Himself. He has provided ample evidence and we are without excuse. God loves you and sent His Son to redeem you… Your eternal destiny hinges on what you do with that fact. Take and unbiased look… Study His love letter to you and weigh the evidence.  Don’t form your opinion and then collect truths to support it… Collect the truth, then form your opinion. 

“They would rather believe the impossible, than accept the unthinkable…  that there is a Creator.”  - Thomas Nagel

Deuteronomy 3:20 4/28/2026

“…until the Lord gives rest to your fellow countrymen as to you, and they also take possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then you may return, each man to his possession which I have given you.”

Moses is informing the Israelites that they are “all for one and one for all”. And God expects us to have the same mentality.  At times we hear about people in our church, family, or friend groups that are struggling…  we hurt for them but often feel helpless so we move on…. However, this verse sets a precedent that God’s people are to be strongly connected. Our motto must be that no one rests until everyone rests.  This passage illustrates that I need  a stronger “team view” regarding those who are in my community, instead of an “it’s OK, if I’m Ok” view.

What about you?  Are you resting while someone close to you is fighting for their life?  Have you received your portion of the “promised land”, and are content to put down your weapons and relax? That has never been God’s plan.

There are people in your immediate circle who need you badly.  They may not admit it; they may cover it well… but there are friends and relatives losing hope right now.  If that is you reach out to those who love you.  They are not silent because they don’t care, they are silent because they’re unaware.

If you’re not in the middle of a storm, be grateful, but don’t be one of those who is unaware.  Thank God for the peace you are experiencing, then pick up your sword and look around.  Find the hurting loved one, and fight for them side by side.  Christians don’t find peace by avoiding battles, they find peace by winning them.  It is described as a peace that passes understanding, because while you are standing there exhausted, bloodied, and bruised, there is an unexplainable ease and contentment.

That is the litmus test for friendship. Love disallows apathy. So, if a loved one is struggling, join them… No part of the body can hurt without the whole body hurting. … So, when they fight you fight - and when they rest you can rest.

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” 
- Walter Winchell

2 Kings 18:4 4/21/2026

“He also crushed to pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel had been burning incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.”

King Hezekiah began his religious reformation by reopening the Temple.  He then tore down the High Places that had erroneously been used as places to worship God. Then he did something very interesting.  He commanded the bronze Serpent ,which God commissioned in Numbers 21:9, to be crushed to pieces… Why?  Why would something that God ordered, made for the deliverance of His people, need to be destroyed?  The answer is found at the end of the verse. The Israelites had begun to worship the gift instead of the Giver.  A good thing had become bad, because it had become an idol. 

 Has that happened in your life? Has something God provided to help you, become an idol that needs to be crushed. Even something that God ordained can be misused and become harmful. 

Some religions have elevated people and relics far above their intended purposes. Other denominations have pushed some gifts to levels of importance to which they were never intended to be raised.  Others look to their discipline and routines to provide their salvation. Even the cross can be pushed beyond a symbol of the one who died upon it… The item or action itself may be neutral but worshiping it is not.  Burning incense literally or figuratively to a created object, person or practice is idol worship. And  ANYTHING that detracts from Jesus Christ as God  - must be crushed to pieces.  

It doesn’t have to be people or relics, it can be routines, emblems, images, religion, reputation, education, etc. The enemy is skilled in misdirecting us by using neutral items to pull us off the path we are intended to follow. God is a jealous God, and Jesus was clear, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". Chase what matters… and chase only what matters. Being a man after God’s own heart, means making sure nothing even comes close to participating in the  worship that is due to the one and only true God. 

The first commandment is first for a reason – One God and only One God.

 "An 'idol' is anything which displaces God in my heart." — A. W. Pink

1 Kings 6:15,18,20 4/14/2026

“He lined its interior walls with cedar boards, paneling them from the floor of the temple to the ceiling, and covered the floor of the temple with planks of juniper…  The inside of the temple was cedar… He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar.”

Interesting details about Solomon using precious materials to build the Temple.  It was fascinating to me that various types of beautiful and expensive woods were covered by gold. Had I been the designer I would have used cheap materials for anything that was going to  be gold plated.

I think that’s an illustration of how man cares about appearance, but God looks deeper than that.  When men walked into the temple, they saw the surface beauty. But when God entered the temple, He saw the workmanship and quality material used in its construction. 

The same is true of my life. Men only see the surface. But God looks at every level and knows if what I have constructed is a cheap imitation covered with flashy material, or if I used the best of the best, and gave all I had to build a dwelling for Him.

It doesn’t say in this chapter, but my guess is God prefers the foundation to be quality even if it doesn’t look flashy.  Unfortunately, we emphasize the opposite, focusing mostly on appearance…  Sometimes our Sunday morning self looks like we’re covered in gold, but Monday shows the plywood and plastic that our image is built on. 

Let me challenge you today to examine your life at a deeper level.  At the core of your walk is there strong quality material that will be sturdy in times of trial.  Gold is pretty but it’s soft… is there solid commitment under the Gold coating?

In life you must build the solid prior to the shiny. Don’t misunderstand, our offering should be covered with the most glistening  beautiful substance we possess. But the foundation of our faith, the part that goes unseen, must be solid valuable material that will withstand the onslaught of this world.  We must have “Iceberg faith”, which means while what is above should be beautiful, the strength comes from the depth and quality that is underneath.

“Ninety percent of an iceberg is underwater.  It is that unseen foundation that allows it to destroy anything that comes against it.”

Esther 10:3 4/7/2026

“Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.”

Many of us have heard sermons on Esther including the famous line “for such a time as this”, but most lessons focus on Esther being told that, instead of Mordecai who said it. 

Early in this book Mordecai is introduced as having adopted Esther because she had neither father nor mother. That little tidbit tells us that Mordecai was a good man, even before people were watching. He did the right thing. Taking care of widows and orphans is true religion and it identifies him as a follower of God. Long before God made Esther queen, He made Mordecai faithful.  

Mordecai started out as an ordinary guy sitting by the city gate; but this verse indicates that later he was elevated to the number two man in the kingdom and loved and admired by the people. However, that was never his target. That happened because God blessed his obedience. There was no strategy for advancement, no campaign, just a man with a heart that followed God. He took care of those who couldn’t take care of themselves.  He worked for the good of his people and had their backs when things got tough. Whether he was sitting unnoticed at the city gate, or the number 2 man in the kingdom, he was the same man, and he loved and valued others. 

You may be in a chapter of life where you feel obscure and unnoticed, daily doing the mundane deeds God requires of you, … or maybe, like Mordecai in this verse, the crowd is cheering your accomplishments… Either way, your heart is what matters… Are you protecting it?  Because what is inside, will come out. 

So, today, whether God places you in a position of influence, or calls you to serve in anonymity… live with integrity and a servant’s heart… Stay ready to be used… Because in your life, just like in this story, Esther may not be the only one being prepared for “such a time as this”. 

“Godliness isn’t something we manufacture. It’s something The Spirit grows inside of us and then it overflows into our words, choices, and actions.”  - anonymous