The Ideal What kind of men and women does the Lord use mightily in ministry? In answer to this question, we tend to think of individuals who seem very different from us. We might envision a strong, gifted evangelist who boldly preaches Christ to the masses. Perhaps we think of a rugged, pioneer missionary who…
Read MoreIn addition to the prayers of our Savior, the prayers of the apostle Paul offer excellent material for the Christian to study if he seeks to grow in his prayer life. Paul’s prayer for the Philippian believers is one such example. Found in Philippians 1:9-11, it is full of theological material for any Christian to…
Read More“Are those wild camels?” Our questions must sound ridiculous to the native tour guides. As we ascended the heights of Mount Nebo in our tour bus, the guide patiently answered. “There are no wild camels in Jordan. Camels are very valuable. One camel costs 5000 US dollars. They all belong to someone.” As I…
Read MoreJude’s purpose for his letter his clear: “I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). What is “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints,” what does it mean to “contend” for it, and why…
Read MoreOne of the reasons that Paul wrote to the church in Corinth was to address the sexual sin that was tolerated by the fellowship. He wrote “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. …
Read MoreRick Warren is making a splash in recent days over something his church, Saddleback Church, did last year, ordaining women to the pastoral ministry. That happened on May 6, 2021. Subsequently, Rick Warren retired as pastor, installing Andy Wood as the new senior pastor with Wood’s wife, Stacie listed as a “teaching pastor” at the…
Read MoreThe Fall in the garden seriously marred the image of God in man and made man an object of God’s just wrath (Eph. 2:2, 3). But from eternity past God has had a mission. He is on a mission to redeem and restore fallen people to the likeness of His Son to the praise of…
Read MoreIn Romans 3, the Apostle Paul confronts the logic games that he knows that the Jews would make regarding the nature of their Jewish privilege. The contention of the Jews is that they inherit the promises of God by blood. He argues it is by faith and that unbelief does not mean that God is…
Read MoreHow do we rightly respond to suffering? This is the first post in a fivefold series to teach us a powerful truth from James 1:2–18: As you face overwhelming trials, responding with an attitude of joy will only be possible by a correct perspective of your faith in God. Quickly summarizing James 1:2–18, James teaches…
Read MoreJesus said, And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matt.10:22). One of the keys to enduring to the end is found in the root word of “endure” (hupomeno) which is to “abide” (meno). We must have an abiding relationship with…
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