Man's Plans and Casting Lots

For many Bible readers, the Old Testament practice of ‘casting lots’ seems like the use of chance in making decisions. Bible dictionaries suggest that ’lots’ might have been sticks of various lengths, flat stones, or even some kind of ancient dice. Such descriptions resemble today’s ’drawing straws,’ ‘flipping coins’ and ‘rolling dice,’ all ways of deciding by chance. And yet...

The lot is cast into the lap,

But its every decision is from the Lord.

--Proverbs 16:33

What are we supposed to do with this proverb?

Here are a few Bible examples of casting lots to make decisions:

• Lots were cast to select one of two goats for sacrifice. (Leviticus 16:8)
• Lots were cast for the land inheritance of Israel’s tribes. (Joshua 18)
• The apostles cast lots for the man to replace Judas. (Acts 1:16-26)
• Sailors cast lots to discover who was responsible for a storm that endangered their lives. The lot fell to Jonah. (Jonah 1)

In the first three examples it is unclear whether God influenced the outcomes or left each outcome to chance. However, in the case of Jonah, God’s involvement is clear.

It could be argued that when no moral issues are involved and a choice is unclear, a flip of a coin might be wiser than voting or leaving a decision to a committee or other group within a congregation.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was eager for wisdom in making decisions. He consulted His advisors but over time realized that these wise men were either using personal wisdom, relating speculation, or applying chance in their use of astrology, charms, divination, etc. They might as well have been casting lots.

We might be just as eager for wisdom in making decisions, but how can we be sure that God has given us His answer or influenced the outcome? How can we be sure that our eventual course is approved by God? Consider Proverbs 18:18...

The cast lot puts an end to strife

And decides between the mighty ones.

In the numerous passages about casting lots, it appears that God used this as a means of taking the decision out of the hands of men. Whether He caused a certain outcome or allowed chance is not always clear. And yet, it ended strife between people and ended potential anxiety in individuals.

In our day people often look for signs when making decisions. And yet, God does not promise angelic messages, signs in the sky or in dreams. Nor has He instructed us to cast lots. So, when making decisions, first consult God’s written wisdom, the Bible...and follow what you discover. Second, seek wise counsel from someone older and with more experience...and listen! When indecision lingers, you can be sure of two paths that are unwise:

• Praying but doing what you secretly know you want to do. (Read Jeremiah 42 as an example.)
• Praying for guidance and doing nothing when you can do something, and at the same time expecting the Lord to make something happen. (Remember the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.)

Finally, if ever a choice must be made and the options are equivalent, perhaps wisdom reaches for the ‘lots’ simply to remove human strife.

Mark Stinnett

July 5, 2026

Work Out Your Salvation??

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 

--Philippians 2:12

What was the Apostle Paul trying to communicate about salvation?

• Was he telling Christians that everyone’s salvation is different, that each person has to figure it out on his own?
• Was he making a point about individual responsibility?
• What does fear and trembling have to do with salvation? Fear of what?

Salvation: 

Paul was writing to Christians, those who were in a state of having been saved. Sometimes we are so accustomed to the word salvation that it becomes cliché. It is easy to forget that salvation is more accurately salvation from the wrath of God because of sin.

Work out: 

The phrase “work out your salvation” is not about ‘figuring it out’ but working through to completion. Salvation is not like a treasure hunt in which cryptic clues are discovered and must be figured out. (That’s the Hollywood way.) Rather, God has made it clear how a person can be saved from His wrath due to sin. In addition, God has made it plain how followers of Jesus are to order their lives while living in this world. There is no mystery about God’s expectations for the saints.

So, working out one’s salvation is not a mystery that is individualized. The phrase was meant to encourage endurance. Work it through to completion. Don’t give up part way through. Remain loyal.

Obedience: 

Look at the phrase, “just as you have always obeyed.” The early Christians would have understood fully what they were to obey. Paul was referring to obedience in their Christian life. They were obedient to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles. This was what they had ‘always obeyed.’ It really is that simple. That admonition carries forward to us. We are encouraged to hold fast to the things that God has revealed to us in His written word. Again, it is not a mysterious code. There may be passages that are challenging, but God’s instruction is clear and simple.

Fear and Trembling: 

Many believers today latch hold of a scripture they like:, such as, Call on the Lord and you’ll be saved. Or, believe in the Lord and you’ll be saved. The New Testament teaches these things but not in the absence of obedience, purity, and loyalty.

Many wish to portray God as a tolerant friend instead of Creator. Other’s fixate on ‘Father’ forgetting that God is also our Judge and demands holiness. ‘Fear and trembling’ call us to soberness, to say the least.

Ancient Jericho trembled when Israel approached. The Bible says that there was no spirit in them any longer. That means that they trembled to the point of being virtually lifeless. They had lost all motivation to fight. They could not run or cry for help. They trembled, accepting certain defeat.

We must have confidence in God’s word because God keeps His promises. And yet we must also possess a sense of awe and reverence toward God. We are not to be scared, but fearful. 

There is no personalized instruction to you and me. So, every time we open God’s word we must recognize that individually we are the learner, the slave, the child. We must open God’s book for understanding. We must be serious about interpreting God’s word according to what He intended, not what it means to me. And we must be careful to apply God’s word in obedient allegiance to Jesus, our King. This is not done without reverence and awe toward God, and yes, a measure of fear and trembling.

Mark Stinnett

June 28, 2026

The Fearful Wrath of God

People are not afraid of God these days.

Startling events are recorded in Scripture in which God took action against those who had no regard for him, who rebelled, or who kept on sinning.

• God poured out His wrath on Israel when they rebelled against Him after having been delivered from slavery in Egypt. Read Exodus 32.
• God took the lives of two priests who had no regard for His instruction when they offered ’strange fire’ to God. Read Leviticus 10.
• God took the lives of all who followed Korah, Dathan and Abiram in their rebellion against God’s leadership. Read Numbers 16.
• During the period of the Judges Israel strayed from God into idolatry. For that, he allowed neighboring nations to oppress the people.

Prophets were sent to warn God’s people that He was about to take action against them due to their sin. The people mocked the prophets and would not listen. They were not afraid of God.

The descriptive language of the prophets warning Israel and Judah of God’s wrath is often terrifying. It was meant to be terrifying because God could not overlook the sins of the people. He wanted them to turn back to Him. So, He used vivid language that would communicate the terror of being the object of His wrath. There are no empty scare tactics with God. God is a God of justice and must take action against sin. It is His nature.

The prophet Ezekiel was sent with a message to idolatrous Judah. Recorded in the 21st chapter, God warned His people of His coming wrath. It was pictured as a sword. The sword was sharpened and polished. Yet, this sword was not an object of beauty. The sword was “sharpened to make a slaughter” and “polished to flash like lightning” (v. 10). The latter description is not about its appearance but more about the manner in which the sword struck, like a flash of lightning. The sword was sharpened and polished to be given into the hand of the slayer!

Ezekiel was told to clap his hands, presumably signaling the beginning of God’s destructive judgment. The sword would strike in a flash going to the left and then to the right suggesting a powerful double-edged sword. God’s judgment would be thorough and complete. He would also clap His hands together, “and I will appease My wrath” (v. 17).

The word translated ‘appease’ was used elsewhere in the Old Testament for rest or the idea of being settled. God’s wrath had been aroused by the sins of the people. It was appeased (settled) after His wrath had been poured out on the people as a destructive sword.

While God speaks through Ezekiel in rich figurative language, the meaning of the prophecy was clear. God had prepared a sword, and the figurative sword would come as a real king with a real army, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. God warned His people that He would use the nation of Babylon to carry out His divine judgment against them. That should have struck terror in their hearts and caused them to turn back to God. Foolishly, they did not. They did not fear God.

How foolish we are to read the Old Testament prophets as mere Bible stories. How foolish we are to read the warnings in the New Testament that tell us of God’s wrath because of sin and not feel a sense of dread. God has never lied in His warnings.

“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Take the warnings seriously. 

Jesus will return. 

There will be a judgment. 

Only those who are in Christ are safe from God’s wrath!

Mark Stinnett

June 21, 2026

Us vs Them: 'Them'

We live in an ‘Us vs Them’ world. (See previous blogs.) There are those who are alive in Christ and those who are dead in their sins. This life and death description refers to one’s relationship with God.

The gospel message is specifically for those who are a part of the ‘them’ group. The gospel is God’s plea to those who are dead in their sins to change their thinking about Jesus and follow Him. But what about the rest, the ‘us’ group. What is our relationship to ‘them’?

First, we should possess an attitude of understanding and cooperation. ‘They’ do not live according to the word of God; they do not intend to do so. We who follow Jesus live according to the Spirit. Yet, we should not be surprised that they live according to the flesh. In fact, many of them will find it offensive if we try to make them live according to the word of God. Make no mistake, God will hold everyone accountable, but He does not force anyone to choose Jesus. Just read the next two verses after the famous John 3:16. Read what Paul preached in Acts 17, especially verses 29-31. Look it up.

God also instructed His people (us) through the Apostle Paul:

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 

--1 Corinthians 5:9-11

So, we live in this world, not in a cave in the hills or in a monastery cut off from civilization. God expects us to ‘rub elbows’ with them. In fact...

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” 

--Romans 12:18

In order for us to be at peace with others, we will do well to remember…

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

--Romans 12:19

To follow that instruction means that there will be injustices in the world. We know that life is not fair, but we really need to embrace that fact and recognize that God will bring ultimate justice in the end. Until then, we await the Lord’s return which is delayed because of God’s patience…

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 

--2 Peter 3:9

We should be motivated by the compassion of Jesus when He was dying on the cross. He prayed to God…

“Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Those words were not for the world of lost sinners, but specifically for those who had called for and carried out His death. We should realize that those who have not chosen to follow Christ really do not know what they are doing when they ridicule us, mock us, harm us. It is an expression of love to pray for our enemies, asking God to open a door of opportunity so that the gospel might be presented to them. It is an expression of mercy to show compassion when you are hurt instead of demanding justice.

Being at peace with 'them' calls for genuine love and mercy from 'us.'

Mark Stinnett

June 14, 2026

Us vs Them: "Us"

We live in an ‘Us vs Them’ world. (See last week’s blog.) Those who follow Jesus have been born again. They are alive in Christ. All others remain dead in their sins. So, what does God expect of 'us' while living among 'them.'

Before His death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus prayed for believers. He described His disciples to God by saying “they are not of the world.” Then He prayed, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

Why has God left disciples of Jesus in the world?

Primarily, it is for the advancement of the kingdom of God. There are direct and indirect ways in which 'we' can each help:

Advance the kingdom: 

Paul makes it very clear that not every Christian is a missionary or evangelist or preacher or teacher. Even when people were receiving spiritual gifts of a miraculous nature, the ‘speaking’ gifts were given priority. The ‘speaking’ gifts (prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpretation, teaching) were miraculous gifts given to spread the gospel message and teach the word of God. (See Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 & 14.) In the book of Acts the primary role of the Holy Spirit was the advancement of the kingdom of God. After all, God desires for all men to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) So, some people are directly involved in spreading the gospel message and teaching God’s people.

Support those who do: 

Not every Christian is a preacher, teacher, missionary or evangelist. Those who do not fill those important roles can certainly support those who do. For many, support is about financial support. Indeed, those who speak God’s word full-time need financial support. And yet, participation in the advancement of the kingdom also includes prayer and personal support for those who preach and teach. When reading about the missionary journeys of Paul in the book of Acts it is clear that he depended on others for lodging, protection, moral support and sound advice. Seldom do you read about Paul being alone. In his letters he often mentioned by name many people who provided support of various kinds. Entire congregations also participated in the gospel with him as they sent gifts of support and supported him in prayer. You can support the gospel.

Explain your hope: 

God expects every Christian to be able to say something to explain their hope, that is, their expectation of eternal life. (1 Peter 3:15) You don’t have to be an apologist who has an answer for every question, from the existence of dinosaurs to the doctrine of the Trinity. You may not be able to explain why certain things are in the Bible. But you should be able to explain your conviction that your sins have been forgiven and that you will be raised from the dead when you die to live eternally with God.

Good works: 

God created us for good works. It is His expectation that every Christian engage in good works (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus said that we should let our light shine so that people see our good works and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). God knows that we may sometimes become weary of doing good. So, he provides encouragement so we will not give up. God is a kid of cheerleader for continuing in good works. It might not look like we are making a difference, but God see what is going on. (See Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 2:3.)

Love one another: 

Love for our fellow saints in Christ is one of the most important attributes of a Christian. Jesus said that the world will know that we are his disciples if we love one another. (John 13:35)

Your contribution to the kingdom is important to God.


Mark Stinnett

June 7, 2026

Us vs Them: God's View

We live at a time when many people, religious people, are tired of the Bible and its message. They have grown weary of the ‘bloody’ message of the cross. They think doctrine promotes controversy. “Why can’t we all just get along and help others?”

That sounds nice...except there is a distinction, a kind of ‘Us’ and ‘Them.’ God views the two distinct groups in various ways in Scripture, such as those who are in the kingdom of God and those who are not. Also...

• The godly and the ungodly
• The righteous and the unrighteous
• The good and the evil/bad
• The saved and the lost
• The saints and the sinners

Perhaps the most important distinction is that of the living and the dead. The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Ephesus and informed them that they were formerly “dead in your trespasses and sins.” He went on to say that through God’s grace they had been saved. God “made us alive together with Christ….” (Ephesians 2)

It is easy to read passages of Scripture like that and think it is figurative. However, the distinction of the living and the dead goes back to the beginning of the Bible when everything that God had created was good. He had created mankind in His own image. Mankind enjoyed fellowship with God.

However, when Adam and Eve sinned, it was more than the breaking of a rule. They literally separated themselves from God demanding their own independence. They wanted to think for themselves and make their own choices. It was not that God was opposed to them thinking and choosing. Rather, it was a matter of trust. Adam and Eve decided to trust in themselves and in doing so, broke fellowship with God. In that, they died.

So, in God’s view there is an ‘Us and Them.’ It is rooted in the distinction between God and man. Yet, before sin entered, there was only ‘Us.’ God did not change. Adam and Eve separated themselves from God and in doing so created an ‘Us and Them’ relationship. And from the beginning, the distinction was between the living and the dead: The Living God and man.

So, ultimately, God does not wish for the distinction. He is not in favor of ‘Us and Them.’ For that reason, from the beginning, He has been working out a plan of redemption, a plan that would give life to those who have separated themselves by sin and its consequence: death.

It is sometimes overlooked that there are consequences for choices and actions. For most people, the consequence of sin does not seem frightening. After all, people are not falling down dead when they get drunk, have an affair, lie, or gossip. However, the lack of immediate consequences does not mean that consequences do not exist.

The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to take the saints home with Him. It will be a time of separation in which God will make the ultimate and final distinction between the living and the dead. Those who have been born again, that is, made alive through the Holy Spirit will enjoy life eternal. All others will be forever separated from God and all that is good.

The Apostle John wrote a short letter (1 John) to Christians so they could KNOW that they possess eternal life. There IS a clear distinction: Those who have the Son of God have life; those who do not, have no life.

Do you have the Son of God?

Mark Stinnett

May 31, 2026

Us vs Them: Attitude

Prejudice.

Racial prejudice has been an issue in our nation for decades and has even crept into God’s church. Of course, there are also other kinds of prejudice.

A person is marked as prejudiced whenever they prejudge others. Think about that term: pre-judge. A judgment is made beforehand. In other words, before learning about a person an evaluation is made. The individual is ‘sized up’ so that conclusions are drawn without knowledge.

Prejudice creates an ‘us versus them’ mentality. People are categorized into two groups, those who are more like me (us) and the others (them). Such division might be motivated by opinions about skin color, clothing, employment, economic standing, one’s accent or vocabulary, one’s state of birth, current residence, political preferences, hobbies, and the list goes on.

An ‘us vs them’ attitude justifies ‘us’ looking down on ‘them’ because of the noted difference(s). ‘We’ feel more comfortable or entitled to belittle ‘them’ because ‘they’ are clearly lower or lesser than ‘us.’ We are superior.

There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’ in the church. We are all children of God. Even though God has assigned different roles there is no human hierarchy. Our leaders, that is, our elders, are members of the body of Christ. Our deacons, preacher, and teachers are members of Christ. The youngest and least experienced Christian is as much a member as the oldest and wisest.

Consider the following Scriptures that emphasize our oneness:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

--Galatians 3:28

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 

--1 Corinthians 12:13

Speaking of our renewal in Christ, Paul wrote that…

...There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Sythian, slave and freemen, but Christ is all, and in all.

--Colossians 2:11

It was told Jesus that his mother and brothers wished to see Him.

But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” 

--Luke 8:21

Without any further distinction or qualification...

But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God even to those who believe in His name.

--John 1:12

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God...The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. 

--Romans 8:14, 16

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

--Galatians 3:26

In Christ’s church, there is no ‘us’ and ‘them.’ Such an attitude causes strife and left unchecked, ends in division. Guard your attitude regarding your fellow saints in Christ. Remember that, even though we may differ in many ways, we are all children of God, and God makes no distinctions.

Mark Stinnett

May 24, 2026

Happiness or Joy?

June 1970: Family reunion & camping.
Summer, 1976: Water fights & hilarity in the back yard.
Fall, 1982: Grilling out with other poor young married couples.
June, 1987: First baby girl.
July, 1992: First house.
October, 2007: Vacation in the sun; no kids.
Christmas break, 2014: Holiday feast; all the kids home; games and gifts.
2017, 2022, 2024: Italy, Italy, Italy.

Memorable occasions stand out for one reason or another reminding us of happy times. With each happy memory comes stories of laughter, fun, and particularly satisfying events. Perhaps one reason that we have those special memories is because those were occasions that were out of the ordinary. We would like every day to be an “amusement park” day filled with fun and excitement and cotton candy (or other tasty food with absolutely no nutritional value).

Occasions such as these come under the banner of happiness.

We all know what happiness is. However, you might not know that the word happiness is dependent upon circumstances. It is a cousin to the word happen. (Check that out in one of those big, thick dictionaries.)

Happiness fades, often with the fading light of day. Why? Our circumstances change day by day; things happen.

Yet, there are some people who seem to be happy all the time. Nothing gets them down, even when they are down. They seem to be different from everyone else. I have heard some claim that they have simply decided to be happy. That’s nice, but sometimes life stinks. I want something better.

Others gage their happiness by comparing their life to others. They recognize that they are more fortunate and that gives them reason to be happy. That’s also nice but still dependent on circumstances. Anything better?

I have decided to set my eyes on Jesus who is…

The author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

 —Hebrews 12:2

What is that joy that Jesus possessed? How was it possible for him to have joy while enduring the pain and shame of the cross?

The joy that Jesus possessed was not based upon circumstances. The pain of the crucifixion did not bring joy, nor did the shame. Yet the pain and shame brought about a good result, our salvation. His joy was in knowing the future result that God had promised mankind through His death.

His joy was not a mere positive attitude. His joy was not a mere point of view by comparing Himself to others. His joy was based on something real. He actually grabbed hold of something with substance, God’s promises. That same joy exists for those who are saints in Christ.

Would you rather possess lasting joy rooted in the promises of God, or the temporary happiness that is dependent upon circumstances?

Have you grabbed hold of God’s promises?

Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

 —Hebrews 12:3

Mark Stinnett

May 17, 2026

The Gift of Motherhood

When I was young, Dad preached for 10 years. So, I heard about 1,000 of his sermons. I can distinctly remember only four:

• The one when he knocked over the vase of flowers sitting beside the podium.
• The one when he accidentally spit out his dentures...and caught them!
• The one when he called me to the front for misbehaving.
• The one on mercy.

I learned many lessons in life from my dad, but most of them were not from his sermons, and most of them were after college. The overwhelming majority of life’s lessons were learned in the home...in the kitchen...from my mom. Some of those lessons are as vivid today as if they had occurred yesterday; a lesson on lying and deceit, and one on pride. (Yes, I was guilty on both occasions.) Yet, most lessons were hidden in the myriad of mundane day-to-day activities and rather boring conversations.

Without taking her hands out of the dishwater or even glancing my direction she would instill a better attitude, correct childish reasoning, or question a faulty plan. There was nothing so profound as to be written down; nothing so wise as to be quoted. Yet, lessons, dozens and dozens of lessons, life lessons, taught, repeated, and lived out in practice each day.

My purpose is not to glorify my mother, but to magnify the God-given role of motherhood.

The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy concerning the role of women, but his instruction is not widely accepted today, even in the church. Paul reminded Timothy of Eve’s place in the creation order, and also of the deception of Eve. It is clear in the creation narrative that things changed for women as a result of Eve’s sin, and that change remains in force today. Then Paul made a rather remarkable statement:

But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

--1 Timothy 2:15

Surely, Paul was not referring to ‘labor and delivery’ but rather the role of motherhood. You see, God did not strike Eve down and call for a ‘do-over’ so that he could create a ‘new and improved’ Evelyn for Adam. God extended mercy to Eve and to all women in the role of motherhood.

‘Mom’ is one of the greatest influences, if not the greatest influence, on the life of every person. Mothers instill values deep within a child which will last a lifetime.

Dads, you have the responsibility of making sure your children love and honor their mother. Your task does not necessarily end after they leave home. Do your part to help your wife fulfill her role as mother.

Children, most of you have a mother who is there for you more than dad. In fact, it is easy to see her as usual, boring, and sometimes an obstacle to your otherwise exciting life. Thank God that she is there for your mundane, boring life, day after day after day. I’m serious, thank God for her. She...loves...you! God expects you to love and honor her...EVERY day, not just on Mothers' Day.

Moms, our society does not value the role of motherhood but promotes a self-serving attitude in women. Are you willing to agree with society’s thinking? Think about it. What is more important than the task of nurturing and instructing your own children in the Lord? 

Honor the Lord by taking very seriously your honorable God-given role as mother.

Mark Stinnett

May 10, 2026

Two Dads Are Just Fine??

The statement was displayed on a digital marquee in front of a local church building. I had to slow down and look again wondering if I had read it correctly at first. (You might want to sit down for this one.) The digital message came across in two parts:
   Jesus had two dads…
   And He turned out fine.

What were they thinking!? What were they trying to say!? Were they implying that Jesus was brought up in a home with a same-sex marriage!?

I paused and wondered if I had overreacted or misunderstood at first. I began thinking of plausible explanations for making such a statement. There were none.

The fact that we are currently living in a social and religious climate of tolerance toward homosexuality and same-sex marriage cannot be overlooked. Had the message been posted at another time, perhaps it would have suggested something different, but that is not the case.

So, I wondered whether the person posting the message intended for it to be understood in the context of same-sex marriage, or if perhaps he/she was simply trying to wake people up, initiate dialogue, or use sarcasm. Though trying to give the author the benefit of the doubt, I could not think of any reason that a person would post such a message. My conclusion was that the author was, at best, naïve or, at worst, foolish or insensitive.

I checked in with my teenage daughters: “What!? That’s terrible!” and “Are you kidding me!?” were their replies. My wife made a similar reply; so also a couple of friends. They all, like me, understood the message to promote tolerance for same-sex marriage.

Without a broader context the statement is sure to be understood in light of the current social and religious climate of tolerance. So, within this context, what does the ‘two dads’ statement imply?

• Jesus grew up in a home with two dads.
• ‘Two dads’ implies a same-sex marriage.
• Growing up in a home with ‘two dads’ has no adverse affect on kids. So, same-sex marriage is OK.
• Kids brought up in a home with a same-sex marriage might even turn out like Jesus.

Do you see the gross errors in the conclusion of the original statement? Even those who are tolerant of same-sex marriages should see the idiocy in the lack of reasoning. Consider:

• God and Joseph, the implied ‘two dads,’ were not married.
• God and Joseph were not even of the same nature. (God is spirit; Joseph was human.)
• Joseph was married to a woman, Mary, not God.
• Children who have ‘turned out fine’ do not indicate ‘fine parents.’ Some ‘turn out fine’ in spite of terrible parenting or difficult circumstances.

Christians, there are many things being written and spoken about same-sex marriage and homosexual relationships. Guard yourself from foolish statements like this one that pervert the truth and pull God down to the level of sinful man. Do not be naïve about gross misapplications of biblical truth by words that are cleverly pieced together in order to suggest contrived conclusions. The ‘two dads’ statement is misleading, to say the least. Not only do such statements fly in the face of common sense, they can draw you away from Jesus by confusing you with clever words. 

Be alert!

Mark Stinnett

May 3, 2026

A Reliable Witness??

I was recommended a book a few of years ago in which the author praised his new-found resource that had given him a deeper understanding of the Bible. He went on to talk about his time spent conversing about the Scriptures with Jewish acquaintances.

I have noticed several biblical resources that approach the Scriptures, even the New Testament, from a Jewish point of view. Does that seem odd, a Jewish perspective on the New Testament?

This is not a criticism, but what kind of biblical understanding I should expect from a person who has rejected Jesus as the Christ, and who embraces interpretations of the Old Testament handed down over the centuries.

Those of the Jewish faith can say truthful things. Yet, Jesus rejected the traditions of the Jewish elders of His day. At the same time, the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day rejected Him and demanded His death. I don’t think the best teacher for a believer in Christ is someone who rejects Jesus as the Christ.

A while back I purchased a new Study Bible. I asked a friend of mine to look it over and give me his opinion. He alerted me to the fact that the primary author of the notes on the Old Testament regarded the Bible as nothing more than ancient literature. The author of the notes believed the message of the Old Testament to be metaphor, not composed of genuine historical content. I would not count that scholar to be a reliable teacher.

Yet, does it really matter?
“YES!” Your source of information has always mattered to God!

Do you know why Jesus rebuked and silenced the demons who correctly and openly identified Him as the Holy One of God (Luke 4:34-35)?

Do you know why Paul rebuked the girl with a spirit of divination who correctly identified him and his missionary companions as bond-servants of the Most High God (Acts 16:16-18)?

Those spirits were described as unclean, evil and demonic. They were not considered to be reliable teachers. They may have been able to say something truthful, but they would not be reliable witnesses in all things. They were not in pursuit of the will of God.

• Will a believer of the Jewish faith lead you to Jesus Christ?
• Will an expert in ancient literature point you to the resurrected Jesus?
• Will a proclaimed believer who openly rebels against God’s word give you enlightenment regarding God and His word?
• Will a sincerely religious person who denies that Jesus is the Son of God be able to take you into the depths of God’s wisdom?
• Will a non-believer strengthen your faith in God and encourage your heart toward your eternal hope?

Is truth important to you? Do you desire a strong faith and a fulfilled hope (expectation)?

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

--Romans 10:17

Paul wrote of the hidden wisdom of God:

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

--1 Corinthians 2:10

We don’t need a Jewish perspective or a scholarly point of view. 

We have the Spirit of God.


Mark Stinnett

April 26, 2026

Fruit: From a Horticulturist

(The following was adapted from a conversation with friend who is a horticulturist. Her insights are presented followed by my own thoughts in italics.)

Growing fruit costs a plant an enormous amount of energy. Compare the amount of calories/energy in an apple with the leaves and bark of an apple tree, the latter leaving a terrible taste and few calories gained. More energy, flavor, scent, design and color go into the fruit than the rest of the plant. Plants are designed for their fruit to be taken to where it can multiply and grow. It doesn't matter that energy is hard to come by, photosynthesis being the only source. Plants that live year after year store energy to survive the winter dormancy and come back in the spring, but fruit and its seeds are the major channel into which collected energy is funneled.

This illustrates the principle taught by Jesus in the parable of the lost sheep in which a shepherd took great risks to find a lost sheep. God has given great energy and cost to save mankind from sin. How much energy, time, and money will we give for lost sheep?

Fruit is a vehicle for seeds: future plants. While the plant spends an enormous amount of energy on its fruit, the fruit is simply a means of transportation for seeds. The plant's 'goal' by producing fruit is to provide opportunities for more plants like itself to germinate and grow. The fruit itself is used up in the process, eaten or decomposed. Ultimately, a germinated seed is the result of a 'successful' fruit.

Did you ever think of yourself as the fruit of someone else’s efforts in the Lord? While you are directly connected to the vine (the Lord) others have taught, provided examples, and encouraged you. God used other Christians to plant seeds of Christianity in the ‘soil of your heart.’ You, in turn, are constantly dropping seeds on the many types of soil around you. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV) Do your part in the kingdom of God.

The plant has no control over which fruit/seed becomes another plant. Plants are not concerned with which specific fruit/seeds are successful. They focus on producing as much good fruit/seeds as they can. The more fruit/seeds the plant produces, the better chance that some survive.

Do you try to evaluate the ‘soil’ of other people’s hearts? Jesus didn’t. He preached, taught, healed, and helped all kinds of people. He never looked at someone and decided that they were not a good ‘prospect.’ He simply planted seeds. The Apostle Paul said that he adapted himself to different circumstances in order that he might win some to Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 9:19.)

There are many kinds of fruit. Each plant species produces a different kind of fruit. Each is well-adapted to its environment and designed specifically to be carried by a certain means. Whether by animal, wind, water, or person, each fruit/seed has a successful but often unique way of traveling and becoming a new plant.

You are the ‘touch of Christ’ in your world. You touch your family, friends, fellow Christians, coworkers, neighborhood acquaintances, and many others in a unique way. Just as the Apostle Paul was uniquely suited to carry the gospel to the Gentile world, you may be uniquely suited to plant the seed of God’s word in someone’s heart.

Like nature, our task is not to analyze conditions, past success, or probable future success. God simply asks us to plant and water the seeds of His word. He will provide growth where the soil of the heart is fertile. For now, it is springtime in the kingdom of God, a time for planting and watering.


Mark Stinnett

April 19, 2026

Pick and Choose?

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The truth of God’s word is not dependent upon human compliance.

In God’s word are many instructions regarding life and living. Some are more about an individual’s response to God while others lean more to the way we interact with each other. Whatever the instruction, nothing changes in God’s words if you comply or if you rebel. His instruction remains.

Let me show you an example of what I am thinking about with a statement passed around in recent months on social media. I do not know its source although it is attributed to Rev. Benjamin Cremer. I don’t know if this person really exists, and if so, if he actually said/wrote this. Nevertheless, this quotation and ones like it flood the minds of modern readers.

“If you take the Bible extremely literally about human sexuality, but not about feeding the hungry, bringing good news to the poor, liberating the oppressed, forgiving debts, bringing health to the sick, or loving your neighbor, please don’t act like you take the Bible seriously.”

That sounds good, right? It sounds good and right! Surely, anyone who takes the Bible seriously must be serious about those good works. And yet, you might already see the slight of hand the author attempts.

The author of the quotation has isolated two general activities and set them against each other. On the one hand is ’human sexuality,’ which might be placed in the broad category of holiness. It is about one’s moral response to God. We might even say that it is addressed by the first great command, to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

On the other hand there are ‘acts of service,’ which might be placed in the broad category of love. It is about one’s love for one’s fellow man, something addressed in the second great command.

One of the reasons this quotation sounds as if it is the moral high ground is because the Bible contains something similar. In 1 John 3:17 we read...

Whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

However, let’s flip the original quotation upside down:

“If you take the Bible extremely literally about feeding the hungry, bringing good news to the poor, liberating the oppressed, forgiving debts, bringing health to the sick, or loving your neighbor but not about human sexuality, please don’t act like you take the Bible seriously.”

The way the original quotation reads, morality is set against loving service as if service is superior to morality. Yet, in the second modified version, loving service is set against morality as if morality is superior. Reduced down, both versions ultimately present tension between the first great command and the second. In reality, both commands come from God and do not compete. The second command is developed from the first and complements it.

If we look deeper, both commands are rooted in the character of God. God is holy and demands that we live our lives in holiness and purity. At the same time, God is love and He demands that we live our lives in love and service. In God there is no tension between holiness and love. God is holy in all his decisions and actions and, at the same time, He always acts in love.

So, do you need to love others through service? Absolutely. And also, do you need to maintain holiness through purity in your sexuality and all other aspects of life? Absolutely. Christianity is not a pick and choose menu. You are either a disciple of Jesus in every aspect of your life, or you are not a disciple.

Mark Stinnett

April 12, 2026

All Joked Up!

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His lessons were uplifting, a rich sustaining spiritual feast from God’s word. That was the first time I heard him preach. Then, a few years later, something had changed. He didn’t preach, he just entertained. We opened our Bibles, but the ‘lessons’ were filled with jokes and amusing stories.

• "Well, that’s like the man who…” (one liner) LOL
• “And that reminds me of the little girl who…” (joke) LOL
• “On one occasion when my boys were little….” (Illustration or just another funny? Hard to tell.) LOL

A friend’s daughter tallied 15 ‘funnies’ during the first half of the ‘sermon’ and then lost count. (Compare that to a late night talk show host who begins with a 4-5 minute monologue of humor.)

Jesus: jokester??

John: personal anecdotes??

Peter: one-liners??

Where was Paul’s amusing introduction to draw the crowd’s attention!?

“Jesus taught by telling stories,” we have been told. Yet how do the ‘stories’ that Jesus told compare to the stories told by preachers today? I have never once heard a preacher tell anything like the parables of Jesus that contain inexhaustible spiritual riches.

Almost 2,000 years ago Paul described our times:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. 

--2 Timothy 4:3

Too many times I have heard people remember the jokes and stories that preachers tell, yet forget the sermon content. Illustrations can be meaningful and might be amusing. However, when the humor distracts from God’s word, divine truth becomes secondary and is rendered ineffective.

Consider Peter’s words in 2 Peter 1:12-15

I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. (v. 12)

Read through the first 11 verses to identify “these things.” He was not interested in new or clever or funny. Rather, he was always ready to remind them of things they already knew to establish them in the truth.

I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder. (v. 13)

What did Peter use to stir the people up?

He remind them of what they already knew. It was the right thing to do.

And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. (v. 15)

Peter was not interested in his audience getting all joked up. His goal was that they would remember, remember, remember the divine truth of God’s word after he was gone.

Given the choice of what to remember, choose the truth being taught instead of the illustration. Remember the Bible class lesson better than you remember the teacher’s personal anecdotes. Remember the content of the sermon rooted in God’s word instead of the name of the preacher.

What is your preference: God’s word preached or man’s entertainment?

Mark Stinnett

April 5, 2026

Searching for What Cannot Be Found

A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds none,

But knowledge is easy to him who has understanding.

--Proverbs 14:6

Why is this proverb true?

How is it that a person could actually search for the very thing that God wishes for him to have, yet not find it?

Take a look at these proverbs about the scoffer:

"Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are his names,

Who acts with insolent pride.

--Proverbs 21:24

"How long, O naive ones, will you love simplicity?

And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing,

And fools hate knowledge?

--Proverbs 1:22

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,

And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.

--Proverbs 9:7

Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you,

Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

--Proverbs 9:8

A wise son accepts his father's discipline,

But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

--Proverbs 13:1

A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,

He will not go to the wise.

--Proverbs 15:12

Do you see the character of the scoffer? 

Do you see his character flaws?

The scoffer is filled with pride. He is consumed with himself. He looks down on others. 

• His knowledge is superior or, at least, sufficient.
• His experience is superior, or, at least, sufficient.
• His ideas are superior, or, at least, sufficient. 

You cannot tell the scoffer anything; he needs no counsel, no advice. He does not listen to correction. He cannot be corrected. A term used in our day that may describe the scoffer is ‘narcissist.’

Go back and read the first chapter of the book of Proverbs. The purpose of the book is to impart wisdom. Yet, what is one of the keys to gaining wisdom?

Over and over and over, Solomon begs his son to listen! One who listens, truly listens, must exhibit humility. He must acknowledge that he is not sufficient within himself. He must be open to instruction, criticism, and correction.

The scoffer searches for wisdom but the very thing he needs stands in opposition to his character. He needs humility in order to listen but opposes it by his own pride.
Do you need proof?
Just read this to a scoffer.

Be wise.
Be humble.

Listen.

Mark Stinnett

March 29, 2026

Fat Soul

Even in our tolerant society, describing someone as fat is usually perceived in a negative sense. It is just not polite to refer to someone as ‘fat.’

However, in the Hebrew language of the Old Testament ’fat’ was sometimes used to communicate fullness or satisfaction or good health. That was Solomon’s meaning in a proverb contrasting laziness and diligence:

(Made with Hotpot AI Image Generator)

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,

But the soul of the diligent is made fat. 

--Proverbs 13:4

Humans understand cravings.

I once worked in an office setting in which a few of us would take our lunch together. We never watched the clock because one of my coworkers had an internal ‘lunch clock’ that went off at exactly 11:30 every day. He would pop up out of his chair, exit his office, stand in my doorway and “Ding, ding, ding!” an imaginary triangle. It was chow time.

We understand cravings. But what does the 'soul' crave?

A human being is made of body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Each aspect of the human being has its own cravings.

The 'body' craves food and drink, climate controlled environments, general comfort without pain, good health and a measure of strength, good looks, sexual satisfaction, rest, and maybe other things.

The 'spirit' consists of the intellect, emotion and the human will. There are cravings associated with each aspect of our spirit. The spirit craves knowledge and understanding, happiness and emotional stability, success and a sense of accomplishment, desires representing each of the three primary aspects of the spirit.

The human 'soul' is the ‘self.’ When God created mankind, He made man a “living soul.” The soul IS the person that you are. Your parents named your soul, not your body. When you refer to yourself you are referring to your soul. When someone calls your name, it is your soul being addressed. Your soul possesses your body and your spirit.

The soul is that aspect of your being that makes the ultimate choices in your life. Your body and spirit are influencers of the soul. Of course, the soul may allow the body to take charge; may allow the spirit to take charge. In general, these are poor choices because the body and spirit are generally interested only in satisfying the natural cravings they each perceive.

The proverb contrasts a soul lacking self-control with a disciplined soul. The soul desires something, presumably something good. Yet, lacking self-control, the lazy soul does not act. The ‘wanting’ is present, but the soul is weak and gives in to the influences of the body or the spirit.

However, the soul has the capacity to rule the body and refrain from giving in to its cravings. That is how a person curbs his appetite, engages in undesirable exercise, etc. The soul also has the capacity to quiet the cravings of the spirit. It is a matter of recognizing that which is of real importance and then accepting that as the greater value.

When the soul is diligent in pursuing things of real value, it engages self-control over the cravings of body and spirit. The result is a fat soul, that is, a soul that is satisfied or full, a soul fulfilling the more valuable choice. 

In the Proverbs the more valuable choices are wisdom, righteousness, justice, kindness, responsibility, etc. These are all characteristics of God. It sounds odd, but you should ‘fatten yourself’ on God’s character. 

Be wise.

Mark Stinnett

March 22, 2026

They Predicted...

They predicted…

• 09/23/2017—The beginning of the end times.
• 05/14/2019—The rapture begins no later than this date.
• 01/06/2025—Notice received that ‘end time’ event is dead ahead.

Many other dates from the past with similar results could be added.

Many other future dates will likely be able to be added to this list.

There seems to be an unending parade of predictions by today’s self-proclaimed prophets. Yet another prediction came to our church email account on August 15, 2024 predicting “OUR Strange FIERY TRIAL.”

After skimming dozens of pages of difficult writing (because of excessive use of multi-colored text and highlighting, and other formatting features), I finally discovered what he meant by ‘Our Strange Fiery Trial.’ Piecing together numerous parts of prophecies in the Bible he concluded that the United States was in trouble with God and would fall on February 17, 2026.

I decided not to spend any more time trying to understand his calculations. Rather, I followed the advice God gave to Israel when they encountered people who prophesied about the future:

Whenever a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, and the oracle does not come about or the word is not fulfilled, then the Lord has not spoken it. The prophet will have spoken presumptuously, so you need not fear him. 

--Deuteronomy 18:22

I marked the date on my phone calendar app with a notice appearing the day before. That date, 02/17/2026, has come and gone with no change.

The man took snippets of passages from all over the Bible and then joined them together to make his prediction. He justified his method by using a prophecy in Isaiah that suggested that God’s word was given “line upon line, here a little, there a little” (28:13). In other words, the interpretation of God’s word is not based on the context of the passage, but discerning how to piece clues together from many disjointed passages.

Though citing New Testament verses that emphasized that we do not know the date and time of God’s judgment, he reasoned that God’s people should be able to discern dates and times while others cannot do so. And yet, Jesus did not single out one group that would know when a warning was to be fulfilled while another group would not know. We simply do not know when God’s judgment will come. Rather, we are taught to be ready.

If the U.S. had fallen on 02/17/2026, I might be reading his papers more carefully to understand how he arrived at his conclusions. But his doomsday forecast failed. He is yet another false prophet.

The Apostle John wrote, “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) Do you know how to test the spirits? John was referring to the things people speak in the name of God. Some things spoken are truth and some are error. The only way we will know the difference is by comparing the things spoken by man with the things God’s has revealed in His holy word.

A person who claims to speak for God is trustworthy only if the things spoken accord with the things God has already revealed. That is how we know truth from error. If someone claims to know something about the future that is not clearly revealed in Scripture, just wait. Time will reveal whether they have spoken from God. So, don’t be deceived by the false prophets of our day. Keep your focus on God’s word. It is relevant still today.

Mark Stinnett

March 15, 2026