What Makes This a 'Good' Friday?
by Richard T. RitenbaughDuring this "holy week" we have Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Holy Saturday, and finally, Easter Sunday. We should not forget today's observance of Good Friday! Many people would say "Good Friday" is an ...
31-Mar-23
Compassion
by Gary MontgomeryOver the years, we have watched many television news stories that have brought the evils of humanity into our living rooms. We have witnessed snippets of the proverbial “wars and rumors of wars” that occur ...
24-Mar-23
'We Live to the Lord'
by Richard T. RitenbaughHow many of us — Christians, disciples of our Savior Jesus Christ, begotten children of God, the elect — lead lives based on the principle the apostle Paul presents in Romans 14:7-8?
17-Mar-23
Rejection Is a Two-Way Street
by Gary MontgomeryAs children, most of us experienced rejection. For whatever reason, we felt no one cared for us. We perceived a wrongness from the way others - friends, teachers, cousins, even parents - treated us. We did ...
10-Mar-23
Mastering the Cause of Sin
by Joshua MontgomeryWhat is sin? Perhaps it is more appropriate to ask, why do we sin? The answer should help us better understand our behavior and how to overcome it. The natural laws of physics will help us see the ...
03-Mar-23
The Illusion of Control
by Steven SkidmorePeace activist, Buddhist monk, and author Thich Nhat Hanh notably stated: “People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” ...
24-Feb-23
Rumors Will Fly
by John O. ReidIt was late summer or perhaps early fall of 1952 in Korea. My company was dug in along the thirty-eighth parallel in a railroad bed in the area referred to as "The Iron Triangle." The Chinese controlled the ...
17-Feb-23
A Contrite Heart
by Ronny H. GrahamAt this time of year, Christians must do some soul searching, taking a deep look at themselves and examining their nature before taking advantage of the privilege of observing the Passover. For some, ...
10-Feb-23
One Choice
by Richard T. RitenbaughWestern civilization is fixated on the matter of free choice. Everyone wants to be able to choose whatever beliefs, behaviors, and lifestyles seem best to them, and in principle, it is hard to . . .
03-Feb-23
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
by John W. RitenbaughThe sequence of petitions in the second half of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:11-12) tells us that we should pray daily for the food we need for that day. The next request is for God's forgiveness of our ...
27-Jan-23
The Reviler
by Ronny H. GrahamWe have all probably experienced it. We are driving down the road, minding our own business, obeying the traffic laws, when another motorist vents his spleen at us, flashing a rude gesture out the window ...
20-Jan-23
Be Vigilant!
by Gary MontgomeryJesus Christ says in Matthew 24:42-44: 'Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, ...'
13-Jan-23
The Light of the Body
by Ronny H. GrahamThe eye is more sophisticated than any human device on earth. Even mankind’s most advanced technologies cannot come close to the eye’s intricate craftsmanship. For example, beyond its beauty, ...
06-Jan-23
The Philadelphia Syndrome (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbePart One began considering some of the mental inclinations and spiritual effects that resulted from the Worldwide Church of God seeing itself — rightly or wrongly — in Christ’s letter to Philadelphia ...
30-Dec-22
The Philadelphia Syndrome (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeThe Worldwide Church of God (WCG) saw itself in Jesus Christ’s letter to Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13. It based much of its belief on the mention of an “open door”: “I know your works. See, I have ...
23-Dec-22
Thanking God for Jesus Christ
by John ReissThe world will soon celebrate Christmas. Everywhere we look, we see reminders of the season — mostly colorful lights, evergreen trees, stockings hung on mantles, and white-bearded men in red and white ...
16-Dec-22
A Season of Deception
by Gary Montgomery‘Tis the season—for deception. Most of the world is about to observe the annual winter holiday known as “Christmas.” Millions of people believe they are celebrating the birth of the Christ-Child on ...
09-Dec-22
The 75-Cent Screwdriver (Part Two)
by Austin Del CastilloWe live in a world that has descended to an unprecedented moral low; we witness daily more lawlessness and perversion than our parents and grandparents ever did. Everywhere we turn, we see ...
02-Dec-22
The 75-Cent Screwdriver (Part One)
by Austin Del CastilloIn II Corinthians 13:5, the apostle Paul encourages us to ponder whether we are in the faith or just playing church. We usually take this most seriously as the Passover approaches, but we should be ...
25-Nov-22
How Far Have We Really Come?
by Richard T. RitenbaughWe like to think of ourselves living in the most advanced civilization that has ever graced this fair planet. Before we make such an assertion, though, it is probably a good idea for us to define ...
18-Nov-22
Getting Things Done (Part Two)
by John ReissPart One introduced Atomic Habits, a book written by James Clear, whose premise is that a person can accomplish exceptional goals by consistently performing minor habits. The principles he lays out ...
11-Nov-22
Getting Things Done (Part One)
by John ReissComedienne Lucille Ball once said, “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do.” James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, agrees with her statement ...
04-Nov-22
The Good Teacher (Part Two)
by Levi W. GrahamIn Part One, we examined Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 18:18-23). Jesus immediately strikes at the heart of the young man’s spiritual problem in His reply to his question ...
28-Oct-22
The Good Teacher (Part One)
by Levi W. GrahamWe have all heard a variation of the phrase, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” This wise instruction conveys to the listener the idea that he or she could prevent an unnecessary ...
21-Oct-22
Already Immortal?
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh"And the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die." This little, five-word sentence was Satan the Devil's opening salvo to convince Adam and Eve that they could disregard God's commands without ...
14-Oct-22
Building on a Perfect Foundation
by Richard T. RitenbaughAs we all know, a foundation plays an essential role in the construction and preservation of a building. One look at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the freestanding bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral, ...
07-Oct-22
Fear and Trembling
by John W. RitenbaughOne beautiful summer afternoon, as a welder in a steel mill, I was performing a task that required a fair amount of concentration. ...
30-Sep-22
The Narcissism of Small Differences
by Steven SkidmoreWe live in a culture driven by an ideology centered around individualism. People spend their free time trying to carve out unique identities for themselves, striving to distinguish themselves ...
23-Sep-22
The Essential Facts of the Feast of Tabernacles
by John ReissA well-worn writing technique originated in ancient Greece with Aristotle. In this method, to ensure he has all the essential facts of a matter, a researcher, investigator, or reporter will use what ...
16-Sep-22
Bridle the Tongue
by Gary MontgomeryHow often have we said to ourselves, “I wish I hadn’t said that”? Human beings always have a hard time controlling what they say whether when conversing with others, when we become angry, or ...
09-Sep-22
The Perils of Double-Mindedness (Part Two)
by David F. MaasWhen Jesus says in His Beatitudes, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8), He refers not only to clean or chaste thoughts but also to “undivided,” “unmixed,” “unadulterated,” “genuine,” and “sincere” ones. ...
02-Sep-22
The Perils of Double-Mindedness (Part One)
by David F. MaasHave you ever experienced talking on the phone while someone in the room asks a question or tried to converse with another while the television competes for your attention? Have you ever found yourself around ...
26-Aug-22
The Feast Is Coming!
by John O. ReidAs the Feast of Tabernacles approaches, I cannot help but remember 1965, when my family kept our first Feast in Long Beach, California. Even though it was in a city setting and traffic snarled ...
19-Aug-22
Unsharpened (Part Two)
by Joseph B. BaityNot long ago, a headline read, “Depressing Survey Results Show How Extremely Stupid America Has Become." If we substitute the word “dull” for “stupid” in this headline, the point becomes clear. ...
12-Aug-22
Unsharpened (Part One)
by Joseph B. BaityAs children of God, we realize that when the Father brings us to Christ, a relationship begins; we are called into fellowship with the Father and His Son, as I John 1:3 says so plainly. That fellowship is ...
05-Aug-22
Persevering to the End
by John W. RitenbaughJeremiah 30:5-7 alerts us to consider that the time of the end will be unique and horrific to experience, but it concludes with a comforting hope that we can persevere through it: For thus says the LORD: "We have heard ...
29-Jul-22
Spiritual Gifts: Unity, Edification, and Order
by Richard T. RitenbaughThe members of the early Corinthian church held a keen interest in spiritual gifts. The congregation’s founder, the apostle Paul, notes early in his first epistle to those in Corinth that God had “enriched ...
22-Jul-22
Spiritual Gifts, an Overview
by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus Christ launched His church with a bang on the Pentecost after His resurrection. As Head of the church, our Savior made sure that the people of Jerusalem - and others down through the ages - realized...
15-Jul-22
Why Adversity? (Part Two)
by Gary MontgomeryIn Part One, we saw that adversities — or as we might more frequently call them, “trials” — strike everyone from time to time. Struggles are a part of every human life, and they are especially prolific for a Christian ...
08-Jul-22
Why Adversity? (Part One)
by Gary MontgomeryHave you ever awakened and felt great to begin your day in a positive mood? Your “hope meter” for enjoying a great day was pegged on “high. You just knew things could not be better! That morning at the supermarket ...
01-Jul-22
Are You Happy? (Part Two)
by Ronny H. GrahamIn Part One, we saw that Americans have so many addictions because people try to find happiness in substances and behaviors that ultimately cannot satisfy them. Conversely, God shows in His Word that ...
24-Jun-22
Are You Happy? (Part One)
by Ronny H. GrahamThe second sentence of the Declaration of Independence reads: We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that ...
17-Jun-22
Why Bother With Fathers?
by Richard T. RitenbaughFor some reason, the Kardashians - the high-powered Los Angeles family that is famous because it is famous - came up at the dinner table not long ago. A mild disagreement ensued over who was the father of which ...
10-Jun-22
Did the Early Church Practice Socialism? (Part Three)
by David C. GrabbeWhile the early converts in and around Jerusalem were obviously and admirably generous, as Acts 2-5 chronicle, we need to consider another financial principle that is just as much a part of God’s Word ...
03-Jun-22
Did the Early Church Practice Socialism? (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeAs Part One closed, we found that the members of the nascent church began to liquidate their assets — lands, homes, goods — under God’s inspiration for two reasons: 1) their conversion had made them reprioritize the ...
27-May-22
Did the Early Church Practice Socialism? (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeAs the United States continues to reject its biblical moorings and founder in its character, a growing number of citizens have begun to favor socialism, in whole or in part. Many believe the government should do more ...
20-May-22
The Blessing of Firstfruits
by John ReissWe are swiftly coming to the fulfillment of Leviticus 23:15 for this year: “And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. ...
13-May-22
All About Attitude
by John ReissPatrick Mabilog begins his January 28, 2016, article in Christian Today, “How to overcome doubt and trust God more” with: “It’s often common amongst people to believe that doubt is healthy and a good way to ...
06-May-22
Will We Endure to the End? (Part Two)
by Pat HigginsProverbs 6:6 instructs us to study the ant, consider its ways, and gain wisdom. In Part One, instead of an ant, we looked to a rat to learn about a necessary element to enduring — remembering. Remembering engenders ...
29-Apr-22
Will We Endure to the End? (Part One)
by Pat HigginsJesus declares in Matthew 24:13, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved. How do we endure while facing life’s problems? How do we ensure that we make it through those unprecedented trials promised ...
22-Apr-22
In Focus or Out?
by Gary MontgomeryWhat do an astronomer, a microbiologist, and a photographer have in common? They each use a lensed instrument to see God’s physical creation in detail. The astronomer employs a telescope to investigate the universe ...
08-Apr-22
Jesus Was a Carpenter
by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen people first meet, among the first questions they ask each other is, “So, what do you do?” meaning, “How do you make a living?” This question comes up so quickly because how a person is employed reveals a great deal about him or her. ...