First a person needs to recognize that he is a sinner, accept Jesus as his savior and renounce his own will to do God's will (Matthew 16:24). When God accepts this dear one into sonship, he is spirit begotten. God's spirit will slowly transform him into Christ-likeness. How does this happen? [...]
Jesus teaches the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-23. In this parable, soil quality represents heart condition. If the good seed (gospel /Kingdom message) falls on good ground (an honest, humble heart), it will bear much fruit (a Christ-like character). “…the fruit of [...]
The Bible indicates that the Jesus sometimes stayed in a house, but it is not stated that he owned the house. “…Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’ They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’ ‘Come,’ he replied, [...]
Some people think that the Holy Spirit is a person, but let’s look at how the word “spirit” is used in the Bible. In the Old Testament, “spirit” is the Hebrew word ruach which is literally translated as “wind or breath” such as in [...]
“Against an Elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:19The Apostle in this statement recognizes two principles. (1) That an Elder has already been recognized by the congregation as possessing a good and noble character and devoted [...]
God’s plan is to give humanity an experience with sin and evil before granting them knowledge, prosperity or health. In His wisdom, He knows we need this. Would anyone give their child a car and turn him loose, without teaching him how to drive [...]
Matthew 5:14 is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount delivered to the multitudes who were following Him. It is important to note that although Jesus was in front of a huge crowd, he was particularly speaking to his disciples. In the first and [...]
Marriage and divorce in the Bible The union of two people in marriage forms one body, which, like in nature, does not cease until death. “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, [...]
The theme of James Chapter 4 is one of admonitions for living a Christian life. “Do you not know that friendship with the world means enmity to God? Whoever is bent on being friendly with the world makes himself an enemy to God......Submit [...]
The book of Titus is a letter written by the Apostle Paul, approximately 62 to 67 A.D., to Titus, a mature brother in Christ. Paul and Titus were missionary traveling companions at one time. Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to [...]
People think of "luck" as things that happen by chance. But Christians have no chance happenings. As Romans 8:28 teaches, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Every detail [...]
I do not ask God why. Why God does things is beyond our comprehension. In the book of Job, Job's three friends tried to give Job reasons for his suffering, but God was displeased with all of their answers. In Job 38:2-4(NLT) God said, “Who [...]
The Apostle Paul explains the duty of bishops or pastors by saying: “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1). He then introduces a set of principles for the nomination [...]
Some drugs are hallucinogenic. They disrupt the brain's normal, healthy operations and make people see, hear, and smell hallucinations. This is very dangerous. Some people have experienced psychotic breaks due to taking those drugs. Also, since this drugs misrepresent reality, they are distorting God’s [...]
12 Step programs can be a great blessing. These programs are designed for people with addictions or behaviors they cannot stop. The first three steps help the person to acknowledge he is out of control, powerless over the addiction. Then he recognizes God can [...]
This text begins: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing [...]
1 Timothy 1:9-11 (NIV), “We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for [...]
In this situation, it is important to determine if the pastor knows he has verbally hurt someone. If not, (sometimes our words unintentionally hurt another), then the person who feels wronged, should directly contact and talk to that pastor. Jesus gave this instruction in [...]
Worship is defined in Webster’s Dictionary, 1828 as to “Worship is to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission.” Many honest and sincere Christians think that if you love God and give glory to God, that this is enough. Some quote the Apostle Paul: [...]
1 Peter teaches the truths of faith and holiness to the “elect” (1:2, Colossians 3:12), both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity. The “elect” are a class chosen by God to be developed into Christ’s character image (Romans 8:29) . God did not predestinate [...]
