It is remarkable that so many know the “Golden Text” of the Bible. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” It is called the “Golden Text” because many who read John 3:16 see it as summing up the story of the Bible.  Our God is a giver. He gave His son, but He has given us…

Shifting blame is as old as mankind.  When God questioned Adam for his disobedience, the man blamed the woman (Gen. 3:11-12).  When the Lord questioned Eve, the woman blamed the devil—“The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (3:13).  In other words, “The devil made me do it.” Except, the devil didn’t make Eve do anything that she didn’t want to do.  She…

When learning something, new it is always great to have examples. I remember trying to learn algebra. My teacher would go over a few equations on the board to help us get the concepts. About the time I thought I was getting it, she would stop and assign class work. I’d open the book and naturally the examples were nothing like what…

The book of Hebrews often gives great insight into Divine truths within just a few words. Read these words, “Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book…

I once heard of a preacher who was determined to work only 40 hours a week.  So, he calculated how much time he spent in preparing sermons and classes, and how much time he spent in teaching and preaching those lessons.  He subtracted that from 40 hours.  Then, if he got called into a special meeting with the elders, if he got…

There are not many things that disturb me more than passages taken out of context and taught incorrectly (#PHIL4:13, #MATT18:20). Another one of those passages is when Jesus is preaching the sermon on the mount. “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matt. 5:39).…

The ancient practice of an elderly father pronouncing a blessing upon his children is vividly seen when Jacob’s children assembled before him in Genesis 49. He called his sons together to “….tell them what shall befall you in the last days” (verse 1). He revealed what lay ahead for them. The Divine record of Jewish history shows God gave Jacob such insight.…

Ezekiel prophesied to God’s people during a very tumultuous time.  Israel was falling to Babylon (most were already captive in that pagan land), as a consequence of turning away from God and delving into a life of sin.  The prophet was informing the Jews (often in vivid terms) of the reason for their exile and of the future that God had in…