Satan uses wicked schemes to outwit, deceive and destroy us. He is “the god of this world,” our arch-enemy, ever “prowling like a lion” to gain advantage over us, to destroy us and bring us to punishment in hell (I Pet 5:8). Paul said: “We are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Cor 2:11) We
Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth died Friday near Jerusalem on Mount Calvary, also known as Golgotha, betrayed by one of His close friends, Judas. Jesus was crucified by the Romans as ordered by governor Pontius Pilate. The causes of death were crucifixion, severe torture and loss of blood. He wore a crown of thorns while
Everybody has a pocketful of opinions. And some have a mouthful. Everybody thinks his are best, and the longer he talks about it, the louder he talks! Religious opinions are called scruples. These are not things the Bible actually addresses. They sometimes matter more to us than to God. Example: circumcision as a Christian obligation.
When kids get up to 10 or 15 years old they want their own guitar and drum. Now we see immature adults, often preachers and elders, who think they need a band to entice and entertain ‘the unchurched’ into worshiping God. From time to time we hear leaders in a congregation who announce their decision
Hope in Christ empowers believers with courage and confidence. Hope fixes the eyes on Christ, not only for today but also for the future. It motivates the Christian to know Christ at each moment on the way to glory. Paul said, “I count all things but loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ
Tyre on the Meditarranean seacoast was an ancient city dating back to 2400 BC. It was a double city, one part on a rock island and another on the mainland. It was fortified by a wall 150 feet high (Josh 19:29). It was a city of world-wide commerce. Its ships carried its notorious cargoes of
The apostles used no gimmicks, prizes or promotions. They just “preached Christ and him crucified” (I Cor 2:2). It was 7 weeks after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The 12 apostles were in Jerusalem when “suddenly there came from heaven a sound” that filled the house. They began to speak in other languages by
J.S. a regular reader asks, “Can you write on making peace with neighbors and friends?” Years of studies have been spent on how to resolve conflicts within families, friends, neighbors, church members, etc. With only 200 words, we could do no better than to hear counsel from the Prince of Peace (Lk 2:14; Jn 14:27).
To testify: The boy came to his mother with a small splinter in his finger. She worked seriously over the little wound. Why? She said because it may become infected. It could spread and even cause death. The mind is like the body. Small wounds can set up infection. Sin is like that. It is
We sin when we fail to go to church. “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day drawing nigh” (Hebrews 10:25). It is a sin, as much as the “nots” found in Romans 13:49 (not kill, commit