“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him." We are still today surrounded by disease and suffering. Those with physical handicap are no less common in our world of doctors, nurses and hospitals than they were in Lord Jesus’ day. Theologians are … Continue reading Glorious Suffering? – John 9:3
Jesus Christ: The Strength and Power Of God – Luke 11:20-22
If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up … Continue reading Jesus Christ: The Strength and Power Of God – Luke 11:20-22
Who Is This?
The Willingness of God
How He Loves Us
Turning
Delight – Psalms 18.19
He brought me forth also into a broad place;He rescued me, because He delighted in me. One Word Sometimes one word can turn a phrase in a significant and impactful way. Love covers a multitude of sins. Grace initiates an amazing transformation. Hope realigns our vision. Delight confounds us. ‘He rescued me, because He delighted in me.’ … Continue reading Delight – Psalms 18.19
Passing Away – 2 Chronicles 21.20
Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one’s regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings. Could this possibly be the worst epitaph ever? He died to no one’s regret…. What an absolutely awful … Continue reading Passing Away – 2 Chronicles 21.20
Hate and Death – John 12.25
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. This has to be one of the most difficult passages in the Bible for the follower of Christ to process. We live in a prosperous time and find it natural to love our lives and … Continue reading Hate and Death – John 12.25
Will – Luke 23.25
...but he delivered Jesus over to their will. How ironic. Jesus had pleaded with those He encountered to hear and submit to His will for their benefit; yet, He ends up being forced to submit to their will ultimately for our benefit. Will is a big word with deep implications in our lives. The will … Continue reading Will – Luke 23.25
Containing God – 2 Chronicles 6.18
2 Chronicles 6:18 “But will God really dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house which I have built!” This truly is a great question. How does a perfect, invisible, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent One dwell in any physical structure? Nothing can contain Him. … Continue reading Containing God – 2 Chronicles 6.18
The Freedom to Respond – Jonah 3.5,10
Respond - Jonah 3:5 Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. Jonah 3:10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would … Continue reading The Freedom to Respond – Jonah 3.5,10
The Purposes of God – Job 9.17
Reading this article now several years after writing it, I wonder how I thought I could speak so confidently of God’s clear purpose in suffering. The favor and mercy of Father God is more tangible and clear than ever to me, His specific will; however, not so much. His perspective comes from a vantage point … Continue reading The Purposes of God – Job 9.17
The Evil Power of Resentment, Esther 5:13-14
Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.” Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go … Continue reading The Evil Power of Resentment, Esther 5:13-14
Spiritual Deafness – Luke 16.31
And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ When one begins to deny truth a very dangerous decline begins - … Continue reading Spiritual Deafness – Luke 16.31
The Reality of the Lord Jesus – 1 John 1.1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was … Continue reading The Reality of the Lord Jesus – 1 John 1.1
Hate – Luke 14.26
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot … Continue reading Hate – Luke 14.26
Never Bow – 1 Kings 19.18
"Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” In a culture of unmitigated evil that is constantly running after the gods of this world, such as the one over which Ahab and Jezebel ruled, the worshiper of God … Continue reading Never Bow – 1 Kings 19.18
PERSISTENT, PESTERING PRAYER – LUKE 18:1-8
He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged... My middle name is Discouraged. My resolve is short lived (which is really a bit oxymoronic). My practice of prayer certainly doesn’t seem to reach the level of being called a ‘life’. I hear people talk about … Continue reading PERSISTENT, PESTERING PRAYER – LUKE 18:1-8
PURSUE UNITY IN TRUTH – PHILIPPIANS 4:3
Put Off and Put On – Ephesians 4.20-24
But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of … Continue reading Put Off and Put On – Ephesians 4.20-24
WHY VENTANAS?
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Ventanas 