Getting Both Sides of the Story    “…But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain:” (Romans 13:4)    God ordained government. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained…

Four Things to Remember About the Job    “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4)    The death of a cop is always a disaster. You may read in the news every so often—too…

Reproachful Conduct “…by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme,” (2 Samuel 12:14) Picture two guys from church visiting a house. The conversation goes like this: Church Guy #1: Good evening, sir. We’re from the church at Corinth, and we’re in your neighborhood inviting people to church.…

The Politician’s Prayer “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps 139:23-24) America is in a crisis. It involves the COVID-19 virus and our responses to it. People are suffering, not…

Don’t Be Like Them “Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.” (Psalm 28:1) In this verse, David was afraid of something terrible happening to him. He was afraid that if God…

Pay Attention to God on Purpose      “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1…

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2)        A good leader realizes that God is over him. Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar learned this lesson the hard way. The prophet Daniel had warned him to repent of his arrogance and sin. He didn’t listen. God…

“…and when I see the blood, I will pass over you,” (Exodus 12:13)                                                                          The Passover started when Israel was held captive in Egypt. God instructed Israel specifically about the Passover sacrifice: “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year:” (Exodus 12:5) He also told Moses, “And they shall take of the blood,…

“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:40)      Do you wonder why God is letting the coronavirus go on? Scripture doesn’t give us any direct answers. The Bible talks about pestilence and sickness, but you won’t find any specific passage about the current coronavirus pandemic. Yet God…

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8)    One day when I was new on the job, I rode with a guy who had about two years on more than me. As we patrolled, my partner suddenly said we had…

Keeping Your Focus “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.” (Isaiah 51:1) The verse is for people who know Jesus as Saviour, who “follow after righteousness.” Saved people ought to…

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13) Sin does many things in people’s lives, all of them bad. For one, it deceives us. The devil calls our attention to sin’s pleasure while ignoring its consequences. He did that…