John the Baptist set himself apart from the normal lifestyle of his world to do what God had called him to do. He did not drink alcohol or cut his hair. He lived in one of the harshest desert environments in the world, dressing primitively and eating simply. Yet people flocked into the desert to see this unusual man and hear his powerful message. When they arrived, they saw a man dressed like Elijah, the premier prophet of Israel hundreds of years earlier. His speech was harsh, clear, and penetrating.
Continue reading WHY DID JOHN THE BAPTIST DRESS AND ACT SO DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHERS?Tag Archives: poverty
SHOULD PEOPLE SELL ALL THEY OWN WHEN BECOMING A CHRISTIAN?
Jesus used this story to describe the joy of finding God. It’s worth everything we have. In terms of value, nothing compares. The point of this story is joy, not poverty. Its teaching reminds us that joy fuels change, and all change is possible when the end result in finding God.
Continue reading SHOULD PEOPLE SELL ALL THEY OWN WHEN BECOMING A CHRISTIAN?DEFINITION OF THE DAY “SMYRNA”
Ancient city at the modern site of Izmir, Turkey. Smyrna surrounded a well-protected harbor on the Aegean Coast at the outlet of the Hermus River. The city lay at the foot of Mount Pagus and is located about 35 miles north of Ephesus. Extensive trade to and from Asia passed through the city. During the first century A.D. Smyrna reigned as one of the grandest cities of all Asia. Strabo (64 B.C- A.D. 20s), the Greek geographer, called Smyrna “the most beautiful city of all” cities along this coast. A large temple there, dedicated to Emperor Tiberius, boasted Smyrna’s close alliance with the Empire. Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY “SMYRNA”