The grace of God is a fundamental concept in Christianity, and it refers to the unmerited and undeserved favor that God shows to humanity. This grace is often associated with the gift of salvation, which is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This gift of salvation is not something that can be earned or bought, but it is freely given by God to those who accept it in faith.
Continue reading THE GRACE OF GOD: A GIFT OF SALVATION
Living in the Freedom of Christ is a powerful and transformative experience for all who choose to follow Him. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are set free from the bondage of sin and death, and we are given a new life in Him. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Continue reading LIVING IN THE FREEDOM OF CHRIST
Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in human history. He preached a message of love, compassion, and forgiveness that continues to inspire people all over the world today. Central to his teachings was the idea of forgiveness and redemption.
Continue reading JESUS’ MESSAGE OF FORGIVENESS AND REDEMPTION.
1.What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Continue reading SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY (ROMANS 6:1-23 “DEAD TO SIN, ALIVE TO GOD”)
Paul is too successful in Ephesus-at least as far as the idol-making lobbyists are concerned. There are Seven Wonders of the World. But the most beautiful, according to one writer who said he saw all seven, is a temple in Ephesus dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis. Romans call her Diana.
“I have seen the walls and hanging gardens of ancient Babylon, the statue of Olympian Zeus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the mighty work of the high pyramids, and the tombs of Mausolus,” wrote the Greek scientist Philon in the 200s BC. “But when I saw the temple at Ephesus rising to the clouds, all these other wonders were put in the shade.”
Continue reading LEARING ABOUT A FALSE IDOL (RIOT)
Two maxims underlie the Bible’s principles of financial responsibility; the earth and its resources belong to God (Lev 25:23; Job 41:11; Pss 24:1; 89:11; Hag 2:8), and they have been entrusted to people to use wisely (Gen 1:29-30; 9:1-4). The overall message of the Bible regarding finances is one of personal thrift combined with generosity toward others. The Bible places a high value on saving money to provide for oneself and others in times of need (Gen 41:1-57; Prov 6:6-8; 21:20; Eccles 11:2; Luke 12:16-21; 1 Cor 16:2). Because God blessed those
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY)
Absence of lights is used in both physical and figurative senses in both the OT and NT. The darkness that covered the deep before God’s creation of light symbolizes chaos in opposition to God’s orderly creations (Gen 1:2-3). Elsewhere darkness, as well as light, is recognized as the creation of God (Isa 45:7). Darkness is a place where “workers of iniquity may hide” (Job 34:22 NASB); however, darkness does not hide one from God (Psa 139:11-12; Dan 2:22).
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (DARKNESS)
Personal Creator and Lord of the universe; the Redeemer of His people; the ultimate author and principal subject of Scripture; and the object of the church’s confession, worship, and service.
Continue reading DEFINITION OF THE DAY (GOD PT 1)
The firstborn of an unclean animal had to be redeemed by an estimation of the priest, with the addition of one-fifth (Lev 27:27; Num 18:15). According to Exod. 13:13; 34:20, the firstborn of an ass was either ransomed by a sheep or lamb, or its neck had to be broken.
Figuratively, Israel was God’s “firstborn” (Exod 4:22; Jer 31:9) and enjoyed priority status. God compared His relationship to Israel with the relationship of a father and his firstborn son. Within Israel, the tribe of Levi represented the firstborn of the nation in its worship ceremony (Num 3:40-41; 8:18).
Continue reading DEFINITIONS OF THE DAY (FIRST BORN PT 2 OF 2)
The Bible is not definitive on this point, so each person, church, and movement must come to peace with its position. Certainly the Bible includes several stories of resistance to government, even armed resistance. Sometimes, as in this passage, no moral judgment is attached to the report of resistance. Warfare is constant throughout of the Old Testament, including warfare ordained by God.
Continue reading IS CIVIL REBELLION EVER JUSTIFIED? (2 CHRONICLES 10:16-19)