When a heart, Divine or otherwise, sets down a boundary and establishes the law, regardless of whether or not that law can or will be enforced, it will illicit one of two responses from those to whom the law applies. A child will be struck by the obligation of the law, whereas an adult will see the law as an opportunity to love. Continue reading

With God, there is no risk, only guarantee. Jesus was not a risk taker, but an investor. He didn’t teach people how to take risks or live the life of risk, but taught people how to count the cost of obedience and invest in guaranteed rewards. Why then do we speak of risk and faith in the same breath? Why do we say risk when we mean guarantee? Why would we ever tempt God by the expression of our faith? It’s time to take a second look at some of the phrases we throw around and conform them to the revealed will of God. Continue reading

Being without work takes an emotional toll, both on us personally and on our family. Sometimes no amount of effort can overcome one’s problems. The solution is not a matter of simply putting in more effort or “doing better.” There is something we are called to do, and if we are unaware of it, we will suffer the futility of our flesh until we grasp it. This solution removes our emotional burden, generates respect and security in those we are providing for, and gives us hope and confidence for the future. And of course, it lays an important foundation for our relationship with God. But it doesn’t come without change, and that is the catch. Obedience is never without cost in a cursed world, and cost is often what dissuades us from pressing towards God’s promises. Continue reading

Are New Testament believers allowed to eat meat that was classified as “unclean” under the Old Testament? In this study we look at the purpose and significance of the terms “clean” and “unclean” and find out not only why they were introduced, but how they apply to us today. Continue reading