Posts from September 2023
The Dying Leaf
As autumn approaches, we welcome the cooler temperatures and the changing of the seasons. We remember the promise of God to Noah, “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22) Along with the change in the weather comes the beautiful splendor of fall colors. We enjoy the reds, oranges, yellows, and all hues in between as the Lord’s nature gets ready for the coming winter. However,…
A good example says more about us than what we say.
The apostle Paul wrote to two young preachers. Both were encouraged to set good examples. Timothy was admonished: “Let no man despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Titus was challenged: “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may…
God has Already Spoken to Us!
Heard From God Lately? According to a survey, 25% of Americans believe that they have received personal messages from God. This statistic raises several questions: What is God saying to all of these people anyway? The Bible says that it contains “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1: 3). What more do they need to know? Why is additional revelation necessary? Why does God show such special favoritism to this select group? Does He love this…
Heaven-Bound
“An overwhelming majority of Americans continue to believe there is life after death and that heaven and hell exist, according to a new study. What’s more, most think they are heavenbound.” So begins a recent article in the Nashville Tennessean. What is heaven? Where is it that so many people believe they are bound? “46% described it as a ‘state of eternal existence in God’s presence,’ and… 30% said heaven is ‘an actual place of rest and reward where souls…
Our Past, Present and Future
In school you learned about the three main verb tenses in English: past, present and future. These tenses describe three very different timeframes. One could say that a boy “threw” the ball (past tense), or a boy “is throwing” the ball (present tense) or a boy “will throw” the ball (future tense). Those same tenses can be used to describe a Christian’s life. The New Testament talks definitively about a Christian’s PAST life, with a great emphasis on leaving it…