The Crazy in Christmas
by Ronny H. GrahamMany years ago, while talking to an acquaintance, the subject of Christmas came up. I told him up front, “I don’t celebrate Christmas.” He replied ...
18-Dec-15
Deceivers and Antichrists (Part Three)
by David C. GrabbeIn II John 7, the apostle John identifies an antichrist as one who denies that Jesus Christ is presently in His followers. ...
11-Dec-15
Deceivers and Antichrists (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeThe apostle John gives various descriptions of the antichrist spirit that was prevalent at the end of the first century and continues today. ...
04-Dec-15
Deceivers and Antichrists (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeBy the time the apostle John penned his gospel and epistles, he had witnessed the ministry of Jesus Christ, the crucifixion, the resurrected Messiah, and the founding of the church of God. ...
20-Nov-15
Thanksgiving: Honorable Origins
by John O. ReidSome have questioned Christians keeping Thanksgiving because of information on the Internet. ...
13-Nov-15
Remembering Our Veterans
by John ReissVeterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson to commemorate the cessation of hostilities ...
06-Nov-15
Always Check the Context
by Mike FuhrerFor some inexplicable reason, some mainstream Christians—and even some true ones—will read a verse of Scripture and assume that it applies to them personally. ...
30-Oct-15
Snapshots (Part Three)
by David C. GrabbeAs the book of Hebrews ends, the author—likely Paul—pens this benediction: "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ..."
23-Oct-15
Snapshots (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeTime-lapse cinematography—such as a five-minute video clip composed of 100,000 slightly different pictures—is a useful way of understanding how each moment of our lives relates to the overall progression. So even though a present "snapshot" of our lives looks dismal, it cannot reveal what happens next. ...
16-Oct-15
Snapshots (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeSome time back, The Weather Channel website featured the creative works of Shawn Reeder, a man who bills himself as a visual artist. Among Reeder’s specialties is time-lapse cinematography, ...
09-Oct-15
Spirit of Peace
by Gary MontgomeryWe live in a world that is always changing. One day things are chaotic, the next day things seem peaceful. Sometimes people are cordial, saying nice things ...
18-Sep-15
The Price of Atonement
by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Day of Atonement stands out among God's holy days because it is the only one that requires those who observe it to fast. This solemn appointed time, however, means far more than just afflicting our souls! It focuses on the work of the Savior in cleansing His people of their sins and completely removing their iniquities. Richard Ritenbaugh considers the incalculable value of the Sacrifice made for our atonement.
11-Sep-15
Are the Blood Moons Significant? (Part Three)
by David C. GrabbeWhile lunar eclipses are not necessarily rare events, what is unusual is for them to occur on God’s holy days. Understanding those days is key to finding the right significance to these blood moons. ...
04-Sep-15
Are the Blood Moons Significant? (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeLast time, we saw that the verses typically referenced regarding the four lunar eclipses—“blood moons”—are actually describing the Sixth Seal of the book of Revelation (Revelation 6:12-14). ...
28-Aug-15
Are the Blood Moons Significant? (Part One)
by David C. GrabbeDuring the last few years, the blood moons phenomena has taken the evangelical world by storm. It is not difficult to understand why ...
21-Aug-15
Misunderstood Truth
by Mike FuhrerJesus Christ was the most misunderstood man of His time, and not much has changed since. Part of that was intentional. Matthew 13:15 spells out why He spoke in parables: ...
14-Aug-15
Sons of Thunder (Part Two)
by Ronny H. GrahamJesus gave surnames only twice to His disciples. To Simon, He gave the surname “Peter,” which means a “stone,” and to the sons of Zebedee, James and John, He gave the surname, or perhaps nickname, Boanerges, which is translated as “Sons of Thunder.” ...
07-Aug-15
Sons of Thunder (Part One)
by Ronny H. GrahamIn Mark 3:16-19, Jesus calls the disciples that were to follow Him throughout His time on earth. Verses 16-17 contain parallel statements: “Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter...
31-Jul-15
Silence in Heaven (Part Two)
by David C. GrabbeWhat is the connection between the prayers that ascend to God and the angel hurling the censer down to earth, initiating the seven trumpets? Further, what sort of prayers would be a pleasing aroma to God at this juncture? ...
24-Jul-15
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. . . .
17-Jul-15
Are You Biblically Literate?
by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Bible may be the world’s bestselling book that is never read. “Never” may be a bit hyperbolic, but people who study such things tell us that fewer people are reading it and not as often. ...
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! ...
29-May-15
A Swift End
by Richard T. RitenbaughThis world is a horrible place. The planet on which we live along with more than seven billion other human begins is an evil, scary, terrible place. The facts are clear and obvious....
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. ...