Equipping Believers for our Lord

Skeptic to Believer (Part 1)

by | From the Farm

My conversion to faith came like a lightning bolt from the sky—well, sort of. My heart resonates when I read the story of the apostle Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus (as told in the Bible in Acts 9). Granted, no visible light burst out and blinded me, and I...

Friend of Sinners Matthew 26:49-50

by | Worship 52 Devos

49Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. The betrayer’s kiss, the ultimate form of treachery. Jesus was not...

Keeping in Step With the Spirit

by | IMHO Blog

A fun thing to do as a child living in the north, where snow blankets the winter experience, was stepping into my father’s footprints in the snow. His stride, of course, was much longer than mine, but I would stretch to reach the next indent in the snow, trying not to...

Beth’s Testimony

by | From the Farm

As a young girl, she did all that was expected of her from the church. Baptized as an infant, she received her first communion in a little white dress with white gloves and shiny patent-leather shoes; she faithfully went to confession and attended church faithfully...

A Song of Love Psalm 45

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1 My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2 You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever. This psalm is a love song, as the inscription...

Three-Time Wince Matthew 26:39

by | Worship 52 Devos

39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will”… 42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away...

Salvation as a Back-Pocket Truth?

by | IMHO Blog

Salvation is a back-pocket issue, I was once told by a mainline denominational pastor. Once we believe that Christ’s death is the foundation on which our faith rests, we should merely try to live like Jesus lived as we read in the gospel accounts. I was less than a...

Mom’s Passing

by | From the Farm

Now that Dad was gone, what about my mother? Her Alzheimer’s had progressed to the point where she could not live alone in the Babbit, Minnesota home. At seventy years old, she was otherwise healthy. We were able to move her to an assisted living facility in St. Paul,...

Sleepers and Betrayer Matthew 26:38-46

by | Worship 52 Devos

38Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me”… 40And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching and...

Dumb Thing with Smart Phone

by | IMHO Blog

A while ago, my wife’s smart phone was old and outdated; it was ready for the electronics graveyard. Online sites for selling or trading it in would not give us much for it, so since it was a busy time of the year, I decided to simply wipe the data off it and throw it...

Dad’s Passing (Part 3)

by | From the Farm

We kept it a secret, but could only keep it under wraps for so long. We adult children had suspicions but dared not bring them up among ourselves or even with him. But our mother’s memory was slipping, and Dad couldn’t bring himself to acknowledge that. By the time it...

Prayer for Vindication Psalm 43

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! … 4I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God. Who of us hasn’t suffered from false...

Unworthy to Worship Matthew 26:75

by | Worship 52 Devos

75And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Today’s upbeat “worship” services are a refreshing change from the dry, staid, straight-backed hard pew settings of years...

Fellow Seventy-Somethings

by | IMHO Blog

We took our travel trailer out for a short trip the other day, and one of the two 20-pound propane tanks ran out of gas. Disconnecting the empty and tossing it up into my truck, I headed to the filling station. Impatient as I am and always angling for efficiency, I...

Dad’s Passing (Part 2)

by | From the Farm

During our Christmas visit with my parents in Florida, we had a very cordial, even warm time, this coming after seven years of a strained relationship since my spiritual conversion. The year was 1979. After much prayer and God’s supplying the airfare, we arrived in...

Thirsting for God Psalm 42

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. 2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God? There are spiritually dry seasons of life when doubt vies with faith in controlling one’s emotions. This...

Timelessly Forgiving Matthew 26:75

by | Worship 52 Devos

75And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. God can look beyond our failures to see what we will become. Otherwise, we would all be hopelessly disqualified from...

Where Is God in a Hurricane?

by | IMHO Blog

How do we make sense out of a disaster of epic proportions, like the recent hurricane in the Caribbean and Florida? Loss of life is the most tragic, representing years of life with purpose and meaning, love and relationships, experiences and celebrations—all gone with...

Dad’s Passing (Part 1)

by | From the Farm

The fun stories from the farm give way to, of all things, death. Ironically, the termination of life integrates directly into life itself. We are all affected by it. One generation comes, and another goes (Ecc. 1:4). Yet, however macabre that sounds, there is a...

Calling to the Helper Psalm 41

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble. 2The Lord will protect him and keep him alive, and he shall be called blessed upon the earth; and do not give him over to the desire of his enemies. 3The Lord will sustain...

His Faithfulness Matthew 26:33-35

by | Worship 52 Devos

33But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You,...

’Tava in a Starring Role

by | From the Farm

Gustava (1895-1982, married 1917), my grandmother, beloved wife to Jack Sr., nicknamed ’Tava by some family members, was of Finnish blood, with a smattering of Swedish. Her parents immigrated to the US, where the patriarch of the family, Samuel Gustafson, apparently...

Patience in Trials Psalm 40

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry … 17Since I am afflicted and needy, let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God. Patience and suffering go together in the believer’s life; we often go...

Preparation by Failure Matthew 26:31-32

by | Worship 52 Devos

31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ 32But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” Why would Jesus...

Three Wooden Crosses

by | IMHO Blog

While I’m generally not a country and western music aficionado, this song brought me to tears as I was randomly listening to someone’s playlist. And every time I hear it, I praise God for His grace and mercy for the gospel that changes lives, including mine. A farmer...

She Said “Yes” and Then “No”

by | From the Farm

She said yes, then she said no. Any other time I would have written a person off for being flighty and unreliable. But this time, when I discovered the cause of her indecision, I became excited that she had turned me down. I had been sorely disappointed the previous...

Hope for the Future Psalm 39

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

 2I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, and my sorrow grew worse … 7”And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You … 13Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again before I depart and am no more. This psalm reflects an individual lament, but...

This Is My Blood Matthew 26:27-29

by | Worship 52 Devos

27And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from...

Is Following Jesus’ Commands Legalistic?

by | IMHO Blog

As believers, we absolutely must hold to the truth of the Word of God unwaveringly, unflinchingly, and unashamedly. After all, 2 Timothy 3:16 conveys the centrality of the Word of God for life and godliness. If you don’t know that verse, you should. The Word of God is...

Passing of a Generation

by | From the Farm

Declining years took their toll. But, as the saying goes, “It’s hard to keep a good man down.” In his early seventies (or was it eighties?), he had a heart attack that landed him in the hospital. Upon his release, the doctor ordered him to slow down and not work so...

This Is My Body Matthew 26:26

by | Worship 52 Devos

26While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” What a strange thing to say and a frequently misunderstood comment. Christian history shows divergent...

Puritans and Prayer

by | IMHO Blog

As I write this, I am asking the Lord to give words, things to say that will somehow bring a blessing, a challenge, an insight, or simply a word of encouragement. A friend recently told me of a book about prayer that has challenged him: Communion with God, by John...

The Big Five-Oh

by | From the Farm

Fifty years. That’s 5-0. A half-century ago, 1972. Forgiven, saved, redeemed, regenerated, baptized in the Spirit, restored, raised to newness of life, transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the realm of light, converted from being an enemy of God to being...

Best Way to Remember Him Luke 22:14-15

by | Worship 52 Devos

14 When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer … Leonardo da Vinci painted his famous depiction of the Last Supper (1496-1498) during the...

Redaction – Why It Matters to Me

by | IMHO Blog

We can’t live without it. Redaction has always been part of our lives, but most of us never knew there was a word for it. Now it has become mainstream terminology in political discourse, with the confiscation of alleged classified material from the former U.S....

Passing of a Generation

by | From the Farm

The telegram was jammed into the letter slot in the front door of the old house we lived in for the summer on my first internship in Canada. Grandma’s funeral notice from my dad went unnoticed for two weeks because the mail slot was rusted shut on the inside. We...

Delight in the Lord Psalm 37

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers. 2For they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb. 3Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will...

Glory Despite Evil Matthew 26:20-25

by | Worship 52 Devos

21As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. 24The...

Beloved Broken Tradition

by | IMHO Blog

My watch is fifty-four years old. It repeatedly stops throughout the day, and when I wear it, I have to always double-check it against my smartphone. After resetting the time and giving it a good shake, my Seiko starts up again—for a bit, and then stops. Those stops...

The Spry Old Lady

by | From the Farm

Mary M. Mantel (January 31, 1894 – November 5, 1979) was a wiry character. In her eighties, she looked every bit like a woman you see in old-time, formally posed, black and white photographs, where everyone looks stern, taken when a puff of smoke accompanied...

Of Humility and Glory Psalm 36

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes … 10O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and your righteousness to the upright in heart. 11Let not the foot of pride come upon me, and let not the hand of...

Predetermined Crucifixion Matthew 26:18

by | Worship 52 Devos

18And [Jesus] said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” Jesus, on the last night before His execution, was in full control of His life, even to the...

Alternative to Swearing

by | IMHO Blog

Instinctively and through general Christian understanding, we know (or at least sense) that swearing is not a good thing to do. Finding substitute words that sound similar just sidesteps the problem. For example, replacing “By God” with “By gosh” or using “darn” in...

“By the Gods and Little Fishes”

by | From the Farm

Grandpa never swore, at least not in any way that I could understand to be swearing. My dad, in contrast, would occasionally burst out with an Italian-sounding phrase and then chuckle at his attempt at conveying an air of sophistication. Despite my suspicion that he...

Sacrifice of Worship Matthew 26:10-13

by | Worship 52 Devos

10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. 11For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial....

Swearing Is “Legal,” But …

by | IMHO Blog

If we live under grace and not under law, then is it OK to swear? A case can be made for not using phrases that convey disrespect for God by combining the term with other clearly understood swear words; it should go without saying that those things should be out of...

Grandpa Exposed

by | From the Farm

Well, well, well, family secrets will come out sooner or later—in this case, about eighty years later! Are there no secrets anymore? No, there were no murders in my family tree, no spy stories where a family member lived a double life. I am sure there are some juicy...

God’s Foreknowledge Matthew 26:2

by | Worship 52 Devos

2“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.” Jesus was not caught off guard by His crucifixion, despite the arrest, trial, and execution that was soon to take place. He had been predicting His...

Oh My God!

by | IMHO Blog

The term “god” has become commonplace in contemporary conversation, showing up in various forms: “My god …” or  “Oh my god” as a phrase to express excitement Some feel it shows disrespect to God to use His name in such a common, superficial way. Some say it has...

Miracle Mortgage

by | From the Farm

“Impossible! You’ll never get a loan to buy a house.” No provable job history, no current employment, no guaranteed income—in other words, no basis for anyone lending us money. My wife and I had been homeowners for twenty years and had a work history of eleven...

Intelligent Worship Romans 12:1-2

by | Worship 52 Devos

1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that...

Christian Identity Politics

by | IMHO Blog

Christians continue to get easily caught up in the foray of political dissent. Frustration and angst over politics have moved beyond civil discourse, even eclipsing gripes and complaints, and land, in many cases, in despondency. Moral upheaval continues unabated. The...

Taming the Obstinate

by | From the Farm

He could be obstinate at times. That’s not surprising, considering Jac was born with a canoe paddle in his hand, took over the patriarch duties at a young age after his father’s untimely death, put younger siblings through college, worked for the city works department...

Song of Forgiveness Psalm 32

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! 2How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! … 11Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who...

I Commit My Spirit Luke 23:46

by | Worship 52 Devos

46And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. The last of the seven “words” or statements Jesus said on the cross brought His life mission to a conclusion. The first six are: “My...

Lazy Interpretations

by | IMHO Blog

Blasé (bland or lazy) interpretation of the Bible abounds today, at least in some circles. Of course, when you make a statement like that, you invite the opposing argument that there are too many opinionated, uninformed, adamant, argumentative interpretations...

Farm Bugs and the Glory of God

by | From the Farm

Farms have bugs, insects of all kinds. My grandparents’ farm was no exception. My memory is not of cows swatting away incessant flies with their tails, mercilessly tormented by the constant buzzing, especially around their eyes beyond the reach of said tails. But I...

It Is Finished John 19:30a

by | Worship 52 Devos

28After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished … 30aTherefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Tetelestai”—that is the Greek word for “It is finished” (vs. 30)....

The Myth of Judging

by | IMHO Blog

Are we judging unbelievers when we warn them of God’s judgment on their sin? Now, that is a loaded question. We immediately picture the placard-waving zealots at sporting events or on street corners shouting out with bold diatribes, “Repent, you sinners!” Or we think...

The Old Icebox

by | From the Farm

There it stood in the upper reaches of the barn. With brass hinges and ornate handles, the solid oak icebox harkened back to the old days before the dawn of electric refrigerators in America (ca. 1927). This aged beauty cooled food probably from the late 1800s and...

Behold Your Son John 19:26-27

by | Worship 52 Devos

26When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. In His final moments...

The Myth of Jesus

by | IMHO Blog

New preachers have arisen in the Bible-believing world, which is an encouraging sign, for until our Lord returns, the task is never over for preaching the Word of God. Many, praise God, take the apostle Paul’s teaching to Timothy as inviolable and foundational to...

Brisson’s on Shagawa

by | From the Farm

At Brisson’s Lodge, we kids had to be on our best behavior; great-aunt Katharine Brisson was a very particular person with stringent behavior expectations. She was the second youngest of my Grandpa’s siblings, who with her husband Lawrence owned and operated Brisson’s...

Ascription of Praise Psalm 29

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in holy array … 11The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. Hebrew is a...

I Am Thirsty John 19:28

by | Worship 52 Devos

28… Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” The Son of God, deity in the flesh, was thirsty! How can that be? The psalm to which Jesus alluded when He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you...

Band of Brothers by Any Other Name

by | IMHO Blog

It is no secret that, at least in the western world, more women than men follow the Lord closely. Our sisters in the Lord make the time to gather for prayer, Bible study, and fellowship more easily and readily than our brothers in Christ. Sociologists are better...

My Dad Could Run!

by | From the Farm

Once I raced my dad, fully expecting to leave him in the dust. I was a fleet-of-foot, pre-teen boy—used to running, jumping, and climbing—who was just emerging into adolescence with all the hormonal changes, self-centeredness, and overconfidence that come with it. I...

Today In Paradise Luke 23:42-43

by | Worship 52 Devos

42And he [thief on the cross] was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” We have the privilege of being an audience to one of the most intimate moments of...

Yup, It’s a Good Day, Lord

by | IMHO Blog

My granddaughter recently finished her bedtime prayer, “Oh, and Jesus, please say hi to great-grandma for me.” Simple, genuine, sweet, but more importantly, precious to God. I think of what our Lord taught: “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like...

The Purple Heart

by | From the Farm

My father, Jack Jr., was an outdoorsman, at least in his early years. He was born in 1918, five years after the death of his grandfather, Giovanni, an immigrant from Italy. His primary male influence was his father, Jack Sr., and he grew up hunting, fishing, and...

One Thing I Ask For Psalm 27

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

 1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? … 4One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of...

Forgive Them Luke 23:34a

by | Worship 52 Devos

23aBut Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Whereas earlier, Jesus called out, “My God, my God …” (Matt 27:46), here He calls out to His “Father.” He is the forsaken, but He is also the Son. What a strange combination!...

Spotting an Abusive Man

by | IMHO Blog

The worldliness of the world has crept into the Christian community. It has happened slowly over time, like the frog in the kettle story. I could be talking about many different things (all of which need our attention), but I want to focus attention on one specific...

The Farm and Faith 2

by | From the Farm

Grandma’s Lutheranism seems to have run throughout her life, even to the hymnbook she kept. Gustava’s genuine faith was evidenced in her love for reading from the “Daily Bread” devotional. Her response to my testimony of coming to faith in Jesus Christ was met by her...

Prayer for Vindication Psalm 26

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. As in all the lament psalms, the outward need is laid out, but here, David focuses on his inward...

Why Forsaken? Matthew 27:46

by | Worship 52 Devos

46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The seven last statements of Christ on the cross (typically called the “seven last words”) give us a glimpse into His...

Staring Down Shame

by | IMHO Blog

Jesus stared down the shame. That is a powerful encouragement for all today who are plagued with shame. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines shame as “a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety.” The Free Dictionary defines it as...

The Farm and Faith

by | From the Farm

Grandpa (Jack) grew up Roman Catholic, being a good Italian. His father, Giovanni, left the old country, ostensibly, as Gramps told me, to avoid the pressure to become a priest. We have no indication of how faithful Giovanni was to that denomination or even to God,...

Despising the Shame Hebrews 12:2

by | Worship 52 Devos

2[Fix] our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. The more we learn about the price Jesus paid for our salvation, the better we...

Overcoming the Embrace of the Absurd

by | IMHO Blog

Our times are crazy, as you’ll agree if you have been following the news. Just recently, an “expert” witness was testifying before a congressional committee and refused to give a definition of a woman. In the mindset of those who embrace the idea that people can...

The Barn

by | From the Farm

What’s a farm without a barn? I want to give a short descriptive tour, which may be boring for some, but not for me. I remember every inch of this fascinating building; it should be listed in the National Registry of Historic Places—at least in my humble opinion....

The King of Glory Psalm 24

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it … 3Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? … 10Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. This ode of praise...

The “Look” Luke 22:61-62

by | Worship 52 Devos

61The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62And he went out and wept bitterly. Artists throughout history have imagined Jesus’ appearance on...

Not Just Kids’ Stuff

by | IMHO Blog

Some truths never get old. Of course, all biblical truth falls in line with this assessment; however, Scripture we learned as young Christians should not be tucked away in our back pockets or relegated to the attic with our memorabilia and no-longer-used furniture. I...

Blueberries and Potica

by | From the Farm

Summertime in northern Minnesota brought out a great harvest of blueberries, and they are part of what defines me as a person. Possibly that sounds like hyperbole but their taste is woven into the fabric of my psyche. To this day, I cannot eat even one without at...

The Lord Is My Shepherd Psalm 23

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want … 6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. One of the most well-known passages of Scripture, this psalm has brought comfort to Christians...

Sweat Like Blood Luke 22:44

by | Worship 52 Devos

44b…and being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. We naturally worship God when contemplating His outward manifestation of majesty or when He performs incredible miracles for us, like healing....

Pro-Life – A Biblical View

by | IMHO Blog

We don’t need to be high-IQ scientists to know that life begins in the womb. The Bible is clear about this. Among many passages, Psalm 139 stands out: 13For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully...

Death of an Eagle

by | From the Farm

There it was in a full, glorious black-and-white photo: a man standing on a straight-backed wooden chair, holding the wingtips of a bald eagle with its body hanging below, just off the ground. Have you ever seen a picture like that? I have, and the man in the photo...

Forsaken and Saved Psalm 22

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning … 21Save me from the lion’s mouth; from the horns of the wild oxen You answer me. 22I will tell of Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You....

Agonizing Over Me Luke 22:44

by | Worship 52 Devos

44And being in agony He was praying very fervently … Why meditate on verses like this, the pre-cross suffering of Christ? It may seem morbid to some, but when we truly understand what is going on, it should lead us to joyful worship. Only here in Gethsemene do we see...

Keeping It Short!

by | IMHO Blog

I’ll keep this short: [B]e warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. (Eccl. 12:12–13)...

Schaller Bay 2

by | From the Farm

The one downside to my grandparents’ farm was that it was not on a lake. But no matter. A half-hour ride around the Shagawa Lake (on which Ely was situated) up and around the end of Burntside Lake to the north side solved the problem. The road down to the waterfront...

Answers Breed Confidence Psalm 21

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1O Lord, in Your strength the king will be glad, and in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice! 2You have given him his heart’s desire, and You have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. This psalm closely aligns with the previous one, Psalm 20. Whereas the...

Becoming Troubled John 12:27

by | Worship 52 Devos

27 “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” What was the emotional experience Jesus had, and what caused this reaction in Him? The lexical definition of the word “troubled,”...

Not by Chance

by | IMHO Blog

The following was sent to my family by our good friend, Jim Mayer. He pulled these truths from a book titled Not by Chance: Learning to Trust a Sovereign God by Layton Talbert and share them with my family during one of our most difficult experiences of life....

Schaller Bay 1

by | From the Farm

No trip to Grandpa and Grandma’s farm would be complete without visiting Schaller Bay on Burnside Lake, just north of Ely. Mike and Gertrude Schaller owned the entire bay, bought from U.S. Steel after World War II in the late 1940s. The property included maybe a...

Becoming Human John 12:27

by | Worship 52 Devos

27” Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” So much of Jesus’ emotional state as He approached the cross forces us to ponder the incarnation, namely what it means to be fully...

Faith Identifier

by | IMHO Blog

A common way of describing a believer in Jesus Christ today is to say, “He loves Jesus.” But what does that mean? I remember hearing the respected and popular theologian, teacher, and writer R.C. Sproul relating a story about being confronted by a young person doing...

The Wood Detail

by | From the Farm

My grandparents’ farm was not all fun and games. Gramps put us to work. One of our jobs as kids was to serve on the wood detail, as he called it. There was no electric heat (that I knew of, but of course, we only visited in the summertime). The wood stoves in the...

Nature and Torah Psalm 19

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

 1The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands … 7The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. This psalm could actually be two standalone...

How Great Is His Love Matt. 26:39

by | Worship 52 Devos

39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” What could possibly prompt the incarnate Lord Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, the second person...

Rethinking Church Styles

by | IMHO Blog

“I’ve come that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Should Christians have to settle for boring church services? Of course not. But should we pump people up like a politician working a crowd, or like a motivational speaker trying to improve the...

Great Aunt Charlotte’s Parlor

by | From the Farm

She was an old spinster, Great Aunt Charlotte, but she became a profound illustration of life in many churches. Born in 1889 in Ely, Minnesota, one of the three older sisters of my grandfather, Jack, Sr., she lived to the ripe old age of ninety-three. Mathilda was her...

Blessed Be My Rock Psalm 18

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1“I love You, O Lord, my strength.” 2The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my...

Grief for Us Matt. 26:38

by | Worship 52 Devos

38Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” Heart-wrenching to the core, in these words we can hear Jesus’ groan as He was facing the judgment due to the entire human race. He felt like He would die...

Is Red Letter Better?

by | IMHO Blog

Do the teachings of Jesus carry more authority than the teachings of the apostle Paul or other NT writers? (In some Bibles, the words of Jesus are printed in red so that they stand out and are often called “red-letter Bibles.”) The answer would seem obvious, for Jesus...

Old Highway 1

by | From the Farm

Excitement crescendoed at the first sighting of the farm. Rounding the last bend along the rolling road, we cut through the familiar pine and white-barked birch common to northern Minnesota. The two-hour jaunt up from Duluth, a shipping harbor on the western tip of...

Hope for the Innocent Psalm 17

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1Hear a just cause, O Lord, give heed to my cry; Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips. 2Let my judgment come forth from Your presence; let Your eyes look with equity. What is a godly response when we incur unjust suffering or conflict? How can we...

Thirsty Worship Psalm 42:1-2

by | Worship 52 Devos

1As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. 2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God? The believer’s heart, soul, and spirit longs for God. Our Creator made us for worship, and when He seems...

Rethinking Our Viewing Standards

by | IMHO Blog

We wrote about the hypocrisy in Hollywood; what about hypocrisy in us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ? Are we part of the masses who encourage filmmakers in their portrayal of violence, sex, and various distorted worldviews? I can hear the groans: “Here comes...

The Old Studebaker

by | From the Farm

Our annual trek up to the farm one year (way back in the mid-1950s) broke virtually every one of today’s vehicle safety standards. The family car was a Studebaker, a product of a family-owned business that began in the eighteenth century, building wagons and...

Lament and Praise Psalm 16

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. 2I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.” While this psalm begins with a lament, the tone quickly turns positive, even to praise. In his need for help, David’s knowledge of and heart for God...

Jesus, the Living Narrative Matt. 4:10

by | Worship 52 Devos

9 “All these things I will give to You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” Jesus is the Word of God, the living narrative of the truth. Satan tried to...

Hypocritic Hollywood

by | IMHO Blog

The Oscar awards show, that self-hagiographical showcase for the Hollywood film industry, was embarrassingly marred in 2022. The violence displayed on the stage was a live enactment of what Hollywood glorifies in its highly lucrative blockbuster films, yet it...

Buck Up!

by | From the Farm

In his own words, Jack Gianotti (Sr.) was an uncontrollable ruffian as a boy. Fortunately, he left us an essay about the summer that changed the course of his life, when he lived with a man named Jack Connor on an island in the BWCA. “Tamed” might be too strong a word...

Jesus is God 2 Peter 1:1

by | Worship 52 Devos

1Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Nothing is more central to our Christian faith than the belief that Jesus is God; we see...

A Life Well-Lived

by | IMHO Blog

Hers was a life well-lived. Joan McIntee was born in 1933, born-again in 1942, and slipped into glory March 8, 2022, aged eighty-nine. Her lifelong desire, to quote the apostle Paul, was that “Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or...

“Don’t Start About Jesus”

by | From the Farm

Gustava Gianotti lived an interesting life. She was born on November 17, 1895, four years after Jack. Her family home was shared by younger siblings Rudy (who died in his early twenties of tuberculosis), Lil, and Lydia. She grew quickly, having been, at age twelve,...

My Lord and My God John 20:28-29

by | Worship 52 Devos

28Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” Worship is learned by example as well as by teaching. One model of worship can be seen in...

Healing or More Than That?

by | IMHO Blog

In our men’s fellowship and Bible study recently, I made a statement that I am having second thoughts about. In Mark 5, we read about a woman with a severe menstrual issue lasting twelve years sneaking up through the crowd to touch the edge of Jesus’ cloak (the outer...

My Bus on the Back Forty

by | From the Farm

Everyone knew it was my bus. Grandpa made that clear; that was his promise, and it was the first thing I looked for when we arrived at the farm every summer. What kid my age (or any age for that matter) was the proud owner of his own school bus? Grandpa made lots of...

When God Delays Psalm 13

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

5But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. “How long, O Lord?” That is how this psalm begins, though it ends with a faithful expression of trust and...

God Is Greater Than … Heb. 1:4

by | Worship 52 Devos

4… having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. When we say that Jesus, the Son of God, is incomparable and in a completely different category of existence, we must clarify this. Properly speaking, we cannot...

Judging By Covers

by | IMHO Blog

How easily and wrongly do we judge a book by its cover, that is, judge people by their looks, clothes, facial expressions, color of skin, or ethnicity? Suppose you saw Aristotle, the celebrated philosopher from antiquity. How would you judge him if you didn’t know...

Free Under-Car Cleaning

by | From the Farm

Many were the benefits of living on a farm back in the day, some not so evident to the untrained eye or thoughtless mind. In our spoiled, modern times, many people take their vehicles to the automatic car wash places, where you can get an underbody wash for an extra...

God Is Other Than … Heb. 1:4

by | Worship 52 Devos

4… having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. Jesus was better than the angels—so begins a series of comparisons between Jesus Christ and angelic beings, Moses the Law-giver, Jewish high priests, and the entire...

High or Low Capacity?

by | IMHO Blog

The answer is, “It all depends.” If I compare myself with Dr. Ben Carson, I am an extremely low-capacity! Raised by a single mother from the time he was eight, at the age of thirty-three he became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the United States, at...

Gustava’s Mischievous Smile

by | From the Farm

My grandmother was a remarkable girl. One of my favorite pictures shows her as a cute, coy teenager standing in her gymnasium outfit, hair bobbed, holding on to a basketball, with the date 1908 and the letters EHS (Ely High School). She would have been in her early-...

Defending Against Taunts Psalm 11

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men … For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face. (Ps. 11:4, 7) The Bible is all about God, first and primarily. This...

Right Hand of Majesty Heb. 1:3

by | Worship 52 Devos

3And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. In this description of Christ, we see Him in...

You Go, Preacher-Man IMHO Blog

by | IMHO Blog

The preacher at church speaks very bluntly. His sermon series title is “Mind Games,” and he tells the congregation flat out that he will be dealing with uncomfortable things that shock some church people. His teaching builds on the widely known trilogy that wars...

Jack and Junior

by | From the Farm

Jack Sr. was a man about town—but not in the worldly sense. Everyone knew Jack. His parents raised him there in Ely, and he married a hometown girl. They didn’t fit the mold in the least. As a boy, Jack was a ruffian, an outdoorsman of the original sort, born with a...

Against the Deceivers Psalm 10

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

12Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted. This psalm of lament begins with a question for God, “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?” Who among us hasn’t reverberated with a similar cry of the heart? Where is God when we need Him? Why...

Purifier of Sins Heb. 1:3

by | Worship 52 Devos

3And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The phrase “He made purification of sins”...

Who Decides Interpretation?

by | IMHO Blog

As I am writing this, the Supreme Court of the United States needs to replace one of its nine justices, and the news cycle is now focusing on whom the president will nominate as a replacement. Liberal and conservative pundits are warning of democracy’s impending...

Semaphore & Milk Jugs

by | From the Farm

Semaphore commands a place in history as the oldest form of long distance communication. Technically it refers to any device that passes along a signal received: smoke signals, mirrors reflecting sunlight, flags waved in certain patterns, and, in the case of my...

Lament and Trust Psalm 9

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

10And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. “I will give … I will tell … I will be glad … I will sing …” David is a man of determination and action. For him, the spiritual life is not passive...

Jesus the Powerful Word Heb. 1:3

by | Worship 52 Devos

3And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Our Lord Jesus Christ “upholds all things by...

Talk About Weather?

by | IMHO Blog

Weather affects our moods differently at different times of the year. But one thing remains the same: we all talk about the weather, whether we like the weather or don’t like the weather (and whether you find the repetition of homonyms interesting or dull or even if...

Dark Family Secret No. 2

by | From the Farm

Giovanni Gianotti, my great-grandfather, left Italy as a young man. Since he would have been twenty-nine years old when his first child was born (Tracy on January 9, 1888), he was probably in his early or mid-twenties when he arrived in northern Minnesota (possibly...

His Majestic Name Psalm 8

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! 2From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength because of Your adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease....

Exact Representation Heb. 1:3

by | Worship 52 Devos

3And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, We learn about God’s nature in a general way...

Real Estate Out of this World

by | IMHO Blog

Housing prices have gone up astronomically in this last year. Where I live, valuations have gone up from 17 percent to upwards of 30 percent in one year. Since we just recently moved across the U.S. to be closer to family, my wife and I went to an open house on the...

Dark Family Secret No. 1

by | From the Farm

Giovanni and Elizabeth Gianotti emerge in the earliest record of this family’s historical brood. Giovanni was born December 31, 1859, in Turin, Italy, in the northwestern part of the country. Turin claims fame, among other accolades, as home of the famous Shroud of...

Radiance of God’s Glory Heb. 1:3

by | Worship 52 Devos

3And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high … (Heb. 1:3) Jesus Christ, as God’s Son, is...

Educational Hot-Potato

by | IMHO Blog

A hot item in the news lately is the topic of who is ultimately responsible for public education. The U.S. has a checkered and inconsistent history on this matter, going back to revolutionary times. The founding fathers felt that for democracy to work well, the...

Rocking It in Their 70s

by | From the Farm

They were in their 70s, Grandma and Grandpa, and canoe tripping. Both were born with paddles in their hands. And they came by their love for wilderness adventures from living in the Mesabi Iron Range of northern Minnesota, on the edge of the BWCA (Boundary Waters...

Trust Over the Long Haul Psalm 6

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

1O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your wrath. 2Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am pining away; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed. 3And my soul is greatly dismayed; but You, O Lord—how long? This psalm is a heart-wrenching view into...

Jesus, Creator God Heb. 1:1-2

by | Worship 52 Devos

1God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. Is Jesus Christ the Creator of the world? Wait a...

Lessons from the NFL

by | IMHO Blog

We are coming down to the wire, building up to the NFL playoffs. The entire season is built around making a spot in the post-season one-and-done tournament to determine the best team in the league. A few observations might prove interesting, even to those who are not...

Man With a Crooked Smile

by | From the Farm

Grandpa Gianotti (Jack Sr. as opposed to Jack Jr., my dad) had a crooked smile and a droopy eye that he was constantly dabbing dry with his handkerchief. It seemed normal to me, but that was all I knew him to look like. That was Grandpa. Those features were like a...

Sheltering Protection Psalm 5

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my groaning. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray. (Psalm 5:1–2) Conflict is a universal problem we all experience. Leaders, even good ones, stand in the firing line of people’s complaints,...

It’s All His—and Ours Hebrews 1:1-2

by | Worship 52 Devos

1God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. I received a registered letter years ago from an...

My Nose Doesn’t Work

by | IMHO Blog

My grandson tested positive for COVID recently. He’s two-and-a-half years old. He doesn’t understand the coronavirus pandemic that has swept over the entire world, nor the intricacies of what a virus is, or the definition of a vaccine, booster shot, or the word...

My First Smoke

by | From the Farm

I was about 13 or 14 years old when I had my first smoke. My dad, who was a smoker most of his life, had inadvertently dropped a pack of cigs one day in the rec room of our modest bungalow in Blacksburg, Virginia. I think Mom was also a smoker at that time, but not as...

Trust Overcoming Lament Psalm 4

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. (Ps 4:8) This psalm can be seen as a lament because of David’s need for relief from his distress and his need for God’s grace (vs. 1), the complaint about those who dishonor...

Mic Drop Hebrews 1:1-2

by | Worship 52 Devos

1God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. God has spoken—mic drop! His final word is Jesus...

The Plague

by | IMHO Blog

COVID-19, coronavirus, Delta, Omicron—all words that have entered the common language. To some they are terrifying; to others, political footballs. As you read this, you have opinions, maybe fears; perhaps you’ve lost loved ones, are still suffering the effects...

Missing Middle Finger

by | From the Farm

Besides a droopy eye and crooked smile, my grandpa Jack Gianotti, Sr, had another distinguishing characteristic. He was missing part of his middle finger, down to the second knuckle. Memory fails to recall which hand, but I guess it makes little difference since he...

Daily Song of Trust Psalm 3

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. Psalm 3:3 This is the first of what we call lament psalms. While some laments are communal, expressing to God Israel’s concerns and emotions, Psalm 3 is an individual lament that conveys...

Worship in Spirit & Truth John 4:24

by | Worship 52 Devos

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) Worship is a word that has different shades of meaning and is somewhat nuanced. Young people worship rock stars—we understand what that means. They have posters in their bedroom,...

When Christians Disagree

by | IMHO Blog

Not being a social scientist or a social or cultural historian, I cannot speak with any scientific, research-based authority on what I am about to address. But I do enjoy reading history and cultural/religious trends, and have lived over fifty years immersed in the...

I Should Have Died

by | From the Farm

Grabbing hold with sap-sticky hands, my arms were outstretched along with my legs straight up. The sting from blood-streaked appendages mingled in my senses with the smell of fresh pine as I hung there dazed, feet caught, hands gripping branches tightly and...

Honor God’s Anointed Psalm 2

by | Psalms - Godly Emotions

7“I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You …’” 12Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!...

Invitation to Dinner Luke 22:15

by | Worship 52 Devos

God doesn’t ask us to do something that He wouldn’t do Himself. He is always our supreme example. So, He commands us five times in the New Testament to practice hospitality (Rom. 12:13, 1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:8, Heb. 3:2, 1 Peter 4:9). I take it that if He were...

News or Knowledge?

by | IMHO Blog

Like so many others, I suffer from “news junkitis.” I came down with this sometime in the last ten or fifteen years. I remember back when I was a young man, hearing older Christians pontificating about geopolitical issues, wondering how in the world they knew about...

The Michelangelo Connection

by | From the Farm

My family genealogical line goes back, like all do, way back. However, the record is somewhat sketchy. Beyond a few generations, darkness shrouds the hidden gems and ancestral secrets. Not that there is any earth-shaking embarrassment hiding in the past—at least not...

Happy New Year!

by | Holidays

Now’s the time to begin a new year with E-Meds.  Starting tomorrow (Jan. 3, 2022), we will have five themes, one for each weekday. Most of these will be longer than the traditional E-Med length, but we hope you find these worth your while: Mondays –...

The General Letters – Conclusion

by | General Epistles

We now conclude our meditation on the general letters of the New Testament. Though shorter than the other NT books, these general epistles are not theologically or spiritually minor. They address major themes and carry great devotional value for Christian meditation...

Closing Benediction Jude 24–25

by | General Epistles

24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and...

Snatch From the Fire Jude 22–23

by | General Epistles

22And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. Jude’s heart shines through as he concludes his severe rebuke of the pseudo-believers who...

Unity’s Best Practices Jude 19–21

by | General Epistles

19These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus...

Have a Blessed Christmas!

by | Holidays

Remembering the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ never gets old. For many, many people, this is the first time remembering our Lord’s birth in a very profound and personal way. For those of us who have an alive relationship with Him, we never tire of celebrating...

Genuine Faith vs. Mockers Jude 17–18

by | General Epistles

17But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” Here we see the great contrast that...

Ancient Warning Jude 14–16

by | General Epistles

14It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, 15to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have...

Woe (cont.) Jude 11

by | General Epistles

11Woe to them! . . . [F]or pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. Christian ministry can be manipulated into a lucrative business, make no mistake about that. Abuses of leadership, such as today’s high-profile...

Woe to Pseudo-Christians Jude 11

by | General Epistles

11Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain . . . “Woe” is a word Jesus used repeatedly to lay out His definitive statement of condemnation. Rational argument and debate are over, judgment is certain, and forewarning is thrown down. This is not an idle...

Rational vs. Instinctive Jude 8–10

by | General Epistles

8Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. 9But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing...

Shudder at God’s Judgment Jude 6–7

by | General Epistles

6And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in...

Posers Will Be Judged Jude 5

by | General Epistles

5Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. Licentious living is not good—that is an understatement! We need to carefully sort...

Beware of Grace Fleecing Jude 4

by | General Epistles

4For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. The battle for the truth of grace is like...

Contending for Genuine Faith Jude 3

by | General Epistles

3Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. The Christian movement has long battled efforts...

Possess Your Possessions Jude 2

by | General Epistles

2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. As we have seen in other NT letters, Jude uses the standard greeting: identifying himself, describing his readers, and offering a wish for their wellbeing. This wish is no superfluous, cordial filler. Christians...

Called, Beloved, and Kept Jude 1

by | General Epistles

1Jude . . . to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ . . . We know little about Jude’s intended audience other than what we find here in this letter. Yet the letter has resonated with Christians from the earliest days. For...

Of the Greatest Master Jude 1

by | General Epistles

1Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James … The book of Jude is sometimes called “the book of the apostates,” whom the author says: . . . have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who...

Either Good or Evil 3 John 11–12

by | General Epistles

11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our...

Marks of a False Teacher 3 John 9–10

by | General Epistles

9 . . . [Diotrephes] does not accept what we say.10For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his [Diotrephes] deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he...

Self-Promoting Leaders 3 John 9

by | General Epistles

9I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. Serving the Lord does not come without opposition. John was an apostle, authorized by the Lord Jesus Christ as an official witness of his life and...

Partners in Truth 3 John 5–8

by | General Epistles

5Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; >6and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7For they went...

Truth and Love Both Matter 3 John 3–4

by | General Epistles

3For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. While John is not afraid to speak assertively about false teachers, he does not...

Another Beloved Disciple 3 John 1–2

by | General Epistles

1The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. The three letters of John were probably written from Asia circa A.D. 85–90, although the dates are somewhat...

Love’s Intolerance 2 John 10–11

by | General Epistles

10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. The apostle John is relentless about tying love to correct teaching...

Incarnational Obedience 2 John 9

by | General Epistles

9Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. The teaching of unconditional and eternal love from God that can never be taken away from a believer does...

Incarnational Love 2 John 7–8

by | General Epistles

7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward....

A New-Old Command 2 John 5–6

by | General Epistles

5Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from...

Gospel in Three Words 2 John 3–4

by | General Epistles

3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. Reminiscent of...

Love Because of Truth 2 John 1–2

by | General Epistles

1The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever . . . So begins John’s second of three letters. Though technically the...

We Know . . . (cont.) 1 John 5:20–21

by | General Epistles

20And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21Little children, guard yourselves from idols. As believers,...