The Tendency Where Catholics Living in Sin Are STILL ALLOWED to be ACTIVE in Their Respective Parishes

As a former Catholic, it’s easier for me to talk about the abuses of my former religion than it is about Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) abuses. I believe that there are still good IFB churches out there. Meanwhile, IFB churches ran with the mentality of the late Jack Hyles end up having those abuses. People who experienced abusive IFB pastors can speak more about it better than I could. I’m also sickened by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) cover-ups. What amazes me though is how some Catholics have this double standard. An evil pastor of Satan sins and they trumpet it. Meanwhile, the Catholic priest sins (or their own member), and there’s that attempt to cover it up. What’s the use of talking about cover-ups in the Hyles churches when they too are guilty of it? Don’t criticize sexually immoral pastors if you support the Vatican!

Trying to Explain Where Elijah’s Letter to Jehoram of Judah Fits In

It’s a sad thing when a righteous father begets a wicked son, right? If we had wicked fathers with good sons then the opposite happens. Jehoshaphat was a good king but made the serious mistake of an alliance with Ahab. Even worse, Jehoshaphat allowed his son Jehoram of Judah to marry the wicked Athaliah. We can read in 2 Chronicles 21 the bad influence that the House of Omri (or referred to as the House of Ahab alternatively) had on him. 2 Chronicles 21:6 says that Jehoram of Judah walked in the ways of the House of Ahab, because the daughter of Ahab, Athaliah, was his wife.

Ahaziah of Israel’s Demise

The House of Omri was beginning to fall. Such was the consequence of the unequal yoke. God would do anything to make sure that His own get disciplined, even deprive them of success. Jehoshaphat had a business deal with Ahaziah of Israel. The ships were soon sunk as God allowed. Later, 2 Kings 1 tells us the story of Ahaziah of Israel’s demise. This was Ahaziah, the brother of Athaliah and Jehoram of Israel. Both Jehoshaphat had a son named Jehoram. Athaliah’s husband was Jehoram of Judah. Athaliah would later name one of her sons after her brother.

Ever Felt Ash Wednesday Hypocrisy?

As I was doing my studies on the kings of Israel and Judah, I really failed to realize that Wednesday this week was Ash Wednesday 2023. I was suddenly reminded of Ahab’s so-called repentance before his untimely demise. As a former Roman Catholic turned born-again Christian, I really find Ash Wednesday really hypocritical. I still feel there are some Catholics out there who still insist on “different interpretations” and “same prayer” when it comes to both Catholics and those they call Protestants. I feel like writing this post since the Lenten season has indeed begun.

Jehoshaphat’s Faith, God’s Chastising and Mercy, and a National Crisis

2 Chronicles 20 talks about Jehoshaphat’s big national crisis. This was where two enemies, Moab and Ammon, joined forces. A little sin causes a lot of trouble, right? Genesis 19 talks about the sad affair of Lot’s life. When Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, we had Lot and only his two daughters came out. Soon enough, Genesis 19 :31 has it that the older daughter gave the wicked suggestion of reproducing children with their own father. They apparently thought it was worldwide destruction resulting in two children out of incest. These children were named Moab and Benammi. Benammi’s descendants were the Ammonites. Moab, well, the Moabites. The Moabites did also take over Israel in Judges 3:12. Eglon was known to be a wicked king. Fortunately, Ruth was saved out of Moab’s idolatry. Still, we know that Moab was very wicked.

Jehoshaphat Chastised by Financial Loss

While doing a study on the kings of Israel and Judah, I revisited an old devotional entry. It was some time in January when I felt I could’ve written it. Instead, I decided to write it just now. We can talk about righteous Jehoshaphat and how prosperity led to folly. Jehoshaphat had wrongly allied with the family of Ahab, took Athaliah a wicked woman as a daughter-in-law, and decided to go to try and recover Ramoth-Gilead. Jehoshaphat should’ve heeded Micaiah’s words not to go. Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet of Yahweh. Ironically, Jehoshaphat joined in a battle he should’ve not gotten into.

Valentine’s Day Commemorates Somebody’s Christian Martyrdom

It’s very easy to think or despair if one is either single or widowed on Valentine’s Day. Yet, if one’s complaining about being spouseless or single–somebody lost his head on February 14, 270 A.D. Yes, we’re talking about a real person named Valentine. I remembered how Ligonier.org stated that it might be a surprise there was a Nicholas of Myra. I guess that’s why some people who insist “Santa Claus is real!” are actually talking about a real dead person, not a magical man at the North Pole. The same can be true for Valentine himself.