Solomon, speaking on the matter of war, testified to the convergence of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in a very unusual yet clear manner. “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: But safety is of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31). We’ve all seen horses in books or movies arrayed in special armor to aidContinue reading “Safety is of the LORD!”
Author Archives: randylivingston
One of Love’s Many Faces
The church in Corinth had many spiritual gifts (I Cor. 1:5-7). Yet they struggled with discontent, striving, and selfish ambition as they deployed these gifts (I Cor. 3:3; 4:7; 12:28-31). Paul emphasized the need for love to govern the ministry of their gifts one to another. This is the background and purpose for one ofContinue reading “One of Love’s Many Faces”
Moved with Compassion
The Apostle Paul spent just a brief time, perhaps a few months at best, in Thessalonica on his second missionary journey before being forced to leave. The Jews who resisted the message of the gospel made it difficult for him to minister. But many of the Gentiles “received the word of God…not as the wordContinue reading “Moved with Compassion”
Men’s Words or God’s Word
The Apostle Paul commended the Thessalonian believers for their reception of his ministry among them. In fact, he was particularly given to rejoicing because “when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,Continue reading “Men’s Words or God’s Word”
Members Should Care
Paul had written to the Corinthian believers in response to their questions concerning spiritual gifts. The church in Corinth was characterized by much division (I Corinthians 3:3) and contributing to this division was their misuse of these spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:28-31). Paul had explained to them that the gifts were to be used forContinue reading “Members Should Care”
Love…Not Easily Provoked, Thinketh No Evil
The Bible describes love primarily in how it behaves or acts. In doing so, it necessarily addresses how love does not behave as well. The Scriptures tell us love “is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil” (I Corinthians 13:5). At the risk of oversimplifying, if I am easily provoked or given to thinking evil, myContinue reading “Love…Not Easily Provoked, Thinketh No Evil”
Love Hopes All Things, Endures All Things
In his letter to the Corinthian believers, Paul describes a love that is supernatural in origin and character. It is a love that is beyond the reach of human experience but for the grace of God. He tells them (and us) that among other qualities this Christ-like love “hopes all things, endures all things” (IContinue reading “Love Hopes All Things, Endures All Things”
Living for the Glory of God
Paul reminded the believers in Corinth that they had been delivered from sin, i.e. they were “washed…sanctified…justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:11). It was immediately after this that he offered some clear guidelines to help them navigate through this new life now theirsContinue reading “Living for the Glory of God”
Life Without God
James has a very emphatic admonition for his audience in first century Christianity. He warned them to not live their lives without God. Listen to him speak. “Go to now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain. Continue reading “Life Without God”
Judgment, Mercy, and Faith
In his earthly ministry, Jesus was bold in his condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders in his time. On one occasion, he pronounced “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, andContinue reading “Judgment, Mercy, and Faith”
From the Chaplain 