Philip Dampier's Blog

Who really has authority in this world? Is it Satan or is it God? The story of the temptations addresses that question. Satan claimed he had authority, even offered to share it with Jesus, the Son of God. Many today live their lives subject to Satan’s authority because they are…

When children ask their dad to catch them when they jump from a height, it isn’t a test. Children jump into their dad’s arms because they trust them. As a rule, most children do not jump where there is no trust. It was not necessary for Jesus to jump to see…

The devil next offered Jesus authority over all the kingdoms of the world. Satan offered to throw in their splendor for no extra charge. All Jesus had to do was agree to worship him. Jesus reminded him that God is the only one who is to be worshiped. Two important…

Today I learned that one of the best friends I ever had in this world died yesterday. He was an exceptional person. Selected to two sporting Hall of Fames, once chosen as one of he top five track coaches in the USA, trainer of All Americans, Olympians, Professional sport figures.…

The gospel writer Luke reminds us that Jesus was human in nature, subject to hunger and other normal physical issues. After 40 days of fasting in a wilderness area Jesus was hungry and in that state encountered the Devil. It was no accident. The Holy Spirit of God set the…

Why was John, the cousin of Jesus, called the Baptizer? The best answer is that he was called that because he preached baptism and baptized those who repented and responded. Why did he do this? What was the purpose of his preaching baptism and then baptizing? This is an important…

When Jesus’ family left Jerusalem for the second time they took Jesus with them. They heard his explanation for his absence but they didn’t understand it. He was involved in his father’s business he said but Joseph had no business in the temple. Mary took note of everything he did…

Like many other Jewish families, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem every year for the Passover feast. When he was twelve an unusual thing happened. When the week was over the family and their friends started home. Jesus was not with them. He had become involved…

When the sacrifices were over and the prophets had spoken the amazed parents returned to their own home in the small Galilean village of Nazareth. There follows a time in which little information is forthcoming. That doesn’t mean nothing was happening for the next eleven plus years it just means…

Within the first two months of Jesus’ life two important events occurred. The first happened when he turned 8 days old. This was a significant day in the life of any male child. Two things happened. First he was circumcised and then he was given his name. This was the…