Don Why is God’s plan of salvation so complicated? Serious Bible students soon realize that the work of studying and understanding the Bible is never ending! There is so much to learn. A study of Hebrews brought me to Melchizedek. One paragraph in Genesis 14 tells us the entire Bible story of Melchizedek. He is … Read more
Hearing and Seeing — But Not Hearing or Seeing? When Jesus spoke to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2-3, he told each one of them, in emphatic repetition, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Why would he repeat that command to each church? They … Read more
Teaching is Hard. Doing is Harder! As a preacher and Bible teacher for many years, I have long since learned that teaching good lessons from The Word is easier than living them. I have known and felt that in my life over and over again. Just today I talked with someone about 1 Thessalonians … Read more
Do you have “ears to hear?” Jesus often called people to pay attention. It is hard to imagine that people did not pay attention to Jesus. He was so very compelling. Yet, as we read the gospels and see people react to Jesus, it is clear that many dismissed him and his teaching. Jesus was … Read more
As Disciples of Christ Let us … What? At least twelve times in the Book of Hebrews, Christians are called to significant spiritual action. Twelve times we find the phrase “let us…” Let us look at the four “let us” statements in Hebrews chapter four. 1. “Let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it…” … Read more
Who is Wise and Understanding? I have often thought that you can identify wise people by listening carefully to what they say. Do they sound smart, so smart I can barely understand them? They always have a quick, certain answer. They just sound wise. The Bible says you identify a wise person by what … Read more
Where does my sin come from? Why do I sin? The answer to this question is bigger than this little article, however, it is helpful to start simply. At least part of God’s answer to the question is stated in James 1:13-15. “Let no man say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by … Read more
Are you having trouble finding God? Are you wondering where you are going? Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Not one person living today knows where he is going, what will happen or what is coming … unless, of … Read more
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James raises a question in chapter 4: Where do all of your troubles come from? While my typical response is to blame everything and everybody around me, James offers the real answer: “Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your … Read more
In my Father’s house … What? Jesus told the twelve apostles, “In my Father’s house are many mansions … I go to prepare a place for you …” (John 14:1-2). The word mansion stands for the Greek word that literally means a staying (place), abode, or dwelling. The English Standard Version says “many rooms.” Heaven is not a place … Read more
