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Hierapolis
In the ancient city of Hierapolis resides a wonder of water. The natural springs cascading downward are unmatched throughout the world. The white travertine terraces embrace her thermal pools which speak of their rarity. While the image of those cascading waters captivate my attention, they also lead me to the greater story of the city that once was. Revelation chapters two and three depict the seven churches of Asia. The words of Jesus are recorded with a personal message to each one. Yet, none of those churches exist today. All have disappeared from the original account. Passing by a grand…
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“In the last days…”
“In the last days…” These words seemed so far away from us just a few months ago. Today, we are watching a demonstration of how the Mark of the Beast will be implemented. We once wondered how people would accept the “mark” of the beast. Yet today the path is clear: It will be “for our own good and for the good of others.” Mass consciousness simply means that the greater majority of people believe in a particular thought. The result of this “thought” is more than just a coercive nudge by the majority. It is a demand to submit…
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Line of Demarcation
When Joshua took that final step across the Jordan River, it was more than just the crossing of a dry riverbed. It was the closing of a chapter in Israel’s history. The moment he put his feet on the other side, something changed in the mindset of this new generation of Israelites. Land and inheritances were before them; battles loomed large as the enemy awaited. The promise was about to unfold and the Lord was going to make His name great. Jordan’s crossing was a realization a of new day; a watershed moment in all of their lives. In fact,…
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All by the Blood!
In another time, ministers spontaneously called people out of the audience to sing or testify. The result was often an impromptu response. I have been called to the microphone without any foreknowledge of what I would say. I have been asked to preach in several places where I was just visiting. Thankfully I had a Bible and a thought, but this has never been my preference. One individual told me that if they were called on unexpectedly, they would sing about the Blood. They said, “my fall back is ‘Blood songs.’” Something about their reply disturbed me. I wondered if…
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Holy
2 Peter 3:10-11 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,” For many years biblical principles have been under assault. Holy lifestyles, modest attire, and a host of disciplines have been in dispute. Most denominations once embraced holiness,…
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Liberty
The first biblical account of liberty is found in Leviticus 25:10 “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan.” The Year of Jubilee embodied the return of property and ownership. It was God’s thought of restoration for all those who were bound by the troubles and misappropriation of life. In the 50th year, payments from the past were settled and a rightful return was delivered. God’s people were never meant…
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…12 pieces …
The chaos of Israel’s divided kingdom was revealed the day the prophet Ahijah took a new garment and ripped it into 12 pieces (1 Kings 11:30). Ten tribes to the north and two for the south. It was the end of Solomon’s reign and the beginning of a downward spiral that would never recover. Even still God spoke a word of consequence that exists today. 1 Kings 11:36 I will give one tribe to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name. Jerusalem…
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Tetrapod
Perhaps a macro view of the water’s edge might offer some insight into the importance of Father’s Day. After years of erosion and deposition, the core of engineers has devised a way to both retain the shoreline and build new necessary piers. The most efficient method comes from the creation of concrete barriers called tetrapods. These oddly shaped pods placed in strategic rows are the most effective form of defense against the crashing waves. We should note that nothing can stop all the waves. The oceans have no equal. However, there is a way to break up those violent waves…
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… living this Holy life …
Perhaps Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe do not strike a cord in our memory. These cities hosted numerous miracles occurring via Paul, Barnabas, Luke, and the apostles. Yet, in each place the miraculous signs were not greeted with joy by all who witnessed them. The unbelieving Jews of the synagogue, the Pharisees, and men of the mystics were angry with the healings that took place. In each of these places, the Bible says that the disciples “escaped” from being stoned. Can you imagine? Doing good resulted in death threats insomuch that they had to run for their lives. Jesus found Himself…
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“I will build my church”
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. When Jesus spoke these words to Peter there was no doubt as to both ownership and eventuality of the coming Church. Jesus was going to build His Church and He was the Rock. While Peter played a role in preaching the first sermon on the Day of Pentecost, the Church belonged to the Lord. Throughout the coming days, Peter would struggle with the preordained death of Jesus Christ. He…