Worship – Pathway Journey

October 26, 2023October 26, 2023

Have You Considered My Servant?

There are two interesting conversations in the Bible between God and Satan in the beginning chapters of the Book of Job. The scene was apparently in the spiritual realm where the “sons of God” (most likely angels) came before God. Satan, a rebellious castaway angel, appeared in the same gathering. God begins the conversation with Satan about Job, “Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8 NKJV)?

I am not going to tell the whole story about Job’s trials, temptations, and then his eventual two-fold restoration. Today, I am more interested in God’s all-knowing perspective about Job.

Satan did not begin the conversation about Job. God asked a straightforward question to Satan, knowing Satan’s evil heart as his very name “Satan” means adversary. God was basically boasting about Job, saying, “there is none like him on the earth.”

October 19, 2023October 19, 2023

Parched Piece of Ground

I hear people talking about leaving a legacy and I understand their sentiment, but often it has a scent of narcissism. After all, legacy is an earthly reminder of a person’s achievements while the crowns in Heaven are thrown down at the throne of God. My simple mind tells me to just be faithful in the Kingdom of God and leave the accounting to God’s record.

In 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21, the Bible tells a sin in King David’s life. He sinned by numbering Israel out of a bad motive. Instead of trusting God, he trusted the strong arm of flesh. He wanted to feel secure in the number of warriors he had at his disposal. Joab, the leader of the army, was sent throughout the land to take a census of his fighting men.

December 6, 2022December 6, 2022

Song of My Soul

How could I say that I have accepted Jesus, chose Yahweh to be my God, and Holy Spirit to fill me? As if I was shopping for a god and thought they were a great bargain.

No—the realization that He chose me. He came to me in my brokenness, revealing His completeness and perfection. At the time, I could not have articulated these words, but in retrospect I can see Him coming to me, instead of me going to Him.

July 27, 2022July 27, 2022

When the King Moves In

Jimmy Carter was president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He was a peanut farmer from Georgia, and he tried to be a little folksy relating to the common man. I remember a few details of his trip to California where he wanted to stay in a private home instead of a fancy hotel. [This blog is not about Jimmy Carter, please read to the end!]

May 17, 2022May 17, 2022

Arrogance of Mankind

We find ourselves attracted to confident people but at the same time appalled at arrogance. It is a thin line from one to the other. As a person of faith, I find it unthinkable and sickening to see a person being arrogant toward God.

Recently when I was praying, in my prayer I was praising God for Who He Is. I almost became convicted with the absurdity of my prayer. How could I even imagine who God really is? His greatness is so beyond me.

September 10, 2021September 10, 2021

No More Options!!

Jesus said some difficult things. One of the more difficult statements He made to His followers was for them to have life it would be necessary for them to eat His flesh and to drink His blood (see John 6:53-57). Many of His followers stopped following Him after that teaching. Jesus asked His twelve apostles, “Do you also want to go away” (John 6:67 NKJV)?

April 13, 2021May 6, 2021

Overcoming Evil

A lingering question is asked these days given the situation we see in our world, “What can we do?” It is an earthly question with a spiritual answer. Much of what people see as a cultural shift, political upheaval, or religious persecution is a spiritual manifestation.

December 26, 2020December 26, 2020

The Baby Grew Up…

We are now finished with the Christmas season except for the packing away of tinsel and bows. During this past season as always, the true believers celebrated Christ’s birth and the secularists celebrated “Christmas”. We who hold and celebrate the Virgin Born Son—Jesus Christ could kick and scream about the commercialization of Christmas, but next year Walmart will still have their big screen TVs on sale. But I want you to know—The Baby Grew Up…

December 24, 2020December 24, 2020

Manger in the Light of the Cross

I love Christmas! I love most of the trappings of Christmas–I even love fruitcake, but Christmas is not just about the trees, lights, presents, or even the family get-togethers. Beyond all these things, Christmas represents the great love of God for the world, manifested in the First Advent of His Son, Jesus Christ. The scripture says it so well, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV).

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020

Jesus — Born a Man for Men

The world lay in the sway of darkness, sin, and death. Man’s journey from the Garden was marked by a trail of death and tears with each tomb a reminder of every man’s fate. Death reigned in the world by a cruel master, Satan, whose very name meant “Adversary”. The Hebrew prophets of old had prophesied approximately seven centuries before of a coming Messiah who would save and deliver.