Silence in Heaven (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeAs Revelation 5 opens, the apostle John sees a scroll, sealed with seven seals, in the right hand of God. The only One worthy to open the seals is the Lamb of God. . . .
10-Jul-15
Would Jesus Approve of Same-Sex Marriage?
by Richard T. RitenbaughIn an interview on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, former President Jimmy Carter waded into the current American cultural and political debate on homosexuality. ...
03-Jul-15
The Pursuit of Excellence (Part Two)
by Clyde FinkleaThe Christian concept of excellence is far different from this world’s idea of competitive superiority over others. The Bible's teaching does not include any notion of climbing over others to reach the top of one's field of endeavor. ...
26-Jun-15
The Pursuit of Excellence (Part One)
by Clyde FinkleaThe American Heritage Dictionary defines excellence as “the state, quality, or condition of excelling; superiority. The verb excel means “to do or be better than; surpass; to show superiority, surpass others.” It and its synonyms all suggest the idea of going beyond a limit or standard. ...
19-Jun-15
Called To Be Saints (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeIn modern parlance, the term "calling" has a synonym that takes this principle even further: "vocation." It means "purpose in life," not in the sense of something that is accomplished at the end of a life, but rather what a person devotes his life to on an ongoing basis. Our calling by God to perfect holiness is our true vocation. ...
12-Jun-15
Called To Be Saints (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeOne of the greatest blessings we have been given as Christians is our calling by God. When God calls us, He performs a miracle in our minds that results in our becoming more aware of spiritual truth, of our sinfulness, and of God and His claim on our lives. ...
05-Jun-15
No Need to Borrow
by Ronny H. GrahamSolomon declares in Proverbs 22:7, "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." How true that is! ...
22-May-15
What Is Your Talent?
by Pat HigginsMatthew 25:14-30 relates the Parable of the Talents. What are talents? Usually, we think about this word in terms of skills, abilities, or aptitudes. ...
15-May-15
What Happened to the Thief on the Cross? (Part Four)
by David C. GrabbeEven though interpreting Luke 23:43 as saying that Jesus Christ and the criminal would both be in Paradise that very day contradicts many clear scriptures, some still hold onto this idea because of the unique construction of the sentence. ...
08-May-15
What Happened to the Thief on the Cross? (Part Three)
by David C. GrabbeIf the thief on the cross lived again the day that he was crucified, ascending to heaven, not only would he have gone there without Jesus Christ, but he also would have been a jarring exception to the Bible’s clear statements ...
01-May-15
What Happened to the Thief on the Cross? (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeScripture shows plainly that Jesus’s body and soul were in “Hades”—the grave—for three days and three nights, starting on the day He died. ...
24-Apr-15
What Happened to the Thief on the Cross? (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeIn Luke 23:43, Jesus Christ tells one of the criminals being crucified next to Him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. ...
17-Apr-15
'I Want To Be First'
by Ronny H. GrahamWhat does it mean to be first? Those who have children have heard them say, "I want to be first!" or "I want to go first!" or "Pick me first!" or "I want the first bite!" Human nature has a desire to be first. God has certainly created us with the ability to compete or a desire to win. Maybe a better way to put it would be a desire and an ability to overcome. ...
10-Apr-15
Should Passover Be Observed for Seven Days?
by David C. GrabbeIn Ezekiel’s Millennial vision, he records God’s instructions for worship after Jesus Christ returns, including the annual festivals. Within this record, the instructions seem to say that the Passover should be observed for seven days ...
03-Apr-15
The Night of God's Vigil
by John W. RitenbaughWe find the only notable mention of what we now call the Night to Be Much Observed in Exodus 12:40-42: "Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. ..."
27-Mar-15
Jesus' Sufferings on Passover
by Ronny H. GrahamThe leaders of the Jews—the chief priests, elders, scribes, and Pharisees—had begun early in Jesus’ ministry trying to undermine Him and find a way to get rid of Him. ...
20-Mar-15
Is It Fair?
by Pat HigginsIn our society today, a great deal of talk about fairness leads to laws and policies to address unfairness. In Matthew 20, in the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, fairness becomes an issue. ...
13-Mar-15
Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeIn Part One, we saw that by the lifetime of Jesus Christ, the Jews had two competing ways to determine when to observe the Passover. One of them was observed by the people in their homes in the evening as Abib 14 began ...
06-Mar-15
Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeMatthew, Mark, and Luke, together called the Synoptic Gospels because of their similarities, each contain language that appears to put Jesus and the disciples’ Passover preparations and observance on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. ...
27-Feb-15
How Expensive Is Your Religion? (Part Three)
by Mike FordChristianity is not for the faint of heart. As we have seen, Jesus urges us to "count the cost" of discipleship to see if we have what it takes, and many of the patriarchs had to choose between God and family ...
20-Feb-15
How Expensive Is Your Religion? (Part Two)
by Mike FordWe all have stories of people we know or have known who experienced separation from friends and family due to their beliefs. ...
13-Feb-15
How Expensive Is Your Religion? (Part One)
by Mike FordSome years back, I had the opportunity to drive through southern Illinois several times. ...
06-Feb-15
Salvation: The Path to God's Kingdom (Part Two)
by John ReissIn Philippians 2:12, the apostle Paul encourages us to work out our “salvation with fear and trembling,” and Peter tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). ...
30-Jan-15
Salvation: The Path to God's Kingdom (Part One)
by John ReissWe sometimes take for granted what a precious honor it is to have been included in God’s plan of salvation. To think that God chose us from the billions of people who have ever lived and opened our minds ...
23-Jan-15
You Shall Love Your Neighbor (Part Three)
by John O. ReidBoth God the Father and Jesus Christ have modeled how we are to love one another. After giving the pattern in the life of Jesus shown in the Gospels, we are instructed "to walk just as He walked. . . . He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him." ...
16-Jan-15
You Shall Love Your Neighbor (Part Two)
by John O. ReidA well-known principle of Bible study is that repetition is among the best forms of emphasis. If God states something once, it is important, and if twice, ...
09-Jan-15
You Shall Love Your Neighbor (Part One)
by John O. ReidJesus had just confounded the Sadducees’ question concerning marriage in the resurrection, and their rivals, the Pharisees, were probably gloating at their discomfort. ...
02-Jan-15
Do You Have Enough Oil? (Part Three)
by David C. GrabbeIn Part Two, we saw that physical oil symbolizes wealth, abundance, health, energy, and a vital ingredient for a good life. It can likewise represent spiritual abundance, only possible through what God gives. ...
26-Dec-14
Do You Have Enough Oil? (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeThe Hebrew word translated as “oil” literally means “fat” or “grease,” but figuratively, it means “richness,” an important idea to keep in mind. The word is also translated as “fruitful.” ...
19-Dec-14
Do You Have Enough Oil? (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeMatthew 25:1-13 contains the well-known Parable of the Ten Virgins, an instruction brimming with end-time relevance: Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ...
12-Dec-14
Planning and Preparation (Part Two)
by Mike FordAllen Saunders, an American writer, journalist, and cartoonist, once said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans." So, why bother with planning? ...
05-Dec-14
Planning and Preparation (Part One)
by Mike FordA Yiddish proverb reads, "Man plans, God laughs." A variation on it advises, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell him you have a plan." ...
28-Nov-14
National False Witness
by John O. ReidIn a letter to subscribers, WND.com’s David Kupelian writes: "Half way through 2014, it’s incredible to behold what has happened to America. ..."
21-Nov-14
Laying Aside Every Weight (Part Three)
by David C. GrabbeIn giving a conclusion to the "faith chapter" of Hebrews 11, the author ties together all of the preceding examples of faithful heroes with an admonition to help his audience follow in their footsteps. ...
14-Nov-14
Laying Aside Every Weight (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeThe apostle Paul endured tremendous hardship, and his example teaches us that we have the ability—and even responsibility—to choose how we let our circumstances affect us. Paul had to decide whether to let his circumstances weigh him down or to rise above them so God could use him. ...
07-Nov-14
Laying Aside Every Weight (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeEven though all of mankind has had to deal with the devastating effects of sin, most of us know people who seem to be unburdened by the disappointments in life. Some appear to be essentially immune to bitterness and discouragement, despite having endured a tremendous amount of pain. What allows them to take the hits that life throws at them and keep going, while most people tend to become mired in the muck and bogged down by life's troubles?
31-Oct-14
Are You a Worrywart?
by Dan ElmoreIn His Sermon on the Mount, our Savior gives us some basic but very helpful and necessary advice about living as Christians in this world: "Therefore do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ..."
24-Oct-14
The Rain Comes Down
by Richard T. RitenbaughNow that a little more than a week has passed since the Last Great Day closed the fall festival season, we have had a chance to digest a lesson or two from our experiences during that time. ...
03-Oct-14
The Feast: Vacation or Holy Time?
by Mark SchindlerWill we let the physical circumstances of our lives determine this without making every effort to seek God's will diligently so that we do not fail in our duty to appear before Him?
26-Sep-14
The Peculiarities of Atonement
by Richard T. RitenbaughIt should not come as a surprise that the Day of Atonement is the most unusual holy day of the year. Each holy day has its distinctive traits. ...
19-Sep-14
Does the Bible Endorse Spanking?
by Richard T. RitenbaughAlong with the misdeeds of a handful of the NFL’s domestic violence offenders, the case against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson—accused of child abuse after whipping his son with a switch from a tree—has started countless conversations all over the country. ...
12-Sep-14
A Heavenly Homeland (Part Three)
by David C. GrabbeIn Christ, our earthly citizenships are essentially inconsequential. Paul writes in Philippians 3:19 about the enemies of Christ who "set their minds on earthly things" or "side with earthly things." One area in which we can evaluate how much our heavenly Kingdom means to us is how much we set our minds on earthly kingdoms.
05-Sep-14
A Heavenly Homeland (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeThe congregation at Colossae was being troubled by people who likely once had spiritual understanding but who had become enemies of Christ, having chosen to focus on the physical and temporal rather than the benefits and obligations of their heavenly citizenship.. ...
29-Aug-14
A Heavenly Homeland (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeWhen Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry, He started by preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43). ...
22-Aug-14
A Unique Curriculum (Part Two)
by Gary MontgomeryGod fashions our experiences, trials, and lessons for us on an individual basis, and as we learn from them, He desires that we help others get the most out of their experiences with Him. ...
15-Aug-14
A Unique Curriculum (Part One)
by Gary MontgomerySeveral years ago, I was driving in downtown Springfield, Missouri, and came to a stop light. I was heading east on a very busy day. As I watched the traffic ...
08-Aug-14
Why Is Life So Hard? (Part Three)
by David C. GrabbeThe author of Hebrews 12:5-11 teaches us not to despise the rigors, the difficulties, that come from God, but to take them as evidence of God’s work with us: "And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons ..."
01-Aug-14
Why Is Life So Hard? (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeIn Part One, we saw that pressure, hardship, and anguish are not elements of a Christian’s life that suddenly disappear because of faith and God's calling. It also became clear that trial ...
25-Jul-14
Why Is Life So Hard? (Part One)
by David C. Grabbe“Why is each day such a struggle?” We have all likely asked such a question during those times when it seems nothing is going right for us. And we probably already know its answer ...
18-Jul-14
From Glory to Glory
by John ReissThe apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-2, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ...
11-Jul-14
Did Christ's Resurrection Change the Day of Worship? (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeIn the face of the Bible’s consistent teaching, theologians justify their breaking of the Sabbath and their worship on Sunday by saying that they are honoring the day of Christ’s resurrection. ...
04-Jul-14
Did Christ's Resurrection Change the Day of Worship? (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeIn the Christian era, the Sabbath has been a point of controversy since at least the fourth century AD, when the Roman Catholic Church assumed the authority to change the day of worship from the seventh day to the first. ...