We don’t have to be thrown into prison to be able to praise the Lord! From Crosswalk.com………………
This is an interesting and encouraging article! (Hint: Cleopas was one of the two disciples who Jesus met on the road to Emmaus). From Crosswalk.com…………….
A very nice listing for Bible verses to use for your emails, Instagram posts, Christmas cards and various kinds of Christmas greetings. From Christian Crier………………..
The reason that there are so many self-help books, and that every year we make New Year resolutions is because when we look at ourselves, we know that there are things that are broken and much room for improvement. And while God sees those same things, and sees much more, and with a much different viewpoint! From pastor and author Scott Sauls…………………….
The title of this article pretty much says it all: If we don’t properly know and understand the Bible, then how can we properly know and understand God’s will for us in our daily lives? This article provides a brief overview of the three principles of biblical interpretation — context, history, and genre. From Stand to Reason……………..
https://www.str.org/w/you-can-t-obey-god-unless-you-know-what-he-said
I really like this article, and I think you will, too! From Cranach…………………..
Another article in an ongoing series on the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes. In this sampling, the author focuses on the lessons of the importance of community, taken from Chapter 4 of Ecclesiastes. From Jared Ingle……………….
This article is pretty interesting, because it shows that the Bible itself teaches that some parts of Scripture are hard, but that is a good thing! From FTC…….
https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/three-good-things-about-difficult-bible-passages/
The Book of Revelation is a notoriously difficult book, and it has about as many schools of interpretations as it has chapters! But this article provides some valid arguments to one possible way to understand the seven spirits that John talks about in Revelation. From The Gospel Coalition………………….
This is a beautifully sensitive and scriptural article, that will speak to a number of readers. If not for some pain they are presently experiencing, then for some future affliction. From Things Above Us……………….
People can get so hot and bothered about the end times, but really, there is a lot of agreement in church history over the really important aspects of the end times. And especially of this most important point — Jesus wins! From Logos.com blog…………………….
Randy Alcorn focuses in this article on the fact that Jesus is the most important person who has ever lived, but he is also the most misunderstood person who has ever lived. If we misunderstand Jesus, then we miss God and heaven! From Eternal Perspectives Ministries…………………….
https://www.epm.org/blog/2020/Dec/7/theres-no-greater-question-who-jesus-really
What this article is getting at is that if you are reading the Bible only as a chore to mark off of your “to-do” list, then you might as well not read it at all. We need to be engaged with God’s Word intellectually, spiritually and emotionally. From Crossway.org…………………
https://www.crossway.org/articles/how-to-engage-emotionally-with-the-bible/
This simple strategy comes from the Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Thessalonians. I think this will help! From Unlocking the Bible…………………
When it comes to helpful resources on the topic of depression, I find nothing to be as helpful as those written by those who have actually experienced depression firsthand. This brief article is one such resource. From The Gospel Coalition………………….
Pastor and author Randy Alcorn provides yet another reason to be excited about our lives after our time on Earth is through. From Eternal Perspectives Ministries……………………
“The implications of past disappointments can loom heavily over the present, and the possibility of future disappointments sits as a constant threat on the horizon. Yet along with every disappointment come promises from God that are strong enough to steady us, comfort us, and lift our eyes to him.” From DesiringGod.org………………….
This article deals with a very important issue: Will we not only accept the provision we receive from the Lord’s hand, but will we receive it with gratitude and thankfullness? From The Navigators………….
Another in an occasional series of articles on the Book of Ecclesiastes. In this one, we are now in Chapter 4, and the focus is on work, and the Preacher/Teacher claims how valuable work is for our lives. From Jared Ingle…………………
This is another in an occasional series of articles on God’s attributes. this time, it is on one of God’s communicable attributes — or one of His attributes that He shares partly with humans. In this case, it is His righteousness, which we share through Christ. From Place for Truth………………..
Be honest now, you have probably talked to God a time or two about how messed your church is, and why doesn’t He fix this or that? Right? Maybe instead we should express thanks to the Lord for our messed-up church and for the opportunities to grow spiritually all around us there! From Core Christianity……………..
We may all be familiar with the Apostle James’ admonition to “count it all joy” when we face trials, but how many of us also then ask the question, “How?” This article does a pretty good job of providing at least one possible answer. From Ligonier.org………………..
Here is a nice article that calls us to remember that even John the Baptist had his moments of doubt and needed reassurance from Jesus that he was on the right path for his life. From pastor Craig Thompson……………….
This article looks at the first Epistle from Peter, where he reminds his readers that God has made certain promises to His children, and so they can be certain that they have everything they need for both life and for godliness. From Crossway.org………………………..
Just as a flag waving in the distance on the battlefield could be a rallying point and a source of encouragement and even bravery, so is our God! From author Ann Spangler………………
Yahweh Nissi — The Lord My Banner
Here is another in a continuing series of articles from pastor and scholar Rick Renner, as he digs deeper into the Greek words in the New Testament to draw out more meaning from familiar passages. This time, he is covering Hebrews 3:9…………………..
Sometimes when we reach a certain age, we may prefer to look back foundly, rather than to look ahead with expectation. But the Bible would encourage us to strive to maintain an attitude of hope always. From Core Christianity……………………
When I was young growing up in the South, you might hear a person described as being a “God-fearing” man or woman. But what is a God-fearing person? This article addresses that question. From Christianity.com……………………
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-god-fearing-christian.html
Theologically speaking, God’s attributes can be divided into two categories — incommunicable, meaning that they only belong to God; and communicable, meaning attributes that He shares with humans. In this brief article, it covers the communicable attribute of kindness. But remember: God is NOT kind like we are, people are kind like GOD IS. He is the definition of kindness! From Place for Truth……….
To forgive is a Christian virtue, but it is especially hard to do that when the one who has wronged us either is unable or unwilling to ask for our forgiveness. What then? This article provides some answers to how to handle such situations in our lives. From Eternal Perspectives Ministries…………………..
A new article in a series on the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes from pastor and biblical counselor Jared Ingle. Here, he is in the last few verses of Chapter 3 and first few verses of Chapter 4, where the Preacher is examining those in authority, and how they often abuse their power over the weak and powerless. But a day of judgement is coming for all………………..
A long title for this article. What it is referring to is the scriptural teaching that every believer will have their lives for Christ reviewed for rewards (not for entrance into heaven — that is already and always assured!). Here, author and pastor Randy Alcorn makes the case that God looks kindly on how pursuits of hobbies and leisure activities as signs of our enjoying our salvation in God. From Eternal Perspectives Ministries………………..
When Jesus turned the water into wine at the marriage in Cana in John 2, the apostle says that this was the first sign of divinity of Jesus. This article does an admirable job in parsing out the significance behind this particular miracle, and what it symbolized about the life and ministry of Christ. From Crosswalk.com…………………
When we truly understand the gospel message of grace, it should give us great comfort and security. This is because God, through Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, gives us the faith we need to live a godly life. God knows our frame and that we are but dust. Whatever God calls us to do, He also enables us to do! From Crossway.org……………….
One of the purposes of my blogs is to point people to helpful blogs, websites and Christian resources that they might not be aware of. This article is drawn from one of those resources, The Theology of Work Project. They have an online Bible commentary that helps believers apply the Scriptures to the workplace, and this particular article looks at the topic of how to relate with non-believers, using II Cor. 6: 14-18 as the launching point……………………
Categories
Don’t Follow Your Heart
The title of this article illustrates the upside-down aspect of true Christianity, compared to the ways of the world. Everything in society and social media these days tells us to “follow our hearts” to find true happiness and fulfillment, but the Bible teaches just the opposite! From The Gospel Coalition………………..
Love reveals the meaning of life
We have never known a person genuinely devoted to serving God and others from an agape-centered worldview to have a problem discerning the “meaning of life.” To love God with divine love is to be constantly seeking to do, and be involved in, what is good, to and for God, which is also to be simultaneously committed to the good of our “neighbors.” This is why each of the Ten Commandments conveys key relational dynamics that provide common benefits to the individual as well as the community. This becomes more obvious when Jesus teaches that the internalization of these laws or ways sets us free to live life at its fullest (Matt. 5–7). This comes when the ways of God are written, or imprinted, on the heart, the motivational centerpiece of human life.
From The Divine Conspiracy Continued: Fulfilling God’s Kingdom on Earth. Copyright © 2014 by Dallas Willard amd Gary Black Jr. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Some good insights here. For instance, the word “alert” here is the kind of alertness that is a continual and perpetual alertness. From Crosswalk.com…………….
This article wades a little deeper into Psalm 90, to show us some important points for us to take to heart: our lives are short; God is eternal; so, it is best for us to seek God’s favor now, and to enjoy Him forever after our short lives are over. From Knowable Word………………
The title for this article alone drew me in, because it certainly seems these days that peace and unity are really hard to come right now. In fact, I am a fan of the Denver Broncos, and I had to endure through a summer of arguments between the fans who were split between the two different quarterbacks who were vying for the job as the starter! We need help, folks! From Core Christianity………………….
Another very nice overview of a biblical book that Knowable Word is known for. This time it is for Mark’s Gospel………………..
I live in Colorado, so needless to say, I love mountains. And I believe God does too because He certainly likes to hang out around them! Here are some insights about mountains in the Bible from Crosswalk.com………………
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/why-are-mountains-so-important-in-the-bible.html
The answer to this question is this article might surprise you. Jesus didn’t get most angry with His disciples and their lack of faith. Neither did He get most angry with people suffering illness due to lifestyles of sin and neglect of God. No, Jesus got most angry at those who tried to impede those who most needed God from gaining direct access to Him through Christ! From FaithGateway.com………………
Spoiler alert: We can trust the Bible because Jesus trusted the Old Testament. God superintended and protected the Old Testament for almost 1500 years up to the time of Jesus, and He has protected the New Testament for the last 2000 years in the same way! From Knowable Word………………
Many people, including even many believers, want to make the Book of Revelation a book about the wrath and judgment of God. While God’s judgment is an aspect of that book, as this article illustrates, it is merely a facet of the love of God for His people. From Determine Truth………………….
Have you ever tried to have a meaningful conversation with a person who would not shut up for 5 minutes? Well, God would like to speak with us more often, but sometimes we need to be more quiet. This article discusses that more in depth. From BibleStudyTools.com………………….
https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/how-to-meet-god-through-silence-and-solitude.html
Categories
Friends Along the Path
This article reminds us that when we walk the path of righteousness with Christ, we will always have enemies trying to get us off that path. But we also have four friends who will help us to stay on that path. From A Place for Truth…………
HOW TO READ GENESIS 1–3
Here is a very worthwhile article from a very wise and conservative biblical scholar, Vern Poythress. Enjoy! From Desiring God………………………..
Like Bob Dylan once said, “You gotta serve somebody.” It is a good thing to belong to Christ rather than the Devil. An encouraging article from Sam Storms……………
https://www.samstorms.org/enjoying-god-blog/post/-you-are-not-your-own—living-as-slaves-of-christ-
Another in a recent series of articles on the Book of Ecclesiastes from biblical counselor and minister Jared Ingle. This time, he digs into the Preacher’s summation of the best things in life…………..
paint-and-pen.com 