Ecclesiastes 12:10

   The Hebrews writer doesn’t hold back in his assessment of Esau ; “ That there be no immoral or godless person like Esau ” (Hebrew 12:16) . Immoral, a word that indicates a total lack of principle. Godless, a term used to describe mankind at his worst. So, what did Esau do to earn this scorn?   It says  ” sold his own birthright for a single meal . ”   We all get grumpy when we are hungry. A starving man will do just about anything to get his fill. So why is Esau so vilified for his action?   Well, if we examine the story in Genesis 25:29-34 we see it wasn’t a life-or-death decision, even though Esau thought it was that way. His stomach was driving his decisions. He sold out his entire future for a moment of carnal satisfaction. That’s why it tells us he despised his birthright. He couldn’t have appreciated it much if he gives up something so valuable for something so mundane. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even wee...

    How would you like to go to the amusement park and not be allowed to ride the latest and greatest ride? How would you feel if you went to the Louvre and they told you that you can’t go in a see the Mona Lisa? What if you went to the theater to see the new blockbuster and they said you won’t be allowed in? Not that the ride was under repair or the section was closed but YOU personally couldn’t go in.   That seems unfair. You would probably demand to know why?   What did I do?   As we think about that scenario, let’s read Hebrews 12:14: “ Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord .”   Here two aspects are commanded to follow, peace with men and sanctification. One might say peace and purity. But notice the important addition, without which no one will see the Lord.   Now let go back to our setup. If the answer was, “ Well you said you were going to try to damage the painting ”, or “ You violated the ...

   It's almost Valentine’s Day. Fellows, if you are just now realizing this you are in trouble. What could you possibly get at this moment that would be an appreciated gift?   Maybe this could help…   In a 2014 study dubbed “The iPhone Effect,” researchers paired up 200 participants and invited them to sit down in a coffee shop and chat with each other for about ten minutes. Research assistants observed the conversations from a distance and paid special attention to whether a mobile device was used, touched, or placed on the table during the conversation. When the time was up, participants were asked to respond to a series of questions designed to measure feelings of connection, empathic concern, and the like. These included, “To what extent did your conversation partner make an effort to understand your thoughts and feelings?” and “I felt I could really trust my conversation partner.” The results? If either participant pulled their phone out or placed ...

      I n Matthew 16:16, Peter makes one of the greatest statements one can ever make. Jesus's response to praise him. “ Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ” Jesus gives him the name Peter which means Rock. He places on him the keys to the kingdom and announces the authority that his good confession bestows.   All and all a pretty high point for him.     Yet just a few moments later in verse 22, He makes one of the dumbest statement he’d ever make. Jesus' response is to rebuke him. " Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's. " Jesus then lectures him and the other disciples on what it takes to be his follower.     All and all, not a very good follow up for him.   It is sometimes like that for us in our spiritual walk. The highs and lows are a lot closer together than they seem l...

    It's pretty hard out there for a referee.     It doesn’t matter what sport or what age the players, everybody seems to hate the ref. Coaches chew them out. Fans rain down boos and threats. Parents vilify them. Players express their utter dismay at the calls they make.     It is having a negative effect. Ask any school or league, refs are getting harder and harder to get. It’s not worth the large amount of time for the little pay just to have your every action called to task. Yet officials are a vital part of the game. So why do we treat them the way we do?     Maybe it comes down to the fact that a refs main job is to tell you when you have done wrong. You committed a foul, stepped out of bounds, didn’t swing at the strike. And seemly now more than ever we don’t like that.   We don’t mind if he says the other man is wrong, no we welcome that! In fact, we get upset if he doesn’t do that. But turn the fault back to us and we are ind...