On Monday I was asked a very insightful question about Sunday’s sermon. In that sermon we saw that Paul urged Timothy and the Ephesian church to pray for all people without distinction. This includes praying for kings and all those in authority. This was a significant instruction from the apostle for Nero was the emperor…

Last Sunday we looked at 1 Timothy 1:12–17. To encourage and strengthen Timothy for the work he was to do in leading the church in Ephesus, Paul shared his own faith story telling Timothy how it was that the Lord strengthened him to endure suffering and to remain faithful. He shared how he was “the…

Vocation is a subject that often comes up in the minds of those who are serious about serving the Lord with their whole lives. A follower of Jesus wants to honor the Lord in all things, and this includes work. Too often, however, we separate work into two categories: work for the Lord and work…

Imagine the scene with me. Your nation is under constant threat from a violent and aggressive nation that seeks to invade and steal your nation’s wealth. That wealth is not merely your nation’s material wealth, but its “elite” citizens—experts in their fields, whether doctors or scientists or craftsmen or businessmen. The danger is that the…

You may have seen the meme but if you have not seen it, you have certainly felt it at times. It comes in various forms, often with pictures intended to garner a knowing smirk, but its basic gist is this: The first five days after the weekend are always the hardest. Whenever I see this…