As we consider the attitude culturally and globally as the Lord makes His return ready, we next turn to Luke 18:8 “Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall He find (the) faith on the earth?” Since this verse appears in the story of the importunate widow, who continues to ask the judge to rule on her case without getting any response. Jesus seems to be teaching that the Lord will not find “faith which has endured in prayer without fainting.” I have included the word “the” in parenthesis to indicate that Jesus is referring to something specific and not just faith in general. It would seem that when the Lord comes back He will not find faith that brings salvation being taught in the churches that are to represent Him. Back in the 60’s and 70’s the message of the gospel, was reduced to simply repeating a prayer, and there was a de-emphasis of a transformed life, that is manifested by a desire to live in the holiness commanded in Scripture. Many churches who were once gospel preaching churches, have turned away from pointing out sin, and living a life in obedience to the Word of God. Churches have … READ MORE

Over the years people have asked what event or events do we need to watch for as we anticipate the return of the Lord. Interestingly, according to Scripture, it is not a specific event, but a general attitude culturally and globally. In order to understand this attitude we need to examine scripture to get the picture that God is painting in His Word. I would start with Matthew 24:37-39, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” This passage speaks of the suddenness of the return. No one will know the day or hour, but will be occupied in the ordinary things of life. This passage reveals the carelessness and lack of watchfulness for His return. Those living at the time will be so busy with the “cares of this life” that the day of His return will … READ MORE

Healthy civilizations have recognized the critical role of fathers since ancient times. In the last verse of the Old Testament we are told, “An he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6). This wound to fathers is a wound of absence – emotional as well as physical. You can kill living organisms in two ways. You can smash it, or you can just leave it alone. In the souls of men, the weapon of destruction is shame. When dads don’t embrace, encourage, guide, value me, I must not be worth much.” A real man is real. He walks in truth, even when it costs his image of being in control. He wants to face and overcome3 his inadequacies, so he can fulfill his calling as a husband, father, worker, and citizen. The problem with missing min in the lives of young boys is that they then look to mom to fill the gap created, and then later grasps onto his wife. But no woman, no matter how present, loving, and helpful, can be a father. Today … READ MORE