November 29, 2023

Is It Possible to End Poverty?

Homeless

Many people – both Christians and non-Christians – are concerned about the poor. Individuals and families provide money and resources to help those who are in need. Charitable organizations have been established to provide assistance to the less fortunate. Many government programs are funded supposedly for the purpose of ending poverty. Yet poverty still exists.

Some hold to the idealistic notion that poverty can be eliminated. Yet, it is not possible to do this in the fallen world in which we live. Jesus said, “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me” (John 12:8). In other words, there will always be people in poverty. Why is that? To answer that question, let us first consider a few reasons why people are poor.Continue Reading

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July 8, 2021

Young Adults Wasting Their Prime Years (07.08.21)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re going to be talking about the number of young adults who are not doing anything. A recent study found that about one fifth of young adults are not employed, not in school, and not receiving training for future work. What does the Bible have to say about this? And how might this affect the church in the future? We’re going to talk about that today.Continue Reading

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September 30, 2020

What the Bible Says about Sleep

Bed

Sleep is one of the few activities in which all humans participate. Our health, mood, mental ability, and performance of tasks depend on the quantity and quality of our sleep.

The Bible speaks of sleep – both literally and figuratively. In this article, we are going to consider four types of sleep discussed in the Scriptures.Continue Reading

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June 15, 2020

Social Issues (Part 12): Busyness

Social Issues

Busyness is familiar to all of us. It is the condition in which we have a great deal to do and not enough time to do it. This could be due to actual responsibilities, perceived duties, self-imposed obligations, and also time-wasting activities.

Those who argue in favor of busyness will often do so by contrasting it with laziness or idleness (even though these are not exact opposites). Those who view busyness as a virtue typically believe they are simply making the most of their time rather than wasting it.Continue Reading

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September 25, 2018

Go to the Ant, O Sluggard (Season 11, Episode 5)

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Go to the Ant, O Sluggard (Season 11, Episode 5)

In this season, we’re discussing some lessons from the book of Proverbs.

In this episode, we’re going to be noticing a few passages from the book of Proverbs containing admonitions to the sluggard.

Mentioned in this episode:

  • My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs – This is a “topical commentary” I wrote on the book of Proverbs. Follow the link for more information. If you decide to pick up a copy, use coupon code Proverbs5 at checkout to receive $5 off and free shipping.
  • Plain Bible Study Guides – These are designed to help Christians engage in profitable studies of the Scriptures. The study guides include a straightforward explanation of the text and questions at the end of each lesson, making them useful for both individual and group Bible studies.

If you found this episode to be useful, please share it with others. Also, if you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. This also helps others hear about the podcast. Thanks.

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May 24, 2016

Is Taking Time to Worship a Sign of Laziness? (Season 2, Episode 5)

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Is Taking Time to Worship a Sign of Laziness? (Season 2, Episode 5)

It is not often you will hear religious people actually say something to this effect – that taking time to worship is a sign of laziness. However, many people choose their busy lives – particularly their work – over worship. The supposed “need” to be busy working trumps their real need to worship. There are many people today who cannot seem to take time away from their busy schedules to worship God or assemble with the saints. If there is work to be done, that takes priority in the minds of many. In this episode, we will see how worshiping God is not an act of laziness, but righteousness.

Article: Is Taking Time to Worship God a Sign of Laziness?

If you found this episode to be useful, please share it with others. Also, if you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. This also helps others hear about the podcast. Thanks.

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November 16, 2009

The Fertile Fields of Sin in Sodom

Lot and the Men of Sodom

Shortly after receiving the promises from God, Abram (Abraham) journeyed out of Egypt with his nephew Lot (Genesis 13:1). A problem soon arose between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen because the land was unable to support all of their livestock (Genesis 13:6-7). Abram proposed that they separate in order to resolve the conflict and allowed Lot to choose which direction he would go (Genesis 13:8-9). Notice what the text says about his decision:

“Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord… So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. […] Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom” (Genesis 13:10-12).

While the area around Sodom provided fertile ground for his livestock, Lot ignored a very significant fact about the city: “The men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord” (Genesis 13:13). Just as the ground was fertile to produce vegetation, conditions among the inhabitants of Sodom were fertile to produce the great wickedness in that city.
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