Articles

When interpreting scripture some view the words wrath and tribulation as if they are interchangeable. They are not. Wrath is the results of anger. God’s wrath is the results of His righteous anger. Tribulation is trouble. Tribulations may be the results of nature, God’s testing, God’s correction, persecution or any of the many other sources of trouble. All who live in this world eventually experience tribulation. Yes, even Gods people experience tribulations – troubles. In Jo

Worship as a noun is that adoration, homage, reverence, and honor that we give to another. Worship as a verb is to admire, esteem, revere, and honor another. Clearly when God tells us to NOT worship anyone or anything except Him (Exodus 20:3-4, Matthew 4:10), He means more than to admire, honor, or respect another person. We are told in scriptures (1 Peter 2:17) to “honor” the king, and to “honor” all men.  Honor and respect and esteem are value sensitive commodities. For exa

What does that really mean in the context of scripture. Psalms 37:4-5 has been misunderstood bringing disappointment and doubt to many in the family of God. Let’s look closely at these scriptures and others that may help us in our understanding. Psalm 37:4-5  Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit you way unto the Lord , trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass. At first glance, this seems to be a formula for getting a

There is no single answer to this question. The answers are varied, depending on the circumstances surrounding each situation. But what circumstances, you may ask, could warrant the continued allowance of such great suffering as we see all over the world? Most of the suffering in this world need not be, but is brought about by the wickedness of mankind. Mankind could easily rid this world of most of it’s suffering if it were not for his selfishness; his sin. He is allowed by

Have you ever met someone who was void of ill will for anyone? What a great way to be. What a pleasant person to be around. You can be confident that no matter the shortcomings in your life, they will never use them to belittle you. They will only desire your good. You can be confident of their unconditional love. Then there are those who desire the demise of others. Often this is the means they use to elevate themselves. They desire to be thought of highly, and work to achie

John the Baptist spoke of such: “ I indeed baptize you with water but one mightier than I is coming, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”. (Luke 3:16) Jesus spoke of such: “ For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now”. (Acts 1:5) Peter & Joel spoke of such: “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in t

Throughout church history a great error has continued to infect the church’s theology. Many preachers and paperback theologians, erroneously teach that God’s will is for all Christians to have an over-abundance of worldly things. They teach that the reason some don’t have these things is their lack of faith. Others teach the Bible, showing that love for these things indicates that your heart isn’t right with God. Let’s read 1 John 2:15-16. Verse 15; “ Do not love the world or

Who Am I? Where Did I Come From? What’s My Purpose Here? Where Am I Going? These questions, to varying degrees, have vexed all of mankind. There seems to be a need to know these things in each of us. They are reasonable questions that we all have asked. Parents often give us our first answers to these questions. Whatever they may teach us, it still seems that we must find answers for ourselves. Real peace and contentment in this life only comes when we are assured of these an

What Is A World View? A set of beliefs used to form opinions about life, duties, responsibilities, truth, family, etc. What Should The Christian’s World View Be? A Christian should view all that is in and of this life in the light of the Holy Bible. Beliefs that have helped me to shape my worldview: God has a goal. His goal has not changed (Ephesians 1:4, Genesis 12:3c, Galatians 3:16, Job 19:25-27). Because of God’s gift to mankind— his freewill— God’s means of attaining His

What Are Personal Convictions? When Are They Appropriate? “Convictions” & “Personal Convictions”,  What’s The Difference? Conviction is defined as a fixed or firm belief. So we Christians probably have a lot of convictions. Many of our convictions bring us into a close relationship with one another. Other convictions tend to separate us from one another. Understanding why we have the convictions that we have, can do a lot in removing walls of separation. Why do you believe th

I have found no reason in scriptures to believe that the gift of tongues is not real, or that it is not for the church today. I believe the true gift of tongues has been shunned because of the abundance of counterfeits. Tongues and counterfeit tongues are often misused in the church today. Some teach that today’s tongues are satanic or hysteria. Many may be. Just as counterfeits will decrease the value of money, counterfeits have caused this gift to be not valued by much of t

How Can God Be Just In Their Condemnation? First, God can be just in their condemnation because they are all guilty.  All have sinned (Romans 3:23). But the love of God offers an invitation to all, even though all have rebelled against Him and against righteousness (Romans 5:8).  How does He offer this invitation? He has poured out His Spirit on everyone (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17). His Spirit convinces everyone of sin (what’s wrong), of righteousness (what’s right), and of judgme

The scriptures teach that there is a sin that is unpardonable (Mark 3:28-29). The scriptures also say that He will forgive “all sin” (1 John 1:7). How can this be? All sin is forgiven when the sinner comes God’s way—confesses and repents. Whoever has committed the unpardonable sin, will not come God’s way. When we understand that we have sinned, and we then repent, He then forgives (Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 7:10).  1 John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light as He is in the lig

The real Christ never failed? But every one of His followers has. That’s why He had to come and purchase our redemption—buy us back from the bondage of sin. You may respond, “But now that I’ve been redeemed, what if I fail?” You will. Just as surely as a baby learning to walk will fall, you “a babe in Christ” will fail. It will grieve you greatly to know that you have failed your Father and you fellow Christians. You will look to your Father, get up and try again. Each time t

I would like to share with you my understanding of the place of emotions in worship when we gather with the saints. The question is not so much what is right, as when and where it is right. The answer is found in I Corinthians 14:26 — “Let all things be done unto edifying “. Worship can bring about almost any expression of emotions. Emotions are good, but like any good thing it can be misused. A church service without expression of emotions is dry and unappealing to say the l

Separation and/or divorce is a subject of  interest to many people today, even God’s people. His Word has given His people guidelines concerning this subject–guidelines that are CLEAR and HOLY and REASONABLE. Let’s examine the Holy Word. It will be helpful to realize that when Jesus was teachings on this subject He was speaking to the Old Covenant people. They were not allowed to marry unbelievers, therefore Jesus was speaking concerning married believers. Later Paul deals wi

1 Corinthians 11:3.  But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Paul’s words here establish the topic of instruction thru verse 16. “Head” in this verse is used in the sense of authority. Christ, in this verse, is said to be subject to God. That does not make Christ any less God himself, for He is God. His manifestation of the Godhead is willingly serving as the godhead deems best. Performing your task

In the scriptures there are two types of sin. One type brings guilt; the other does not. Therefore, one brings judgment; the other does not. Distinction is made between these two types of sin all through the Bible. Let’s look at some references. First in Numbers 15:27-28: And if any person sins unintentionally, then he shall bring a female goat in its first year as a sin offering. So the priest shall make an atonement for the person who sins unintentionally, when he sins uni

I once read a story that went something like this: Once there were two men who, intoxicated, came one night to where their boat was tied. Wanting to return home, they got in and began to row. They rowed hard all night, wondering why they never got to the other side of the bay. When the gray dawn of day broke, they were amazed. They had never untied the boat from the dock or raised the anchor. If you’re not making progress in your living for God, maybe it’s because you’re tied

Jesus told a parable and Matthew shared it with us in Matthew 21:33-44. You’ve probably read it before, but let’s read it again. “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his serva