March 12, 2014

How Long Will You Hesitate Between Two Opinions?

Fork in the Road

Just before Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he issued a challenge to the people of Israel who had gathered to witness the event.

“Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him a word” (1 Kings 18:21).

The people were presented with a choice between two options – follow God or follow Baal. Similarly, we have choices to make about our personal conduct and religion. Many people like to think that they have a multitude of options from which to choose. But when you break down every decision, there are really just two options – follow God or not.
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January 1, 2014

New Year’s Resolutions: Start, Stop, Improve

2014Often when people make New Year’s resolutions, they begin with the words start, stop, or improve (or synonyms of these words) – start exercising, stop smoking, improve spending habits, etc. As we grow and mature, it is good to improve in all areas of our lives; but it is particularly important to improve our spiritual lives. So as we begin a new year, I want to suggest some resolutions for all of us to consider as we seek to please the Lord.
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December 23, 2013

Some Things Never Change

Man on a Mountain at Night

As one year quickly draws to a close, it is customary for us to look back at the changes that have taken place in our lives and look ahead to changes that may be coming in the future. While our lives are filled with change, it is important for us to remember that there are some things that never change. In this brief article, I want us to be reminded of a few of these.
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October 30, 2013

How to Find the Way of Escape

Esc key

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he told the brethren that temptation is “common to man.” In other words, it is to be expected. Unfortunately, all of us have given in to temptation at one time or another. Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

However, even though we have sinned in the past, that does not mean that we must do so again in the future, giving in to the same temptations over and over. We need to learn how to find the “way of escape” so that we might keep ourselves from sin. In this article, we will discuss what the Scriptures teach about how to find the way of escape.
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October 23, 2013

Teaching Questions

Jesus as a Boy in the Temple

In our last article, we looked at some good questions asked of a teacher that related to spiritual things. However, not all questions are asked by those needing information. Sometimes questions are asked by a teacher as a way to challenge his audience. Notice the example of Jesus when He was a young boy:

“Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers” (Luke 2:46-47).

Jesus was God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14). He was not asking questions because He lacked understanding and was seeking instruction. He asked questions as a way to teach. The understanding and answers He imparted while His flesh and blood body was just twelve years old amazed those who heard Him.

This was not the only time Jesus employed this method of teaching. In this article, we will notice just a few examples in the Scriptures of questions that were asked by teachers as a way to lead their hearers to the truth.
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August 14, 2013

Seated at the Right Hand of God

At the beginning of the book of Hebrews, the writer began by reminding the brethren that Jesus was God’s spokesman for “these last days” (Hebrews 1:2). He then explained how Jesus was qualified for this position:

“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).

In this short article, I want to focus on part of this description of Christ. So for a few moments, I invite you to consider with me the last part of this verse: “When He had made purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” If we understand this phrase, we will have a fundamental understanding of the gospel of Christ and why His new law is superior to the Law of Moses.
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July 17, 2013

What All Men Have in Common

Handshake

People are different. Sadly, there are some who unfairly judge or even hate others simply because they are of a different race, culture, economic class, etc. Christians are to “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24) and “abound in love for one another, and for all people” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). In order to do this, we need to remember what all men have in common rather than focus too much on certain differences that may exist.

In this article, we will consider seven things which all of us have in common.
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