May 02
Ananias asked Paul an important question, “And now why do you wait?” (Acts 22:16). What a wonderful question to consider. Why are you waiting to be saved? Why are you waiting to give your life to Christ through belief (John 3:16), repentance (Luke 13:3), confession (Rom. 10:9-10), and baptism (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16)? Let’s consider …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/reasons-people-delay-salvation/
Apr 16
I had a solid white male lamb die unexpectedly this past week. He appeared to be a perfect little lamb without spot or blemish. But he died. He lay on a clump of hay. His lifeless body in the exposed sun motionless. From a distance he looked like he was just taking a nap in …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-dead-lamb/
Mar 21
Change is extremely difficult. Consider this excerpt from the book Designed to Lead. “Roughly six hundred thousand people have heart bypass each year in the United States. These patients are told they must change. They must change their eating habits, must exercise, and quit smoking and drinking. If they do not, they will die. The …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/americas-hatred-for-personal-change/
Feb 21
She was new to town. My wife struck up a personal conversation with her welcoming her to town. Soon into the conversation my wife invited her to worship with us. Her invitation was quickly rebuffed, as the kind mother of young children said something like, “I don’t like the Bible Belt culture and I’m not …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/dont-tell-me-im-going-to-hell/
Apr 12
Imagine you were given a blank canvas and asked to paint a portrait of your soul. What would you paint? You may choose to use bright and vibrant colors, or you may paint with shadowy, dark colors. You may paint a peaceful meadow scene or slow moving river in the mountains to symbolize your …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/your-souls-portrait/
Jan 31
Some truths in the Bible are just plain scary! They need to be soberly considered. Take Jesus’ telling of the rich man and Lazarus story in Luke 16:19-31. Christ pulls back the veil beyond the grave and allows us to see beyond it. Lazarus, a poor beggar who suffered greatly in this life, is contrasted …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/living-knowing-you-will-remember/
Apr 13
We hear regularly about how God is so loving and patient. In modern American Christianity, God is extolled for his great love, patience, and kindness. His forgiveness and mercy are trumpeted from the water cooler to the pulpit. But for the most part, people live like they want to live, indulging in selfishness and sin, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/one-big-thing-the-world-misses-about-god/
Mar 03
People love the cross; and well we should! The cross is our only hope for boasting and pride!¹ It is through the cross of Christ that we are saved. It is that old rugged cross that held the Savior of the world between heaven and earth to reconcile us back to God. But sadly many …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/why-you-cant-love-the-cross-and-reject-the-church/
Jan 29
Sheriff Mike Chitwood of Volusia County, Florida was caught by one of his own deputies going 78 mph in a 55 mph zone. The deputy realized who he had stopped and declined to give his boss a ticket. When the sheriff reflected on the incident and his own example, he went back to the deputy and asked …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/no-one-is-above-the-law/
Sep 22
We love the expression, “Jesus a friend to sinners.” We have popularized it in songs and it appeals to our need of his love. But it was originally applied by his enemies who were accusing him of sin.¹ What does this expression mean for our lives today? It does not mean . . . Certainly …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/jesus-a-friend-to-sinners-what-does-it-mean/
