Bible Study
Nana Dolce
Why We Remember Lot’s Wife

Lot’s wife belonged to a family with a great name and trust in God’s promises. She even had angels visit her home! God sent them to personally escort her from His coming wrath to His safety (Gen.19:1-22). Yet, she fell into eternal judgment because she looked back to her life in Sodom. She longed to preserve what she had and became a pillar of salt–a crystalline substance used for preservation (Gen. 19:26). Friends, Jesus is kind to warns us in Luke 17:32-33: “Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.”

Why We Remember Lot’s Wife
Bible Study, The Gospel
Nana Dolce
Prayers Rising Like a Sweet Aroma

Cornelius’ conversion account can teach us many things about the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles in the first century church. We see in this story that God’s salvation through Christ is for all the families of the earth. God shows no partiality but comes to redeem people from all nations. All this is true. But my focus today is on that small line in verse four. It makes me wonder: what if my service and prayers to God were like a memorial offering rising up as a pleasing aroma before His throne? 

Prayers Rising Like a Sweet Aroma
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Christians: Clean Saints with Dirty Feet

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Christians: Clean Saints with Dirty Feet

In other words, atonement of sin is settled for those whose trust is in Christ alone. So then God doesn’t love you less when you sin today and more when you obey tomorrow. Instead He loves you because you are His—an adopted son/daughter, made clean through His Son and sealed and preserved by His Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14).

But what of your persistent sins? Here, we find that Christ still washes the feet of His disciples. What do I mean? “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean” (John 13:10). Those justified in Christ are Simul Justus et Peccator—at the same time just (or righteous) and sinner. We are positioned in Christ and are seen by God through His imputed righteousness yet inherently we sin. We are clean saints with dirty feet. But just as our justification is achieved by God alone, so is our sanctification enabled by Him alone.

A Time to Speak and a Time to Love Neighbors like they Matter

A Time to Speak and a Time to Love Neighbors like they Matter

My husband and I live east of the Anacostia River in Washington D.C. The area, roughly 20 square miles in size, is over 90 percent black. A single IHOP and a Denny’s serve as its major full-service restaurants. There are no high-end department stores, but discount clothing and dollar stores can be found. There are no movie theaters, few parks, and a dusting of grocery stores. There are no colleges, but plenty of liquor stores.

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The Hebrew Midwives: God Chooses what is Low and Despised

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The Hebrew Midwives: God Chooses what is Low and Despised

Shiphrah and Puah would represent Pharaoh’s deadly hands in the delivery room, waiting to smother sons and God’s promised offspring to Abraham. This was a vile task to assign to midwives. Yet how could they possibly refuse the king of Egypt? Afterall, he was meant to be feared, right?

Invading the Ordinary: What my Kids & a Refrigerator Door Taught Me about Christmas

Invading the Ordinary: What my Kids & a Refrigerator Door Taught Me about Christmas

At Christmas time, I can’t help but think of the God Who came and walked in the shoes of another.  Of course, God didn’t have to investigate our lives out of a lack of knowledge on His part.  But rather, the incarnation of Christ was so that a Man could fulfill the requirements of God’s law by His perfect obedience and take upon Himself the punishment for our evil acts (Hebrews 2:17-18, Isaiah 53:4-5).  Thusly, as a man He could usher in life and peace by way of His perfect obedience just as the earlier man (Adam) had ushered in death and enmity with God by way of his sin (Romans 5:18-19). 

The Glorious Condescension of the Incarnation

I had the pleasure of writing a Christmas post for the Reformed African American Network. You can find the article, entitled the Glorious Condescension of the Incarnation, here. Hope you are able to read.

May the Lord bless you as you gaze on the glorious mystery of the incarnation this advent season. Be astounded by the humility of our LORD and adore Him!

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Tamar: God’s Wrath and Imputed Righteousness

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Tamar: God’s Wrath and Imputed Righteousness

The outcast Tamar was languishing away from God’s covenant family because of superstition and neglect of duty. God had promised to bless Abraham and his offspring (Gen. 12:1-3). This blessing would extend to all the families of the earth—as far as the curse is found. We caught a glimpse of this when God sustained Hagar and her boy for Abraham’s sake (Gen. 21:13, 20). Would this blessing stretch to Tamar too?

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Rachel, the Infertility of a Desperate Housewife

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Rachel, the Infertility of a Desperate Housewife

Thoughts of pregnancy must have consumed Rachel. Each month brought a fresh hope and then the bloody reality of her emptiness. I can’t help but remember God’s poem to Woman: “In pain you shall bring forth children.” The pain of Genesis 3:16 includes infertility as much as it does labor contractions. The effects of the Fall are here—but so is God’s mercy.

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Dear Wormwood: Screwtape’s Letter on Bible Study

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Dear Wormwood: Screwtape’s Letter on Bible Study

My Dear Wormwood,

You report in your last letter that your patient intends to purchase a “good study bible” with the determination to begin regular readings in the New Year. My dear nephew, calm yourself, as you seem rather troubled by this decision. If well managed, there is no cause for concern. You fail to remember the countless patients, firmly in the grip of Our Father Below, who own multiple copies of that dreadful Ancient Book!

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Leah’s Eyes were Weak but her God was Strong

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Leah’s Eyes were Weak but her God was Strong

Leah was a third wheel in her own household. Her husband slept with her but didn’t honor her with love. What tears those weak eyes must have shed! Jacob didn’t regard her—but God saw her. The giver of life enabled her to bear six sons and at least one daughter, Dinah (Gen. 30:19-21). The names of her sons are telling. They testify to her hope and her great suffering.

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1.4 Million Ebola Cases Estimated for January. Are You Praying?

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1.4 Million Ebola Cases Estimated for January. Are You Praying?

As I write, some 3,400 persons have died from the outbreak – leaving families in dismay and children orphaned and stigmatized. Worse still, the virus continues to spread uncontained. The CDC estimates 1.4 million Ebola cases by the end of January! They see no end to the outbreak at present.

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Rebekah and the "Happily Ever After" We Crave

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Rebekah and the "Happily Ever After" We Crave

There should have been a “happily-ever-after” ending to Rebekah’s story. Rather, the author tells the account—not as a fairy tale but—as the drama of a post-Genesis 3 family. There’s discord in marriage, favoritism among parents, sibling rivalry, crafty lies, and threats of death. The deception that began in Eden crept its way to Genesis 24-28 and into Rebekah’s family. But the God of Eden is also in these chapters.

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If Steve Jobs Limited Screen Time for His Kids, Why don't I?

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If Steve Jobs Limited Screen Time for His Kids, Why don't I?

We know well the dangers of careless technology usage. I don’t need to over-stress the possible addiction to devices, exposure to pornography, and just wasted time and missed opportunities for family engagement. These are perilous times for children and parents. God forbid then that we impulsively treat our devices as “go-to babysitters” when pressured for time.

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The Incest of Lot & his Daughters: Culture as a Schoolmaster

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The Incest of Lot & his Daughters: Culture as a Schoolmaster

There is a subtle voice in our culture that tells parents not to press children too hard in any belief system. “It’s best that they choose for themselves,” this worldview says. The advice is given while culture itself remains busy in the evangelization of young hearts and minds.

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Warning to Self: Don’t Make your Child your Idol

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Warning to Self: Don’t Make your Child your Idol

I love my children easily and naturally and of course there is nothing wrong with that. But I also have a heart that is desperately idolatrous and prone to leave the God I love. Whenever I place my full satisfaction in something created, whenever I wholly delight my mind in something made, whenever I wrap my value and identity in someone or something apart from Christ, I have molded an idol.  And sadly, these self-made gods are easily made; evidence of the residual effects of sin that dwell even in the justified heart (Romans 7:14-25).

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Christian Persecution & Psalm 23

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Christian Persecution & Psalm 23

Today, I remember the Good Shepherd in light of the persecuted church. As I write, thousands of Iraqi Christians are displaced; threatened by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants to either abandon home, convert to Islam, or face death. Many roam today as refugees in Mosul without the promise of food or shelter.

In Northern Nigeria, the Islamic militant group, Boko Haram, continues to bomb churches, murder Christians and abduct girls for forced marriages. Christians there are living under the constant threat of death – they are indeed sheep trailing through the valley of the shadow of death!

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Remember Lot’s Wife - and Gaze on Christ alone as Savior

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Remember Lot’s Wife - and Gaze on Christ alone as Savior

Lot’s wife was surrounded by men and women of faith. She witnessed God’s work through the lives of these others – and even had angles stay in her home, later escorting her personally to safety (Genesis 19:1-22)! Yet she falls into eternal judgment for her gaze was on her possessions and her life in Sodom rather than on the Savior. The Lord Jesus uses this woman as an example in Luke 17:29-32. He states that when judgment comes, remember Lot’s wife, for whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it but whoever loses his life will keep it.

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The Fear of Death and the Fear of a Wasted Life

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The Fear of Death and the Fear of a Wasted Life

My prayer today then is to have an attitude like that of Calvin’s – a disposition that fears a wasted life over death. I want to do well for the Lord – an alert and useful servant who keeps a lamp burning and whose Master finds her dressed in the hour of His need (Luke 12:35-40). My prayer is that my heart would not be captured by dissipation, distractions, and the cares of life but would be consumed by a love for Christ (Luke 21:34). How ever many years there might be for me, I want to live each one jealously for His glory.

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If you’re Hungry to Consume the Word, God is Gracious to Feed

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If you’re Hungry to Consume the Word, God is Gracious to Feed

I believed myself a Christian long before I was. I grew up attending church, affirming the existence of God, and even praying to the Lord Jesus but there was nothing much beyond this. I had no affection for Christ: no true worship; no fervency in prayer; no hunger for His Word. Was I wild and unruly? Not at all. I was motivated to do well in school and so made straight A’s. I was eager to please at home and so assisted in the care of younger siblings. I enjoyed simple contemplation and so read volumes of Jane Austen in quiet corners. I was even made an example by some as a good girl – but saved I was not.

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The God who Sees Me: the Opening of Hagar's Eyes

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The God who Sees Me: the Opening of Hagar's Eyes

Those who look upon the God of Israel in trust are given sight to see the Living One who sees them. But those who trust in idols become as unseeing as their gods. In Hagar, we see the Living One who graciously opens the eyes of sinners—whoever they may be.

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God's Grace to a Pharisee like Me

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God's Grace to a Pharisee like Me

I would have been a good monk and a great Pharisee. I like rules. I like order. I like disciplining myself, especially if it brings the commendation of others, particularly those in authority. This inclination is constant and often reveals itself in self-judgment. I can be hard on myself—all the while justifying my strict tendencies as a desire for progressive sanctification. But even godly pursuits can be perverted if not seen in light of the gospel.