Generally, all sickness is a result of Adam’s disobedience. “Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned,” Romans 5:12. Sickness is part of the dying process. However, we can contribute to [...]
This is a very heartbreaking situation, which grieves our souls. Jesus, Himself, sacrificed marriage and children in order to fulfill His ministry. God’s will for Jesus was to die as the ransom price for Adam. He was to remain unmarried without natural children. Surely, [...]
The Romans vengefully destroyed the temple in 70 AD to put down three rebellious Jewish factions. They burned it perhaps accidentally. But the fire melted much of the gold in the temple which then seeped between the stones. Hence, to retrieve the gold, the soldiers [...]
Growth in the spirit results from obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22 (NASB), “Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of [...]
The Bible is silent about what Jesus was doing between 12-30 years of age. However, he probably learned the trade of carpentry from his stepfather, Joseph, as was the custom in those days. He also did not permit himself to stand out and perform [...]
Will murderers be with God in heaven? Heaven is only a reward for faithful Christians. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NET), “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived!… Some of you once lived this way. [...]
If by chastise, punishment is meant, the simple and blunt answer is No! We are not to chastise our brethren since we are not their parent. Only the Lord, our mutual Father, has the right and responsibility to chastise a brother or a sister. [...]
When God created Adam and Eve, they were perfect. God declared that their creation was “very good”. (Genesis 1:27, 31.) They were placed in the Garden of Eden where the living conditions were perfect and everything necessary to sustain their lives was provided. God [...]
John 2:19-22 (NASB), “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking of [...]
Summary: God is not directing the defenses of nations today. Usually, the kings of the cities would conscript people to erect fortifications and walls. 1Kings 9:15 (NIV), “Here is the account of the forced labor King Solomon conscripted to build the LORD's temple, his [...]
God chose the strong, capable Saul as Israel’s first king. Saul began his reign humbly and reverently. However, over time, King Saul put his desires before God’s will and over Israel’s well-being. Saul’s reverence for God gradually diminished.Once, Saul was instructed to wait seven days [...]
In Matthew 19:17-30, Jesus instructed that to be “saved” we need to give up our earthly possessions and follow him. Following Jesus requires the sacrifice not only of earthly things but of our wills to obey God’s will. A heavenly resurrection is a reward [...]
Jesus gave only the apostles the authorization to “forgive or retain sins” (John 20:23) and to bind or loose things in heaven and on earth (Matthew 18:18). But what do these words mean? Many misunderstand the nature of these commissions, forgetting that God alone [...]
Summary: Forgiveness is dependent upon our faith in God’s word. A Christian embraces the truths in God’s word. We remember, “without faith it is impossible to please God,” (Hebrews 11:1). Consequently, we study the Bible, have faith in the scriptures, and apply it. In [...]
The book of Nahum is a prophecy against the city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria (current day Mosul, Iraq). History records that the Assyrians were ruthless and cruel to their captives. Sadly, parts of Judea were under Assyrian control. In God's judgment, it was [...]
When God created Adam and Eve, they were created in His image. (Genesis 1:26, 27.) They had God’s perfect laws of love and justice written in their hearts. The Apostle Paul explains that all mankind (including Gentiles) knows right from wrong. “Indeed, when Gentiles, [...]
In Leviticus 18, God commanded Israel to set aside one tenth of all they had to be offered to Him. When Israel began to inherit the promised land, God designated different geographical locations for each tribe. The tribe of Levi, however, was not given [...]
What is the Kingdom in this verse? Jesus referenced the kingdom earlier in Matthew 6:10, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.” Jesus was teaching an earthly salvation (for mankind) as well as a heavenly salvation [...]
Procrastination and laziness can be related. When people procrastinate their responsibilities, there is a tendency to choose pleasure (television, naps, etc.) over work. King Solomon addressed this issue in Proverbs 6:6-11 (NIV). “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! [...]
If these verses were taken literally and in isolation, it would seem to promote violence. However, Jesus never contradicts Himself. Compare the Matthew passage with His words in John 18:16, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, [...]
