In this, our introductory message to the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul immediately identifies his commitment to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will go on throughout this great book of scripture to stress time and again that the gospel is man’s only hope of salvation and the very reason God sent His Son.
Are there still Apostles of the Lord among us and active in the church? What does the scripture have to say about the requirements and responsibilities of an Apostle? Here is a search through the New Testament that will provide answers to these very questions.
This familiar story from the first chapter of the OT book of Ruth reminds us that we don’t need to be worrying, fretting, forcing the issue, or running ahead of God. There is great wisdom in WAITING on God and letting Him lead and guide and order our steps.
Usually we are asking the Lord for His blessings, but when is the last time you blessed the Lord? What happens in our Christian life when we bless the Lord?
Our personal relationships with others really do affect our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Here is some biblical instruction on how to make reconciliation a priority and maintain a good relationship with God.
Every Christian is endowed with a spiritual gift at the moment of salvation by the Holy Spirit. What are these gifts? What are they for? How do we know we are successfully using them?
If you know Christ as Savior and Lord, you are involved in quite a journey here on earth; the Bible refers to it as a “race”. How do we run it successfully, joyfully, and fruitfully?
The writer of Hebrews spells out for us the secret to true contentment and living without fear in these time-tested promises of Jesus. He will never leave us or forsake us!
Everything the local church needs is provided by God through the giving of spiritual gifs to His children. Each of us has a gift that is to be used in His body, the church so that the church functions properly and impacts this world.
There’s a great difference between knowing the “ways” of God and knowing His “acts”. Moses knew His ways! Are we content to be interested in God, even infatuated with Him, but not becoming intimate in our relationship with Him?
Jesus concludes the kingdom parables with the illustration of the drag net, drawing all men into final judgment. We don’t like to hear about hell and eternal retribution, but it is the most loving and kind thing Jesus could do for us - warn us of coming judgment and invite us to escape it by accepting his offer of forgiveness and eternal life!
This command to be "filled with the Spirit" is often overlooked by God's people. Our lives are to be permeated, influenced in every part by the Holy Spirit as we yield our lives to His control. It is not a "feeling", but rather a "filling."
In the kingdom parables of the treasure hid in a field and the pearl of great price Jesus reminds us of the tremendous price He paid to redeem Israel and to purchase salvation for His body, the church. His death proves our value to God.
What does it really mean to be baptized by the Holy Spirit?
Jesus is continuing His teaching of the Kingdom Parables to the disciples and relates truths illustrated by the mustard seed and leaven. We can expect that truth and error will grow side by side and each will have their converts. Some of Satan's biggest lies are in the religious realm!
What is the Holy Spirit doing in this world today? The Apostle John, along with other New Testament writers, detail His important work in deterring evil and drawing people to Christ.
Join us as we rediscover the Person of the Holy Spirit.
In his conclusion to the book of Ecclesiastes, wise Solomon instructs us to pay attention to the decisions we make today for they will make or break our tomorrows. He affirms the seriousness of life by reminding us that we all have an appointment one day with God Almighty. Live life in such a way that you will be ready for that appointment!
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus gives a sober warning in the parable of the wheat and the tares that many in the church are not true believers but are just actors. It’s time to stop playing church! One day we will stand before the Judge of all and our true identity will be revealed.
These early Christians in the city of Thessalonica displayed a genuine conversion to Jesus Christ and their testimony bore the faith, hope, and love that is truly characteristic of followers of Jesus. Their faith was widely spoken of, even before mass communication was thought of!
Solomon in his wisdom reminds us that the wise man is the careful man and the fool is careless. A little bit of foolishness can ruin the testimony and reputation of an otherwise respectable person. Here are the things we need to be careful about.
The most important question for every person is "Do I know for sure that I am a Christian?" The Apostle John gives us some fool-proof evidence that will help us cement in our minds the assurance that God intends for us to have regarding our relationship with Him through the Son.
Death is "the great equalizer" for all of mankind. No one can escape their appointment with death. But the way we live has a lot to do with how we will die. Here is a good perspective from Solomon on how to prepare for that inevitable day.
Does God actually want us to be happy as we go through life? The answer is YES! But it starts with true humility. Here are some thoughts from Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, about what he discovered concerning truly being happy in life.
Many who say they are a believer in Jesus Christ are not "followers" of Christ. A true disciple continues to follow Jesus and obey His Word. Here are some characteristics of those who are religious, but have no relationship with God and His Son.
The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, gives us some insight into the kind of wisdom that God gives. It's ours for the asking according to James the Apostle (James 1:5) and will help us navigate the road of life successfully.
Many of God's children have never grown up! The writer of Hebrews gives us some of the signs of spiritual immaturity and encourages us to go on to "perfection", or a mature stature in Christ. Are you growing in the Lord and in His Word?
Wisdom cries out, "Here is what I look like!" She defines herself with several indisputable characteristics in this Proverb. God is not hiding His wisdom from us and encourages us to ask for it (James 1:5). Are you on a pursuit for God's wisdom?
Solomon stated in Proverbs 4:7 that "wisdom is the principal thing" and acquiring it is a life long occupation for the child of God. But often we go about that in a very different manner than is prescribed in God's Word. In today's text we learn from several paradoxes just how wisdom is manifested in our lives.
Psalm 24 masterfully describes our King, the King of glory, who ministered in Galilee, prayed in Gethsemane, was tried at Gabbatha, suffered on Golgotha, claimed victory over the grave and is seated in glory! One day He will return as rightful ruler over all of creation and of our lives.
