Faith is used in two ways in the Bible. First,it is subjective, something personal within us that we receive by hearing the Word of God (Rom 10:17). It is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see;” without it “impossible to please God” (Heb 11:1, 6). Second, it
Jesus said a man must be honest and good in order to produce fruit in His kingdom (Luke 8:15). The seed of the gospel must find lodging in this kind of soil or it cannot bear fruit for God. If any man or any preacher is not totally honest, he can never make a good
God said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9). The way Israel worshipped God was detestable: “I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind” (Jer. 19:5). This same principle is also stated in the New Testament: “Do not go beyond what is written” (I
Are you a “conservative” or a “liberal” Christian? I will give you my definition and would welcome yours. My aim is to be as liberal as I CAN be, and as conservative as I HAVE to be. Where the Bible has not given specific instructions, I want to have all the liberty in following whatever
The Salvation Army is very visible at this time of year. Many are asking, “Just who are they?” If you look in the Bible you will not find it. It did not exist until William Booth formed it in London in 1878. In 1899 its charter was issued in New York as “a religious and
In the Old Testament the sacrificial fire “came forth from Jehovah.” This altar fire was ignited by God and was to continuously burn (Lev 6:12-13). For 40 years wherever the tabernacle was moved in the desert wanderings, worship was offered in sacrifices by this divine fire. When two priests, sons of the high priest, offered
When a storm is ahead, a good pilot will do what it takes to save his passengers. After repeated warnings through flight attendants, the pilot’s commanding voice comes through loud and clear: “My job is to get you safely home.Your job is to do what I say. Now buckle up!” Was the pilot insensitive? Angry?
The prophet Hosea (750 BC) summed up the indictment against Israel in one word; “Whoredom.” Israel had done worse than adultery. As a harlot she had prostituted herself with Baal worship for hire (2:12-13). The people were without knowledge of God (4:6) and ignorant of His law (8:12). Hosea rebuked the people of Israel severely
“Do you love me more than these?” Jesus asked Peter this question. And He asks YOU the same question today. 1. Do you love the Lord more than your kinsmen? Are you willing to leave your family’s church or religion if it is not authorized in the Bible? Jesus said: “He who loves father or
Mona Lisa When famous works of art like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa are studied with a view of restoring their original beauty,-the more closely they are examined the more evident is the genius of the artist. Today our aim is to unveil the divine genius in the design of first century Christianity and to