Jesus is one “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). He is not one “who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). He accomplished a great feat in that “He endured the cross, despising the shame, …
Continue reading Article: Follow in His FootstepsArticles
In 2013 a man by the name of Odin Lloyd was shot and killed. New England Patriots’ tight end, Aaron Hernandez, was charged with the murder. Wednesday, the jury’s final decision was released. He was found guilty of 1st-degree murder, and various other charges. Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole. A video …
Continue reading Notable News: Sentenced To Life In PrisonThe heart muscle is an amazing design by our God. At only about the size of your two fists, the heart does the most physical work of any muscle during a lifetime. It beats about 100,000 times each day, moving 2,000 gallons of blood throughout the 60,000 mile system of blood vessels in your body. …
Continue reading Article: The Human HeartFollowing Paul’s explanation of the proper attitude toward each other regardless of the type of spiritual gift one attained (cf. 12:12-31), he begins his explanation of the purpose of said gifts (this explanation continues into chapter 14). Love takes precedence over all spiritual gifts, for without love the gifts bring no profit to the one …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13Solomon summarizes his search for happiness in Ecclesiastes. He reached a conclusion that is applicable to all men. However, he searched for happiness in various places before reaching his conclusion. He looked for happiness in: Worldly Pleasure (2:3). Wisdom (1:18). Riches (2:4-11). In all of this he did not find happiness, nor contentment. He summed …
Continue reading Article: Searching For HappinessI recently came across an article that sarcastically praised Joel Osteen for his modern gospel message. The author pointed out many scriptures that differed from Osteen’s preaching. He sarcastically stated that if there were differences, it is the apostles that must be wrong, for their message is not applicable to the times. For that reason, …
Continue reading The Patternists: Violations of the Pattern: The Pattern Can Change“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” – 2 Timothy 3:12 – “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” – 1 Peter 4:16 – Jesus had a task for His twelve disciples. As the incarnate …
Continue reading Article: “We find the defendant guilty of Christianity”“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors” (v. 12). Why are we debtors? The apostle Paul uses the word “Therefore,” not only to link the verses directly previous, but all that he has written thus far. We are debtors because: We have sinned (cf. 3:23). As a result we have died spiritually (cf. 5:12). Therefore, Christ died …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: Romans 8:12-17Unselfish – In order to maintain unity within a local congregation, one must have the mind of Christ. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the …
Continue reading Article: UnityAfter experiencing the vision of the Macedonian plea for help (cf. 16:9-10), Paul – along with the company of Silas, Timothy, and Luke – journeyed to Philippi to preach the gospel. God’s plan to preach the gospel to the Jews led Paul firstly to the synagogue upon entering a city. However, Philippi had no synagogue, …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: Acts 16:11-15