No Harm?

Psalm 91 talks about living under God’s protection.  It details various dangers the believer will be kept from.  In sum, “Because you have made the LORD—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place, no harm will come to you” (Psalm 91:9-10). Similar sentiments are expressed in other verses.  Some take these verses at face value: if…

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Dead in the Water

Not long ago, I was going about my day when a bit of pride strutted through my soul. I can’t even remember what it was about. But my reaction was, Ugh. Every thought of my mind is only evil all the time! I realized I was paraphrasing Genesis 6:5, where God is grieved he made mankind because…

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The Stranger Inside

Because there was famine in Canaan, Jacob sent 10 of his sons to Egypt, where he heard there was grain for sale (Gen. 42:2-3).  When Jacob’s sons came before Joseph, he recognized them, but they didn’t recognize him (Gen. 42:7-8). We have seen how Joseph’s life foreshadows Christ’s death and resurrection.  Joseph’s brothers hated him…

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Patrick of Ireland—Frank Johnson

This post is by Frank Johnson, a friend and Pastor at Chestnut Street Baptist Church. I thought I would share it in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. *** Imagine: You are 16 and walking along the beach with your family. You see about 50 longboats sailing toward shore. Fierce soldiers get out of the boats…

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Despising the Lamb

The following article appeared in our local paper last weekend. It is adapted from my booklet, Despising the Lamb: Contempt for Christ in First Samuel. *** Hophni and Phineas were priests in Old Testament times (1 Sam. 1:3). The Bible says Hophni and Phineas were wicked men (1 Sam. 2:12). Why? When someone brought a…

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Focus

”Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God“ (2 John 9). Notice John does not say, “Anyone who doesn’t believe in a literal seven day creation does not have God.” He does not say, “Anyone who doesn’t believe in post-millenial eschatology does not have God.” (And…

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Jesus Our Drug Lord…?

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING CONTENT MAY CONTAIN SNARKINESS Recently, I read a couple things about obeying God.  Both were clear obedience was not required for salvation.  So far, so good.  But the writings didn’t stop there: God provides for us and blesses us only if we obey; if we don’t obey, we won’t grow in holiness….

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Fair and Balanced

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). I don’t know how many times the chill of impossibility has traveled up my spine as I’ve read this verse.  PERFECT.  BE PERFECT.  No way, Jose.  (Or in this case, Haysoos).   While I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read this verse with…

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Life out of Death

Joseph embodies the key reality of spirituality: life out of death.  God is a God of life out of death.  This is His way.  Everything He does or creates expresses it.  If we would truly know the Lord, our experience will be marked by life out of death. Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit…

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Not My Own

I have been meditating lately on verses that say I am not my own; I belong to Jesus, body and soul.  One example is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20–“You are not your own, for you were bought at a price.” This particular verse addresses sexuality. Christians do not have the right use their bodies in any way…

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