Trading Places (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, KJV) Many years ago, while I was serving as the pastor of a church in Savannah Georgia, I have a divine experience one evening. It was ChristmasContinue reading “Trading Places (2 Corinthians 5:21)”

Two Ways, Two Outcomes

“And to this people you shall say: ‘Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.” (Jeremiah 21:8, ESV) I used to know a businessman who would say, “There is a right way and a wrong way to do everything.” There were just two ways toContinue reading “Two Ways, Two Outcomes”

The Greatest Rescue Mission

“Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north country and out of all theContinue reading “The Greatest Rescue Mission”

Slip Sliding Away

“Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.” (Jeremiah 14:7, ESV) When I was in college, I had a 1967 Toyota Land Cruiser. This four-wheel drive vehicle could go just about anywhere. I remember taking it on the sandy beachContinue reading “Slip Sliding Away”

Broken Can’t Fix Broken

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.” (Jeremiah 13:23, ESV) Ask people what they consider one of the greatest hymns of all time and you might get a variety of answers. Yet this one hymn almost everyone will recognizeContinue reading “Broken Can’t Fix Broken”

A Divine Mulligan

“And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. But if any nation will not listen, thenContinue reading “A Divine Mulligan”

The Right Side of the Fence

“Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from theirContinue reading “The Right Side of the Fence”

Heavenly Protection

“Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, and say, “Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord, or you will die by our hand”— therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons andContinue reading “Heavenly Protection”

When Time Runs Out

“Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble.” (Jeremiah 11:14, ESV) Prior to my call to the full-time ministry, I worked in manufacturing and engineering management positions. Having many yearsContinue reading “When Time Runs Out”

Foolish Refusal to Repent

“You shall say to them, Thus says the Lord: When men fall, do they not rise again? If one turns away, does he not return? Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return.” (Jeremiah 8:4–5, ESV) In 1973 I attended the United States ArmyContinue reading “Foolish Refusal to Repent”