Oct 07
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologians who died under Nazi persecution wrote this in his book Life Together. “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God, who will thwart our plans and frustrate our ways time and again, even daily, by sending people across our path with their demands and requests. We …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/allowing-god-to-interrupt-your-life/
May 10
I have been studying James 4 again. As I worked through translating it with a couple of friends and prepared sermons on the passage I have been struck with an overall theme of submitting to God. Previously, I had focused on the specific instructions and practical advice given. Things like warnings against worldliness, the need …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-challenge-to-live-in-gods-will/
Feb 19
Classic love stories like Romeo and Juliet focus on how the lovers cannot live without one another. I think of the famous line from Last of the Mohican’s, when Nathaniel says before leaving his love Cora, “You survive. You stay alive no matter what occurs. I will find you . . no matter how long …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/god-yearns-for-your-love/
Oct 28
First Samuel chapters 4-6 tell the story of the Ark of God getting passed around from group to group all in an attempt to use God for their personal benefit. First, Israel brings the Ark out for a battle against the Philistines. They lose because of their wickedness and the ark is stolen. The Philistines …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/god-is-not-to-be-used-but-served/
Oct 11
There is tremendous talk about mass shootings these days, and rightly so. While the problem is multifaceted, the root goes back to the individual’s beliefs. This is one product of a larger problem, we as a nation are raising thousands of individuals who do not know who they are! They have been fed a message …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-image-of-god-what-does-it-mean/
Jun 07
The Lord lives!” declares David.¹ I believe and know that He does. If I could share a message with everyone about Him, I would want them to know these three things about God. 1. God is the Creator and Sustainer of life! “Scientists themselves who calculate the odds of the universe coming into existence by …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/what-i-wish-everybody-knew-about-god/
Mar 22
Are you cheating on God? What I am asking is: Are you giving him the loyalty, devotion, and service He deserves? People in Malachi were cheating God (1:6-14; 3:8-10). The Laodiceans were cheating God by being lukewarm in their faith (Rev. 3:15-21). The rich young ruler was cheating God with his money (Mat. 19:19-22). …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-lies-we-tell-ourselves-when-we-cheat-on-god/
Feb 19
For the last year I have put Caleb, our youngest down to sleep each night. Don’t think I am the greatest dad ever, I probably wouldn’t do this every night if he didn’t do better for me than Amanda. You see, he likes her more! This really isn’t up for debate, in fact, he likes …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/thinking-about-god-while-singing-lullabies-to-caleb/
Sep 11
This is the solemn anniversary of one of our great national tragedies. It has come to be represented with three numerals – 9-1-1. It is hard to believe it has been 13 years since that terrible September morning. Yet here in 2014, we continue to see more terroristic threats. Recently we have all been appalled at …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/because-of-who-their-god-is/
Jan 27
At Seven Oaks we are studying some of the names of God from the Old Testament. This past Sunday was on the name El Shaddai – “God Almighty.” When I was preparing for the sermon, I researched the times the term was used either as “God Almighty” or simply “Almighty.” It was used some 48 …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/you-need-the-almighty-when-suffering/
