Conversations at the Ranch with Dudley Hall

Romans 7:13-20 - The seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Romans is famous for describing the struggle Paul has with sin (or, for that matter, the struggle of anyone who wants to live righteously). Paul confesses he knows what is right but doesn’t do it, and he is not ignorant of what is evil, yet he practices it. He concludes that the culprit is neither the Law, which points out sinful behavior, nor the individual, but sin that dwells inside.

1 Timothy 1:12-16 - The kingdom of God exploded in the first century A.D. owing in large part to God’s work through a converted terrorist. It should encourage us that people and circumstances don’t have to be good in order for the kingdom to progress. God’s purpose is being accomplished because his grace triumphs over evil.

MATTHEW 16:13-20 - Polling is a good way to discover what people are thinking, but not a good way to determine the truth. Sadly, leaders today often make their decisions based on polling the populace rather than hearing what the Father says about reality. Observation is good, but revelation is essential if we are to live in the truth. We are notoriously bad at interpreting what is happening, since we have limited perspective, com-

plicated by troubling emotional baggage.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:3–4; 9:6–10 - I’m confessing: I love the Christmas season. I know it has been commercialized and materialism runs rampant, but I love the excitement and joyous spirit that seems to grip most of us. Who doesn’t enjoy little ones running toward Santa, thinking of flying reindeer, waiting for the big day?

I know; I should be offended at all this hype when the real issues are the birth of Jesus and the cosmic ramifications of his incarnation. And, believe me, I don’t for a second want to diminish that.

But I also love the focus on giving gifts. Again, I am aware that marketers manipulate us to buy ridiculous things for people we might not even like. But I like the giving and receiving.

PSALM 2:1–6 - It seems that our society is becoming increasingly vitriolic. Instead of listening and responding, we resort to talking over each other and demonizing our opponents. I suppose that is what can be expected when we deny the possibility of spiritual warfare and thereby conclude that our enemy is solely flesh and blood. In a purely secular society, where demons, angels, and God are mocked as primitive myths, we shouldn’t expect an acknowledgment that we have a common spiritual enemy who seeks to deceive and destroy God’s good creation. That leaves us fight- ing each other, even willing to destroy our opponents in order to establish our own viewpoint. But it should be different in the community of faith where belief in spiritual reality is common. We are aware that we don’t fight against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers emanating from the devil himself. Yet we rage. When we fight like the devil, we yield to him. We should fight him but not with his tactics. We confront the Liar with the Truth. The church representing the kingdom of God is to be the salt and light in a society, but when it has become the voice of the shifting culture rather than a voice to it, the wholesociety begins to rot in egoism and grope in darkness.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - The life of victory does not consist of temptation-free living. It is all about revealing the glory of one who daily offers his grace to overcome as we learn to live by the words that come from the cross. “It is finished,” he said. All that is needed for mankind to live and work in the presence of God has been done. We now get to apply that to the many trials and temptations that assault us.

Luke 4:5-7 - Satan confronted Eve and Adam in the Garden. He engaged Israel in the wilderness. He even tried to cut a deal with Jesus in the desert. According to the apostle Peter, he is still stalking around looking for someone who will deal. Has he found a taker in the modern American church?

Ephesians 3:14-19 - Recently a poll asked young people what they wanted to be when they grew up. The most popular answer: famous. Of course, that begs other questions, such as, with whom? Or for what? One could aspire to be famous among the most evil people who have lived, but I can’t imagine hell providing much honor. The honor that our soul craves cannot be found in the fame that this earth offers.

The Bible mentions a hall of fame for those who have lived by faith. These people lived extraordinary lives full of adventure and passion. They shocked cultures, defied odds, and brought heaven’s order to earth.

Revelation 21:23-24 - I’ve been surprised to see how surprised many were by the decision handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States regarding same-sex marriage. Did we think that American democracy was equivalent to the Kingdom of God? Have we shifted our hope of justice and peace totally to the structures of the state? Have we not seen the shift toward magnifying human dignity while ignoring the creator and Lord? Did we think that these choices would not have consequences?

Psalm 139-22-23 - If you are tired of being tormented by the enemy within, venture the request for God to search your heart. Every deficit he exposes will be an opportunity to embrace his grace, which he has been storing up since before the world began. He only wants to give what you desperately need, but cannot afford.