J. M. Boice said, “Many who have resisted a Christian’s logic have been won by his tears.” I can’t help but wonder if believers in today’s church are mired in a “tearless” Christianity. Without question our responses have been blunted to the open and unashamed sin that permeates our nation. Sexual immorality, unbridled violence, deceitContinue reading “One That Mocked”
Author Archives: randylivingston
In the Image of God
Much of our conduct one toward another in society today is characterized by unkindness, harsh words, blatant disrespect, and even outright hatred. Civility and common courtesy are simply behaviors we now read about in old novels. Our speech one toward another is often filled with outright contempt to the point that we even celebrate andContinue reading “In the Image of God”
Watch and Learn!
Periodically, I have the privilege of playing golf with my twelve-year old grandson. Often, he stands in the tee box and looks back over his shoulder as he remarks to me, “Grandpa, watch and learn!” I laugh every time he says it, whether he hits it well or poorly. I admire his boldness. His challengeContinue reading “Watch and Learn!”
Another Gospel That Is Not Another
Paul’s epistle to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:2) is one of (if not his most) passionate letters. The believers there were being wooed to another gospel that was not the gospel of Christ that Paul had delivered unto them. The purity and simplicity of the true gospel was being jettisoned for a gospel notContinue reading “Another Gospel That Is Not Another”
Thankful for a Life Changed by Grace
Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (I Thessalonians 1:2). Thanksgiving to God for his grace in the life of others was a common practice of the Apostle Paul. He related this thanksgiving in his epistles to the Romans (1:8),Continue reading “Thankful for a Life Changed by Grace”
God Rules in the Affairs of Nations, Men, and Me
The Bible teaches us that God owns everything. “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods” (Psalm 24:1). He created all things; consequently, he owns all things. This right of ownership extends toContinue reading “God Rules in the Affairs of Nations, Men, and Me”
Walking in Righteousness
Paul asks a question of the Corinthians as a platform to provoke them to right thinking. “Know ye not the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,Continue reading “Walking in Righteousness”
The Father of Mercies
Paul, in writing to the Corinthian believers, referred to God as the “Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). What a precious appellation for our God! It speaks to the very character and nature of God himself, not just an exercise of frequent goodness. The nature of God is toContinue reading “The Father of Mercies”
Peace in Our Times!
We live in uncertain times. But if we are honest with ourselves, we must acknowledge that uncertainty has characterized all of our times. What then makes these times seem different even to the point of fostering fear and anxiety? Current events cast an ominous shadow and threaten the stability of our daily lives. World peaceContinue reading “Peace in Our Times!”
We Shall All Be Changed!
Paul had instructed the Corinthian believers on both the reality (I Corinthians 15:4) and the necessity (I Corinthians 15:14) of Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead. He also confirmed the inevitability of the believer’s resurrection (I Corinthians 15:20) and the nature of that resurrected body (I Corinthians 15:42-44). But what about those believers still aliveContinue reading “We Shall All Be Changed!”
From the Chaplain 