On the surface, one would definitely think that serpents and doves can have no fellowship whatsoever.  However, Jesus used these two creatures to illustrate two character traits that needed to be possessed by His apostles then and are needed by all Christians today. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matt. 10:16a).  As a Christian, do you…

My 9-year-old was told at school that all of the wars, famines and earthquakes were signs that Jesus was about to come back.  So, our study began:  “Get your Bible and let’s look at it.  Read Matthew 24, verse 1.  What did Jesus show them?”  “The temple.” “Read verse 2.  What did Jesus say would be destroyed?”  “The temple.” “Read verse 3. …

The accusation is often made by atheists and evolutionists that believing in God or believing in Creation requires a leap of faith.  However, let’s consider the two sides. Believing in God is based upon substantial evidence.  The precision of the universe and each of the pieces and parts that are so intricately balanced and interrelated demands a Master Creator! The elaborate design…

Picture in your mind a pie chart.  (Or, if you’re particularly hungry, picture your favorite pie.)  This pie is to represent the waking hours during a typical week in your life (do not include your sleep time).  Now, on that pie, mark the slice that represents how much you work in a typical week.  Got it?  How much is left?  Now, mark…

The grand charge—“Praise the Lord!”—is the opening line and closing line of the last five Psalms and is actually found a total of 18 times in those psalms.  Even more, in Psalms 146-150, the word “praise” is found 43 times, which is almost one per verse.  God puts a great emphasis in these closing psalms on praising Him.  What reasons does He…

The prayer of Nehemiah in Nehemiah 9 is such a fascinating look into the relationship between God and His people, His children in Israel.  This, the longest prayer recorded in the Bible, swings back and forth (like a pendulum) between the majesty of God and the rebellion of Israel.  The reader can see that pendulum swing, as at least 16 times these…

They say that elephants have good memories, but they’re not the only ones.  Those who have ever been mistreated or wronged, especially by a friend, have some of the longest memories of any creature alive.  Grudges are easy to pick up and carry, but they are very difficult to lay aside and forget.  However, if we want the blessings of God, we’d…

Have you ever (1) been cleaning out your closet, your garage, your desk, your office or your kid’s room, (2) found something that was once so wonderful, so neat, so gotta-have, so life-changing, so new, so clean, and (3) just tossed it in the big black garbage bag along with the other junk?  What happened?  How and why had this gone from…