One of the primary obstacles to Christ blessings a church is that the pastor has strayed from teaching the Bible to his own ideas and opinions. From John 7:16-17, what is the hidden cause for this? Why does this occur so often?
In John 7:16, 17 we read, “Jesus answered them, and said, ‘My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.’” Jesus felt a deep obligation to make sure he was teaching the Word [...]
What does it mean to "prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies"? Psalm 23:5
Among Christians, some of the most often quoted and beloved Old Testament scriptures are found in the 23rd Psalm. In very few words, these six verses paint a vivid picture of God’s overwhelming care for His children. The imagery of a shepherd knowing and caring for his sheep speaks to our helplessness as we, as God’s children, [...]
Who was the first Christian? Who started the Christian movement originally?
It is a challenge to determine who the first Christian might be.One might say the first Christians were those who first followed Jesus. John 1:36-51 lists a number of men who later became apostles: Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip, and Nathanael. But there were different phases of commitment, culminating in the pouring out of the holy [...]
How do you know if you're a prophet? Most people today think they are certain titles but their calling could be totally different.
In Matthew 23:1-30, Jesus warns his disciples to avoid the love of worldly pride and prestige that were enjoyed by the religious leadership of the time. In his words, Jesus emphasizes the importance of recognizing God alone as the supreme authority of all things. He further reminds his disciples that he himself, Jesus, is the [...]
Why do we need rules?
When we are young, the thought of having no rules and getting to do “whatever we want” sounds pretty good! But actually, without rules, our lives would be disorganized and confused. Rules keep us safe. When drivers follow the rules of the road, there are fewer accidents. Imagine if there were no traffic rules [...]
During Israel’s 40 years wandering in the desert, I’ve read they fought battles. Did they have losses?
In Exodus 17 we read that Israel was attached by the Amalekites in an area called Rephidim, thought to be in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula. From the description in Deuteronomy 25 and Exodus 17, it appears Israel did have losses.“Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way as ye came forth [...]