Faith refers to (1) the exercise of our capacity to trust someone or something, as, for example, a rock climber has faith in his or her rope; (2) a set of beliefs, such as “Catholic faith”; (3) a deeper, very personal movement of the heart toward God that includes the first two meanings, yet moves beyond them into personal fellowship with God.
Continue reading WHAT IS BELIEF?
We hear the word a lot around Christian circles, sometimes referring to a prayer before a meal, sometimes to a great big idea associated with the gospel, sometimes as a girl’s name. Paul’s used the term throughout his letters to speak of God’s special favor to every person, the underserved benefit we have of God’s mercy in sending Jesus to die for our sins.
Continue reading WHAT IS GRACE?
Apparently, angles have the desire to understand God’s way. The meaning of the phrase “eagerly watching” implies observing with intensity and effort. Perhaps angels study God’s ways to marvel more fully at His grace and power. On this model, angles are like intelligent and gifted apprentices who eagerly seek to understand the mind of the Master.
Continue reading MEN OF THE BIBLE (DO ANGELS STUDY?)
The wilderness played an important role, affecting life in ancient Israel in several different ways. For instance, every year, at the beginning and end of summer, a hot, dry desert wind blows from the east. This wind, called sirocco, raises the temperature and can be quite destructive to vegetation. The wind was yearly reminder to Israel that the wilderness was within reach.
Continue reading THE WILDERNESS
5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Continue reading SCRIPTURES OF THE DAY (GALATIANS 5:1-12 “FREEDOM IN CHIRST”)
Some Christians actually preach this idea, and many people become disillusioned when their experience turns painful. The only people who can claim to live trouble-free are those who redefine “trouble” into a word that describes absolutely nothing.
Continue reading WILL GOD ELIMNATE ALL TROUBLE FROM OUR LIVES?
King’s were, anointed by having olive oil poured on their heads (2 Kings 11:12). This was also an act of courtesy and hospitality performed by hosts for their guests.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (GOD’S ABUNDANT BLESSING)
The Jewish people believed that contact with a grave caused a person to become unclean (Numbers 19:16), so tombs were coated with a white lime solution to make them stand out to keep people from touching them accidently.
Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (CORRUPTION THE INSIDE)
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (ROMANS 5:12-21 “ADAM AND CHRIST CONTRASTED”)7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10 “THE THORN IN THE FLESH”)