Skip to main content
search
All Posts By

Adam Dooley

Mar 04
Love0

Should Christians Fast?

By Prayer, Sanctification No Comments

Mention the word “fast” today and the conversation might turn to the speed of light, the stride of a cheetah, or someone’s internet connection. Refusing to eat, however, is usually the furthest thing from our minds. In his book, The Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster says that in a land filled with Golden Arches and pizza temples it seems strange to talk about fasting.

Surprisingly, though, Scripture has much to say about the spiritual benefits of taking a break from food. The practice was so familiar to Jewish believers that they incorporated civic fasts into their New Year celebrations, Day of Atonement observances, and national tragedy commemorations. Though the concept is somewhat foreign to us, it was commonplace in ancient Israel. Fasting appears 75 times in the Bible, with 44 and 31 verses in the Old and New Testaments respectively.

You’ll find examples of fasts that lasted for three, seven, fourteen, twenty-one, and forty days in God’s Word, but the most common was from sunrise to sundown. Moses, David, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, and Ezra fasted under the Old Covenant. Likewise, John the Baptist, Paul, Barnabas, and Jesus Himself fasted though the Law was fulfilled. The early church continued seeking the Lord in this unique way after Jesus ascended back to heaven (Acts 13:2-3).

Christians throughout history, such as Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Spurgeon, have followed suit as well. America’s founding fathers on the Mayflower spent an entire day fasting and praying before coming ashore. Interestingly, Jesus introduces the subject by assuming that believers of all ages would continue the spiritual custom. He does not say, “If you fast . . .,” but “Whenever you fast . . .” while discussing the subject in His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:16).

So, what are the benefits of fasting today?

First, fasting helps us to humble ourselves before the Lord. Many have suggested that abstaining from television, social media, or internet surfing can be helpful, and I don’t disagree. But nothing reminds us of our constant need of and dependence upon the Lord like refraining from food for a period of time. King David identified fasting as his method for humbling his soul as he sought God. Hunger pains are a physical reminder for us to pray and lay our burdens before our Savior.

Second, fasting enables us to repent of sin and overcome weaknesses. Pride, greed, malice, and self-centeredness seem to melt away when we take time to focus on God apart from the busyness of life. When accompanied with weeping and mourning, fasting is a powerful means of sanctification that breaks the cycle of returning to temptations that plague us (Joel 2:12). Just as the people of Nineveh forsook their transgressions through a national fast and lament, we, too, ought to express genuine repentance through intentional restraint from eating.

Third, fasting is also an appropriate method for discerning the will of God. The Apostle Paul went from city to city appointing elders, but only after fasting and praying (Acts 14:23). Identifying God’s direction and pursuing it with diligence often only comes after the focus that accompanies this spiritual discipline. If you have a big decision ahead, you should definitely consider a fast.

Finally, fasting fosters greater intimacy with the Lord, unleashing His presence in our lives. Replacing time typically devoted to food preparation and consumption with increased focus on prayer and fellowship with God invites Him into our lives in a unique way. No wonder a widow privileged to see the baby Jesus in the temple prioritized fasting just as she did prayer (Luke 2:37). Anyone longing to experience God in fresh way will benefit from this sacred act of devotion.

How we fast, though, is just as important as our commitment to do so. To avoid hypocrisy, Jesus implored Christians to avoid drawing attention to themselves by altering their appearance (Matt. 6:16). Pharisees were notorious for fashioning old clothing, covering their heads in ashes, and wearing painful looks on their faces so that others would notice or ask if they were fasting. Such self-promotion defeats the purpose of seeking God in the first place.

Thus, Jesus instructs genuine believers to anoint their heads and wash their faces in order to avoid being noticed by others (Matt. 6:16-17). Make themselves presentable, in other words. Those who trumpet and parade their good works lose their reward as soon as the attention and applause of men stops.

Practically, consulting with your physician before an extended fast is always a good idea. In addition, a number of great resources, such as Ronnie Floyd’s The Supernatural Power of Prayer and Fasting, offer helpful guidance about the ins and outs of what to expect as you proceed. Be sure to devote extra time for prayer and Scripture reading during your fast. Why not start preparing today?

Adam B. Dooley
March 4, 2025

Feb 25
Love0

Is Christian Persecution Real?

By Faithfulness, Persecution, Trials No Comments

A recent sermon series through the Beatitudes struck a personal chord with me that I hope echoes throughout our congregation for months into the future. Speaking about life in the family of God, Jesus offers eight specific blessings for His followers that are admittedly counterintuitive. Perhaps the strangest of them all was His final promise, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:10).”

Reading these words left me asking, “Is Christian persecution real today?” If you listen to much western media you might get the impression that Christians do more persecuting than they receive. Progressive spin commonly casts evangelical believers among the oppressors rather than the oppressed. But is it true?

An honest assessment reveals that Christians remain the single most persecuted group of people in the world. Currently, 14% of Christ followers across the globe, or one out of every seven, suffer high levels of persecution. In Africa that number is as high as 20%, or one out of every five Christians. Across Asia, the numbers are even worse, with 29% of believers (two out of every five) suffering for their faith.

According to the Open Doors watchlist, 2024 witnessed nearly 4500 Christians martyred, nearly 8000 churches or properties attacked, nearly 5000 detained or imprisoned, over 209,000 forced from their homes, and persecuted believers in excess of 380 million. Tragically, Islamic rebels in the Congo beheaded 70 Christians in a church last week in an effort to turn the largely Christian region into an Islamic caliphate.

Despite claims to the contrary, Christianity faces more persecution right now than at any other point in history. The first 1900 years of church history recorded 25 million Christian martyrs who suffered for following Jesus. From 1900-2000, a total of 45 million died for their faith. How are we to understand reports like these, particularly in our American context?

Thankfully, Jesus offered a three-fold definition of persecution to guide our thinking. He says, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me (Matt. 5:11).” These descriptions are important because a prevalent lie in the United States is that since people are not dying here, Christian persecution does not exist. According to Jesus, such thinking is misguided.

Notice the three carefully chosen words and phrases which define the suffering of saints. Insults refer to openly mocking or shaming people of faith. The same word later appeared to describe Jesus’ suffering on the cross (Matt. 27:38-44). Persecution bears the idea of running after or pursuing with an intent to abuse violently or to prosecute thoroughly. Falsely speaking evil refers to slanderous accusations void of any truth. Neither time nor space will permit me to list the plethora of examples demonstrating these abuses today, but they should be obvious to us all.

At this point, you might be wondering why anyone would treat other human beings in such horrific ways. Two primary reasons for persecution emerge when we carefully examine the words of Jesus. First, Christians will sometimes suffer for the sake of righteousness (Matt. 5:10). The description refers to godly character and conduct. One unspoken modern reality is that genuine righteousness is often an irritant to unbelievers. The godly conduct laid out in the Sermon on the Mount, for example, is often received as an indictment of wickedness.

To help us grasp the principle, the Apostle Peter listed numerous vices that, when resisted, cause offense to those in darkness. He warns that those outside the family of God will pursue a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries (1 Peter 4:3). Then he explains, “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you (1 Peter 4:4).”

Have you ever wondered why any talk of sexual purity is mocked incessantly today? Or why resistance to the gay lifestyle is labeled as hate mongering? Is it curious to you that getting drunk, wild parties, and perverted language are commonly celebrated as the good life? And that calling out sin is chided as old-fashioned, or even harmful to society? Do you find it strange that the mere presence of Christians, or the articulation of historical Christian beliefs, is so frequently mocked, derided, and even identified as a threat? This is what Jesus categorized as the sake of righteousness.

Second, Jesus revealed that some will persecute believers simply because of His name. After revealing the previous listed forms of persecution, He admits that all are because of Me (Matt. 5:11). People then, as now, were fine with Jesus being a good, moral teacher, a miracle worker, and even a prophet who spoke truth. The moment He claimed to be God, however, His enemies sought to kill Him and any who chose to follow Him (Matt. 10:21-22).

Similar claims today can lead to just as much trouble. Agreeing that Jesus is a way is fine, as long as you don’t insist that He is THE WAY. Purporting that Jesus told the truth is not offensive, unless you assert that He is THE TRUTH. Crediting Jesus as the founder of Christianity won’t cause consternation, until you maintain that He is THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN. Having a Jesus who is one among other gods will be acceptable to the masses,but those bold enough to declare Him as THE ONLY TRUE GOD will face certain backlash.

Christian persecution is not only real, but also much more prominent that we might initially think. So, what is the silver lining? Joyfully, Jesus assures us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those have suffered for their faith (Matt. 5:10). Your reward will be great because the faithful have always endured the scorn of this world (Matt. 5:12).

Adam B. Dooley
February 25, 2025

Feb 18
Love0

What Is Winter Trying To Tell Us?

By Salvation, Sovereignty, Trials No Comments

“I am so ready for spring.”
“Do you think school will be canceled this week?”
“Maybe we will have one more chance to go sledding.”

Reactions like these are not uncommon during the winter months. In the span of 24 hours, I have heard all three comments, along with the accompanying lament and enthusiasm depending on the perspective. As I write this column, our area is bracing for what may be the second big snowstorm of the season. Most adults are anxious for warmer weather while our children are looking to score at least a few more days home from school due to snow.

But what if I told you that winter holds much greater significance than stoking daydreams of summer vacation or the playfulness of childhood? Surprisingly, the Bible teaches that every winter has a predictable message that we would be wise to heed. So, what can we learn from a wintery mix of snow and ice? What spiritual truths do cold feet and runny noses point to?

First, the predictability of winter reminds us that God is in control. The constancy of creation points back to the faithfulness and power of our Creator. An often overlooked promise in Scripture is the monotony of our seasons. After the worldwide flood in the days of Noah subsided, God promised to never destroy the earth the same way again (Gen. 9:11). Even before the covenant sign of a rainbow (Gen. 9:12-17), God insisted, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease (Gen. 8:22).”

In this sense, every season, including winter, points back to the faithfulness of God to keep His promise. Prerequisite to this understanding is the fact that the Lord not only controls the seasons, but that He also utilizes each to do His bidding.

A recent study leading our congregation through the narrative of Job reminded me again that the God of the Bible is not only bigger, but also more intentional than we often realize. The book’s poetic expressions communicate the literal strength of the Lord. During the winter months, He instructs the snow and rain to fall, creates ice with His breath, forces beasts into hibernation, and directs both northern and southern storms (Job 37:6-10). He stores the snow and hail for times of distress, war, and battle (Job 38:22-23). He gives birth to both ice and frost in order to imprison what is below (Job 28:29-30).

No wonder the psalmist marveled, “He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes. He casts forth His ice as fragments; Who can stand before His cold? He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow (Psalm 147:15-28).” The severity of winter points back to the magnitude of our God.

Second, the beauty of winter reminds us of the purity God provides. Two times in Scripture the Bible compares the cleansing of God’s forgiveness to the flawless scenes of winter. Despite having sins that are like scarlet, God promises to make them as white as snow (Isa. 1:18). Likewise, King David’s longing for purity left him begging God to wash him so that He could be clean like snow (Psa. 51:7). Every falling snowflake and every white blanket that wraps the earth is a picture of grace, reminding us God’s forgiving embrace through His Son, Jesus Christ. Ours is a God who makes all things new as the old passes away (2 Cor. 5:17).

Finally, the burdens of winter remind us that our greatest trials are temporary. Despite the beauties of the cold season, the hardships it often brings make it an appropriate metaphor for the trials of life. Blistering temperatures, icy roads, and power outages leave us looking forward to the arrival of spring each year. The Song of Solomon celebrates the end of winter as an opportunity for a new beginning (Song Sol. 2:11-13). The subsiding of harsh weather reassures us that our difficulties will soon pass, hopefully bearing the fruit of endurance (James 1:2-4).

Though it seldom feels like it at the time, most of the adversities we face are only temporary inconveniences. The majority of our problems are not permanent experiences. Chances are, you WILL come out on the other side of whatever you are facing. Even the heaviest burdens that can sometimes last a lifetime are temporary against the backdrop of eternity (Rom. 8:18). Winter doesn’t last forever, and neither do our troubles.

Adam B. Dooley
February 18, 2025

Feb 12
Love0

Lessons on the Hardwood

By Church, Faithfulness, Future, Pastor, Sanctification No Comments

For as long as I can remember, I would always trade the pigskin for a round ball without hesitation. Maybe it’s my Kentucky roots. Perhaps it stems from growing up during the Michael Jordan era. Whatever the reason, though, I fell in love with basketball as a boy, partly because I did not need anyone else to play. I lost count how many times I won the Final Four and the NBA Finals just before dinner in my childhood backyard.

Unfortunately, my playing days never rivaled those imaginary successes, but to this day I marvel over the superior athleticism, team strategy, and breakneck speed that takes place on 94 feet of hardwood. With College March Madness just around the corner, high school basketball is winding down and regional tournament brackets are starting to take shape.

The Trinity Christian Academy Lions are unknown to most readers outside the state of Tennessee, but here in our little corner of the world, they are finishing up a historical season that leaves us undefeated in our district for the first time. With two of my sons on the roster, you can understand my excitement. As I watch my kids play the sport I love, I cannot help but to relive part of my childhood and reappreciate so many life lessons I learned from my coaches and teammates. Long before I went to seminary, basketball taught me so much about life and ministry.

Take, for example, the principle that everyone has a role to play. The beauty of a team sport is that no single athlete can succeed alone. This year, a young man named Braydon Waller became the all-time leading scorer at our school, earning him well deserved accolades. Yet, underestimating the impact of less visible contributors on our team is a sure recipe for failure. Because our entire roster learned to function as a single unit, each member now enjoys the team’s success. Doing so requires each player to accept the unique role that most benefits the team.

Who is more important, the shooter who finishes the fast-break or the rebounder who started it? Who is more valuable, the assist leader or the game’s highest scorer? Who is more vital, the defender who keeps points off the scoreboard or the hot hand who adds them? Does the teammate who leads in steals contribute more to victory than the athlete who never turns the ball over? Is the guy who cuts down the lane wide-open more essential than the individual who sets his pick? Can good players strategize without a wise coach?

In a similar way, albeit with a slightly different analogy, the Bible describes the church as the body of Christ made up of various members with different functions (Rom. 12:4-5). Despite the variety, however, we should never attach the value of an individual to their designated assignment within a Christian community (1 Cor. 12:14-26). Some water, others plant, but God works mightily through every Christ follower to accomplish His work (1 Cor. 3:4-7). Ultimately, each believer is invaluable solely because they make up the roster of faith.

Another important lesson basketball has taught me is that everyone can’t be the coach. Throughout our season at Trinity, I have marveled over the stellar leadership of Coach Dexter Williams. Our team plays suffocating, full-court defense, shoots the three like a college team, and runs like a well-oiled machine, largely because we have a coach who won’t settle for less. His ability to get the most out of every player is inspiring. Like my sons, I also benefitted from great coaching growing up. This past week I learned that my former high school coach, Tony Cox, will soon be inducted into the Madison County Sports Hall of Fame in Richmond, Kentucky. His approach was different, but I still benefit from his investment in my life.

We should not overlook, however, that even the greatest coaches receive their share of criticism. You always have parents who would do it differently, most likely to benefit their children. It’s easy for critics to question calls after the buzzer sounds or to change strategies with the benefit of hindsight. When the pressure of the moment subsides, everyone is great coach. But few can handle the constant pressure leading on the sideline brings.

Pastors face similar challenges. Everyone has opinions about how the church should function, but everyone cannot, and should not, be a pastor.  The unique role of leading people spiritually is a special calling assigned by God Himself (Eph. 4:11-12). In addition to the required character qualities (1 Tim. 3:1-7), the Bible plainly states that not all should desire to teach the Word because those who do will face stricter judgment (James 3:1). For these reasons, Scripture admonishes believers to submit to the guidance of godly spiritual leaders without the constant grief of second-guessing them (Heb. 13:7, 17).

Finally, basketball taught me that yesterday’s victories don’t guarantee success today. I don’t yet know how the season will end for my Trinity Lions, but I am certain that the achievements of this season do not promise any success going forward. Staying hungry and continuing to reach for the next milestone is key for any successful team.

The stakes are higher in real life, but the priority remains the same. In order to take hold of what was ahead, the Apostle Paul insisted that he chose to forget what was behind him (Phil. 3:12-14). Letting go of the past is the key to continued growth and sanctification.

Yesterday’s sin often intimidates us, making it difficult for us to accept God’s forgiveness and live in victory. Previous suffering sometimes angers us, birthing a root of bitterness and suspicion in our soul. Perhaps most challenging of all, former successes can leave us wishing for our glory days, blinding us to what God desires to do in our lives today. Unshackling ourselves from the past is essential for living by God’s design in the present and future.

Adam B. Dooley
February 12, 2025

Feb 06
Love0

Hurry Up and Wait!

By Patience, Priorities, Waiting No Comments

Since moving to Tennessee from Dallas, Texas, I always chuckle a bit when folks around Jackson complain about traffic problems. Admittedly, there are seasons when traffic is slower than usual around our little town, but it doesn’t compare to commutes of an hour or more. Recently, while waiting at what seemed like an eternal traffic light a simple question popped into my mind. Why do we hate waiting so much?

No sooner than I had the thought my mind was taken back to an occasion where waiting seemed especially agonizing. On that day, I paced the floor of our second-floor hospital room at St. Jude Hospital in Memphis. The now familiar, red-framed windows seemed more like prison bars preventing our escape than portals providing God’s gift of sunlight.

My 4-year-old son, early in his fight against leukemia, was anxious to get home to his mom and siblings. Though we lived in Alabama at the time, every week we boarded a plane for Tennessee to receive chemotherapy and a checkup. But this visit was different.

It had been months since my son was inpatient at the hospital, but a fever above 100.4 and low blood counts left him vulnerable to septic shock on this trip. In all likelihood, his symptoms were the result of a virus, but the possibility of an infection requires extra precautions when you’re fighting childhood cancer. What was typically a routine turnaround of 36 hours turned into a weeklong stay in the hospital, away from family and responsibilities back home. I am embarrassed to tell you how much I panicked throughout the ordeal.

It happened more than once.

We waited for appointments, for test results, for airplanes, and for a chance to do it all again the next week. For nearly three years, hurry up and wait was the name of the game. Waiting became routine; but it never became easy.

I should tell you that today my son is healthy and thriving. You would never know he once had cancer, and the lessons God taught us through all that waiting have continued to pay off again and again.

But to this day I wonder—Why is waiting so hard?

Perhaps I’ve met someone along the way who enjoys waiting, but I don’t recall it. Being in limbo tests our sanity and prolonged delays can even cause us to doubt God. No explanation is exhaustive because our motivations are often complicated. I do believe, however, that three realizations are often at the root of our impatience when life doesn’t go as planned.

Waiting shatters the myth that we are in control. Juggling schedules, meeting deadlines, and monitoring results gives us the impression that we are at the helm of our universe. Do you have a goal? Just work harder. Do you have a problem? Do something about it. Choose your destiny. Seize the day. Claim your reality. Mantras like these resonate with us precisely because we yearn to be in charge and are willing to play along. But deep down, we know it is all a lie. Nothing interrupts our fantasy like a prolonged sense of helplessness.

Waiting often unleashes our deepest fears. Where are You, God? What are You doing, God? Why won’t You answer me, God? Questions like these seldom accost us when everything unfolds according to our schedule. At the first sign that God is not at our beck and call, though, we are quick to question His wisdom and doubt His concern. Periods of vulnerability leave us unwanted time to think, and the silence uncomfortably shouts over the peace God bestows. Anxieties that are normally held in check sometimes wreak havoc on us while we wait.

Waiting reveals our true priorities. Most people would be insulted if you accused them of being slaves to their work. Neither are we anxious to admit that we are puppets guided by the hand of public perception and opinion. Nor do we fancy ourselves as materialistic or self-centered. Unfortunately, seasons of waiting often tell a different story.

Though interruptions force us to peel away all that is unnecessary in our lives, our hesitation to do so may reveal that we value the wrong things. When the world goes on while our hands are tied, we realize just how much we idolize the accolades and possessions we pretend not to seek. Despite our affirmations that God is trustworthy, and that sanctification is a priority, childish outbursts and temper tantrums uncover our true agenda.

Thankfully, neither I, nor you, are alone in our struggle to wait on the Lord. During a painful time of testing, King David once called out to the Lord with desperation in Psalm 4:

  • Answer me when I call, O God! (v1)
  • Be gracious to me! (v1)
  • Hear my prayer! (v1)

Then, with supernatural clarity, David realized that his wait would be worth it.

  • Tremble and do not sin. (v4)
  • Meditate in your heart . . . and be still. (v4)
  • Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. (v4)
  • Trust in the Lord. (v4)

Slowly, I am learning that the benefits of waiting on the Lord far exceed the inconveniences. With a loss of control, comes the peace of resting in our Savior (Psalm 26:3-4). The discomfort of facing our fears and enduring difficulties unleashes the strength of God in our lives (2 Cor. 12:9). Exposing misplaced priorities opens the door for renewed commitment to the Lord (Psalm 32:5).

I still hate waiting, but God continues to use the crucible of uncertainty in my life. I am confident He will do the same for you. He is eager to renew our strength, if only we are willing to wait upon Him (Isaiah 40:31). So, hurry up and wait! You’ll be glad you did.

Adam B. Dooley
February 6, 2025

Jan 28
Love0

The Secret of Satisfaction

By Holiness, Righteousness, Sanctification, Satisfaction No Comments

Jesus’ continual use of metaphors throughout the gospel powerfully anchored truth to our hearts in a way that cold prose seldom do. His principled images left lasting impressions that still resonate with us today, albeit in varying degrees that may differ from His original audiences.

Take for example, Jesus’ powerful reminder that a blessed person is one who hungers and thirsts after righteousness (Matt. 5:6). As the fourth in a series of Beatitudes, this statement builds upon the previous promises shared in order to describe the lives of those who know God. The righteousness Jesus emphasizes here is more practical than positional.

On the one hand, Scripture teaches that at the moment of salvation, God declares a person to be righteous because of the imputed purity of His Son. Simply put, Jesus took our sins upon Himself while hanging on the cross in order to place His holy perfection upon us (Rom. 5:19). When a person repents of sin and calls out to Christ for forgivness, he receives a new position in which God sees him as righteous (Phil. 3:9). Christians often refer to this as justification.

On the other hand, God works in our lives through a process called sanctification as well. How we live is a reflection of who we are. Thus, because the One who called us is holy, we should seek to be holy in all our behavior (1 Pet. 1:15). We should work out practically what God has declared about us positionally (Phil 2:12-13). Outward life change has always been the greatest evidence of inward transformation.

Rather than simply saying, “Seek to be as righteous as you can,” Jesus taps into the most basic of human needs in order to drive His point home. Hungering for righteousness makes sense to us because we sometimes use the same analogy today. We sometimes refer to an up-and-coming business man as being hungry to succeed. We view politicians as being hungry for power. In our minds, the best athletes are those we are hungry to win.

The reality, though, is that not all hunger is created equal. The full weight of Jesus’ metaphor is often lost on us because most Americans know little about starvation. In a world of Hot Eats, Cool Treats, thinking outside the bun, and Golden Arches on every corner, most of us have no meaningful concept of hunger. Yet, nearly every Jew who heard Jesus’ statement likely had a visceral reaction.

Famine and malnourishment were far too common in first century Judea. The Old Testament records a food shortage that was so severe that people in Samaria bartered for donkey heads and dove dung while mothers negotiated to cannibalize their children (2 Kgs. 6:25-29). Void of experiences like these, we might associate hunger with craving something to eat rather than being desperate for sustenance. There is a big difference.

Coach Bryan Bartley helps us see the distinction by describing athletes. “A hungry athlete,” he says, “will hunt and find food, cook it, devour it, and if they have high character, they will clean the kitchen after they are finished. A hungry athlete will find a place to work out and play, they will find a way on the team, and they’ll find a way to make an impact no matter what gets in their way.”

By contrast, “A person who just wants to eat will have a cabinet or refrigerator full of food but will sit at home and wait for someone to cook it for them, and if it isn’t cooked the way they want it to be cooked, they won’t eat it. An athlete who just wants to eat will work out when you make them, but only if you make them because they aren’t hungry enough to make themselves.”

Herein is the profound lesson behind Jesus’ metaphor. Spiritually speaking, are you hungry, or do you just want something to eat? Far too many want the benefit of knowing about God, but have very little desire to walk with Him daily. We love to give the impression of understanding the Bible, yet we frequently lack the concern or commitment to obey it. Those who are willing to digest a sermon on Sunday are not necessarily willing to prepare spiritual food for themselves during the week. God is looking for those who are profoundly hungry for righteousness.

In an effort to solidify His message further, Jesus employs the image of thirsting for righteousness as well. Again, our freedom to turn on the tap any time we need running water fights against our appreciation for the profundity of the lesson here.

Imagine walking across the dessert with empty water jugs and a mouth as dry as cotton. Or suppose you wake up in the middle of the night feeling ill, your lips are chapped, your voice is hoarse, and your tongue is dry. Think about the difficulty of eating an entire meal with nothing to wash your food down, and then, envision doing so for weeks. Like a deer that pants for water in the wilderness, we should thirst for God and His righteousness (Psa. 42:1-2).

And what is the reward for doing so? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” The only way to find lasting joy, eternal purpose, and complete satisfaction in life is by living as God desires each and every day. In fact, every temptation we face is nothing more than a deceptive invitation to find fulfillment outside of God’s will. Don’t fall for the world’s lies. Hunger and thirst for righteousness and you will find greater satisfaction than you’ve ever known.

Do these images describe you? Are you always looking to obey the Lord? Are you continually desperate to be more like Christ? Are you repeatedly eager to give more of yourself to the God? Are you hungry, or do you just want something to eat? Are you thirsty, or do you just want a drink in your hand?

Adam B. Dooley
January 28, 2025

Jan 20
Love0

A Christian Response to a New President

By Politics, Prayer, Sovereignty No Comments

Love him or hate him, Donald J. Trump is now the 47th president of the United States. Both the messiness and beauty of the American experiment was on full display in what is undeniably one of the most historic elections in our nation’s history. Not since 1892, when Grover Cleveland forged a political comeback after losing his reelection bid four years earlier, have we witnessed such an unlikely return to the White House. Trump is now just the second president to win two non-consecutive terms.

Add the backdrop of the July assassination attempt on then candidate Trump’s life and it is difficult not to use words like “destiny” to describe this election cycle. Had the Republican nominee not turned his head at precisely the correct moment, the assassin’s murderous intent would have been realized. Had the position of the bullet been just one inch to the right, the course of American history would have changed forever in a Butler, Pennsylvania. One cannot come closer to death and emerge unscathed.

President Trump seemed to be keenly aware of the divine providence over His return to Washington, D.C. during his inaugural speech. “Those who wish to stop our cause,” he said, “have tried to take my freedom and indeed to take my life. Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”

Regardless of one’s political views, appreciating the undeniable momentum and comeback of our new president is not difficult. In light of his unlikely rise back to power, I am reminded of two important principles of Scripture.

God has sovereignly chosen President Trump to lead our nation. Though some might recoil over such a thought, acknowledging that God raises up those in authority is not intended to be a blanket endorsement of any leader, nor is it overtly political. The same premise applied to Joe Biden four years ago. The Lord alone establishes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings (Dan. 2:21). The Most High God rules over the earthly realm and He gives it to whomever He wishes (Dan. 4:32).

After what is admittedly the most heated political contest of my lifetime, we would all do well to remember that the Lord is strategic with His leadership over the nations, including ours, and He establishes all governmental authority as one means of accomplishing His purposes (Rom. 13:1). In no way do I presume to know God’s full intentions for this president, but I am confident that there is neither relief nor panic in heaven over who resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Sometimes God raises up godly politicians to be a conduit of His blessings on a nation. Or, He may choose a wicked ruler as a means of judgment on a people. Our tendency to believe that God wins when the right person is victorious or that He loses when an unbeliever assumes office is patently false. The Bible doesn’t suggest that God tolerates wicked leadership despite His desires otherwise, but that He ordains it according to His greater plan.

Thus, a wicked Pharaoh became a testimony of God’s glory throughout the earth (Rom. 9:7). God appointed the first king over Israel as an act of judgment against them (1 Sam. 10:1; 10:18). Thankfully, the same God later chose David (1 Sam. 16:12) to establish the throne of the Messiah and to bless the nations forever. But in both instances, the Lord can, and did, use good and evil leaders to achieve His goals for history. The same God is just as active and decisive today.

Christians of all political views should commit to pray for President Trump. The privilege of choosing our commander-in-chief brings with it the unfortunate feeling of winning and losing on each side of the political divide. These disagreements notwithstanding, believers of all persuasions must forfeit neither our eternal perspective nor our earthly responsibilities. Whether you view this president with enthusiasm or contempt, God is calling every believer to pray for him.

Think I’m overstating it? The Apostle Paul did not mince words, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2-1-4).”

Moving from the general to the specific, Paul directs us to pray for all people, but especially for those in authority like kings, or in our case, presidents. And what is the ultimate aim of these prayers? Not only the welfare of our leaders, but also our ability to lead quiet and peaceful lives. Rooting against any president is equal to rooting against ourselves.

We should also realize God’s desire for all people to experience salvation and the knowledge of the truth which accompanies it, including our president. We should pray with earnest that Christ works within Donald Trump even as He works through his administration. Ask the Lord to give him discernment, which only comes by worshipping the Lord with reverence (Ps. 2:10-11).

Adam B. Dooley
January 20, 2025

Jan 16
Love0

Why Did Jesus Tell Us to Mourn?

By Christian Living, Comfort, Grief, Mourning, Repentance, Sin No Comments

Though making an annual trip to St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee admittedly causes a certain amount of anxiety, there is no greater feeling than hearing that my son remains cancer free after a decade since being treated for leukemia. We praise the Lord each year after learning that his scans are clear, just as we did all those years ago when we first heard the word remission.

This trip felt different though, because of our visit with a beautiful little girl from our city who is just beginning the same journey we traveled back then. Her parents were strong and optimistic, but their tired eyes told on them. When we walked into that little hospital room, I immediately felt the same fears and anxieties that plagued me on the day cancer rocked our world for the first time.

I still remember the musky smell of the room. Cartoon characters decorated wood paneled walls and bundles of children’s books were on both sides of our chairs as we waited. When the doctor walked in, her facial expression communicated great concern. Bracing for the worst, I knew deep down that whatever came next would not be good. “I wish I had better news,” said the doctor, “but I believe your son has leukemia.”

As we talked with this family about navigating three years of chemotherapy, I realized that the backdrop of my son’s joyful news from earlier was coming to grips with the painful reality from his toddler years. Or, you could say that we had to receive the BAD NEWS of his diagnosis in order to receive and appreciate the GOOD NEWS of his health now. Ignoring his condition was never an option. Our soaring joyfulness today is proportional to the depth of our trepidation then.

Ironically, Jesus echoed the same pattern about our spiritual condition. The Bible teaches that the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news for any who will call upon the name of the Lord to be saved (Rom. 10:13). Welcoming the gift of His grace, however, requires admitting that our sin falls short of God’s expectation for our lives (Rom. 3:23). Denying our wickedness is equal to rejecting the divine cure.

The subject of sin is almost always controversial because ours is an age that resists any notions of absolute truth, much less concepts of right and wrong. Because much of our world mocks and dismisses scriptural norms, labeling Christian morality as hate speech is a common ad hominem tactic used to avoid biblical assertions. Added to these external factors is our internal struggle to frame calls to repentance as an affront to personal autonomy. Simply put, we don’t want to talk about sin, even to the point of resenting any brave soul willing to do so.

Even worse for some, is the idea that we should feel guilt or shame over any of our lifestyle choices. One weakness of the American Church is our eagerness to falsely associate jovial, lightheartedness with Christianity itself. We want greeting card theology, picture perfect smiles, unlimited optimism, and painless sacrifice. Prizing carefree thoughtlessness is our best effort to avoid guilt trips and low self-esteem. Sadly, the result is often a watered-down gospel that minimizes wickedness while celebrating superficial expressions of faith.

Jesus taught just the opposite. Blessed are those who mourn, He said, for they shall be comforted (Matt. 5:4). These words are not a call to grim cheerlessness. Neither are they intended to reassure us regarding life’s burdens and trials. Though there is much in our lives to grieve over, the focus here is not the hardships we necessarily endure. Instead, Jesus is teaching us exactly how to respond when we stray from Him.

The prophetic words of the psalmist serve as the background of this Beatitude (See Psalm 61:1-3). There, Judah mourned over their exile to Babylon, which was the severe consequence for their waywardness. Seeking to make the same application for believers today, Jesus is challenging us to lament, weep, and mourn due to the weight of our transgressions. We should mourn that our sins offend our holy God. We should mourn that we are so easily enticed by temptation. And we should mourn over the sins that blind and enslave the people we love.

Such a message is rarely popular, but according to Jesus, it is a blessing that leads to comfort. Learning to grieve over what causes grief is the first step toward healing and restoration (James 4:9). In fact, God promises to . .  .

  • Comfort us with the relief of His forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
  • Comfort us with the joy of our salvation (Psalm 51:12).
  • Comfort us with the freedom of His presence (2 Cor. 3:17).
  • Comfort us with a hope for our future (Jer. 29:11).

In addition to these present realities, God promises the eternal comfort of His people in the place called heaven. He assures us of a future home where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13), where He wipes all tears from our eyes (Rev. 21:4), and where death is swallowed up for all time (Isa. 25:8-9). In other words, weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psa. 30:5).

None of us enjoy sorrow, and it is always difficult to admit when we are wrong. Yet, when we understand lament as an opportunity, our lives change for the better. The Apostle Paul explained, “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us (2 Cor. 7:9).”

No wonder Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Adam B. Dooley
January 16, 2024

Jan 10
Love0

Does God Care About Our Happiness?

By Happiness, Holiness, Joy No Comments

Do you consider yourself a happy person? If you had to complete the following sentence, “I would be most happy if ________,” how would you fill in the blank?

Acclaimed journalist Jon Krakauer once thought he knew how he might answer a question like that. Two decades ago, this thrill seeker assembled a team to ascend Mount Everest. Tragically, twelve of his peers died during the expedition, souring what previously seemed like a peak goal. In his book, Into Thin Air, Krakauer records his reaction after finally reaching the highest point on earth.

“Straddling the top of the world,” he wrote, “one foot in China and the other in Nepal, I cleared the ice from my oxygen mask, hunched a shoulder against the wind and stared absently down at the vastness of Tibet. . . . I’d been fantasizing about this moment, and the release of emotion that would accompany it, for months. But now that I was finally here, actually standing in the summit of Everest, I just couldn’t sum up the energy to care. . . . I snapped four quick photos . . . then turned and headed down. My watch read 1:17 p.m.  All told, I’d spent less than five minutes on the roof of the world.”

Maybe you can relate? Your Mount Everest was a wedding day, a promotion, a dream vacation, or a sought after award. But whatever it was, and whenever it came, it simply was not as fulfilling has you hoped. After getting what you wanted, you still weren’t happy. Why is this so often the case? And, if I may ask an even stranger question, does God even care? Is our happiness really on the divine radar?

At this point, some will be quick to make an unbiblical distinction between happiness and joy. The former is based upon circumstance while the latter is the result of what we know, or so they will say. The problem with this understanding is that Scripture frequently uses the concepts of happiness and joy interchangeably (see Esther 8:16; Psalm 16:11, 32:11, 92:4; Prov. 23:25; Jer. 31:13). Thus, God prioritizes happiness and joy equally.

This clarification is important because, frankly, the church is sometimes guilty of treating notions of happiness as unimportant and unspiritual. We say things like, “God cares more about your holiness than your happiness.” Admittedly, we should acknowledge that there is a sense in which this is absolutely true.

Far too many are quick to justify sinful behavior with the reckless claim, “God would want me to be happy!” A backslidden husband might use this rationale in defense of leaving his wife. The immorality of sexual sin is often dismissed with the same claim. We might lie to avoid consequences while also making a similar assertion. Those looking to soothe their consciences despite narcissistic tendencies are sure to boast a version of this error. And, in these cases, we would do well to remember that God prioritizes our holiness ahead of our happiness.

The problem, however, is that illustrations like these unintentionally imply that being holy is the opposite of being happy. Though the priority of the statement is often true, the presumed dichotomy is not. While God’s ultimate goal is the holiness of His people (Eph. 5:25-27), we should not falsely assume that this agenda is contrary to our happiness. In reality, you will be MOST happy when you are MOST holy.

Any notion that God is the enemy of our happiness is patently false. Every good and perfect gift meant for our enjoyment is from above (James 1:17). The Lord longs for His righteous ones to be glad, rejoicing before Him continually (Psa. 68:3). The view that God is a cosmic killjoy is just plain wrong. We forget that in God’s presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand there are pleasures forever (Psa. 16:11). When your life belongs to the Lord, happiness and joy will follow.

Practically, every temptation to sin is nothing more than an invitation to pursue happiness in the wrong way because it is based upon the lie that we can find happiness outside the will of God. When God says, “You shall not,” He is graciously protecting us from harm and disappointment. Warnings against sins are really a roadmap to peace and joy.

All of this means that a relationship with God is the key to lasting happiness. I am not suggesting that unbelievers can never know joy, but it will be temporary apart from Jesus Christ. Nor am I implying that Christians will enjoy lives of ease. But, abundant life is possible in world that is desperately broken (John 10:10). The blessed favor and approval of God in your life can satisfy us at the deepest level of existence, bringing lasting happiness no matter what may come.

Adam B. Dooley
January 10, 2025

Jan 06
Love0

The Future is Sooner than You Think

By Christian Living, Faithfulness, Future, Salvation, Sanctification No Comments

“The older you get, the faster the time goes.”

Those were the words of my grandmother at the beginning of a new year when I was just a boy. While the speed of time doesn’t actually change as we age, I understand much better now what she meant. As we age, days and weeks blur together. Months and seasons seamlessly intertwine. The longer you live the more difficult it becomes to distinguish between years and decades.

As 2025 begins to unfold, two biblical lessons regarding time emerge that will help us navigate whatever is ahead. Tucked away in the book of James is a powerful verse that has guided me well over the years. The Bible simply says, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14).” In other words, the only certainties in life are its unpredictability and its brevity.

There is a Blindness to Life

None of us know what the future holds. In 1958 a new house was just $12,000; a new car was $2155; a movie ticket was $1; a stamp was 4 cents; and a gallon of gas was just 24 cents. For those of you who lived back then, did you ever imagine life would be like it is today? Frankly, sometimes it feels like there is no rhyme or reason to what unfolds on a daily basis. Life is full of many good days, for which we are thankful, but the years bring many hard days, too.

We anticipate having children, but not miscarriages. We expect golden anniversaries, but not divorces. We look forward to milestones and accomplishments, but we never daydream about funerals. We hope for laughter, but we don’t foresee all the tears. Intrinsic to James’ instruction is the need to live every day to the fullest. Simply put, if you’re always waiting for tomorrow, you might be terribly disappointed when it arrives.

There is a Brevity to Life

Even worse, though, than the uncertainty of life is its brevity. The Scripture compares our time on earth to a vapor that appears for just brief time. We are like the morning dew that is gone by noon. Like steam from a stove that disappears in an instant. One day you’re young, the next day you’re old. One day you start your first job, the next day you’re retiring. No matter how much we try, we cannot slow time down.

If we aren’t careful, our best plans will slip away from us and never materialize. Most of us fall victim to the lie that we have all the time in the world to turn our good intentions into reality. Thus, James 4:16 adds, “As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.” Regarding our relationship with God, these deceptions can be devastating. We often comfort ourselves with time we may not have.

I’ll get serious about my walk with God—tomorrow.

I’ll read my Bible and pray more—tomorrow.

I’ll share my faith with my friend—tomorrow.

I’ll take my church membership more seriously—tomorrow.

I’ll serve my community more—tomorrow.

Unfortunately, as the old song says, far too often tomorrow never comes. Every second, 3 people die. Every minute, 180 people die. Every hour, 11,000 people die. Every day, 260,000 people die. Every year, 95 million people die. Most of these people had one thing in common—they never thought it would happen to them. Even as you read these words, you might be thinking, “You tell THEM, pastor!”

What is the lesson here for all of us?

The time to know God, love God, and serve God is NOW. Any priorities we are putting off until later need to move up on our to-do list. And if I may, can I tell you what God wants most from you? Scripture admonishes us that today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). And what does this mean? Today is the day to call on the name of the Lord and be saved (Rom. 10:13).

Saved from what, you ask? In a word—sin. Romans 3:23 declares, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and Romans 6:23 explains, “the wages of sin is death.” So, today is the day to look upon Christ who died on the cross and was raised from the dead in order to take our sins away. In fact, Romans 10:9 celebrates, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Why not give your life to Jesus, today?

Adam B. Dooley
January 6, 2025

Close Menu