Introduction (New Post) Over 30 years ago while serving as an assistant pastor at a medium-sized church I was grappling with Jesus Christ’s admonition to love fellow Christians as found in John 13:34, which states: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also … Continue reading »
Filed under Biblical Perspective …
Being a Daniel in a Nebuchadnezzar Type of World
Introduction This article concerns how to function as a believer among non-believers who are in control of our government and its agencies, our institutions of higher education, the news media, entertainment; and are slowly creeping into the church. This series is meant to be pragmatic, addressing specific characteristics, behaviors, and insights. I’ve going to break from … Continue reading »
Saint – Bondslave (Updated)
Introduction I once had the following three questions posed to me in a class (This is a subject I am revisiting today, and all Believers need to remember periodically) I was taking. What is a “Saint,” what is a (Greek) “doulos,” (translated into the English word: “servant” literally rendered: “bond slave” ~ Romans 1:1; Titus 1:1) and … Continue reading »
Apologetics ~ Part 2 ~ The Trilemma ~ Jesus was Either a Lunatic, a Liar, or Lord
Introduction Part 1 of this series (Apologetics ~ Part 1 ~ External Proofs Regarding Christ’s Existence & Resurrection), dealt with External acknowledgments concerning the existence of Jesus Christ in the form of reference to historians and notable individuals who presented Christ as a historical figure. Next we dealt with an external proof regarding the resurrection, … Continue reading »
God’s Perspective vs. Man’s
Introduction (Major Rewrite) Man is so limited by the sin-nature that even the born-again believer is plagued with a sinful perception, wherein many times reality is beyond his comprehension. We must remember: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than … Continue reading »
A Breakdown of the Lord’s Prayer – The Disciple’s Prayer – Part One
Let’s look at Jesus’ teaching concerning prayer. First we must realize that this is a prayer that is stated prior to Jesus going to sit at the right hand side of the Father. It is His instructions while He was still on the earth, yet the template (Jesus doesn’t say that we have to stay … Continue reading »
Saint – Bondslave
Introduction I once had the following three questions posed to me in a class (This is a subject I am revisiting today, and all Believers need to remember periodically) I was taking. What is a “Saint,” what is a (Greek) “doulos,” (translated into the English word: “servant” literally rendered: “bond slave” ~ Romans 1:1; Titus 1:1) and … Continue reading »
Something to Think About Series ~ 1 – Ray Comfort – Hell’s Best Kept Secret
Introduction I am going to do something different and present an article by someone else without comment. I believe this presentation is something we Christians should think about. bb “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” By Ray Comfort (This message was first preached in August 1982.) You can Listen to ”Hell’s Best Kept Secret” at: LINK In the late seventies, … Continue reading »
The Question of the Ages Regarding the God of Christianity
Introduction The following list of words are used by God to describe the state of man. Jeremiah 17:9 says, concerning the human heart (See Endnote #1), that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” The Hebrew word translated “desperately,” means in the literal “incurable.” With the human heart … Continue reading »
Biblical Anger Management
Introduction Without getting too far in the weeds, as I normally do, let me start by saying that there is a Biblical principle of “begetting“ (to “beget as seen in Gen. 17:20; Gen. 48:6; Deu. 4:25; Deu. 28:41; 2 King. 20:18; Pro. 17:21; Pro. 23:24; Ecc. 5:14; Ecc. 6:3; Isa. 39:7; Isa. 45:10; Jer. 29:6; Eze. 18:10; … Continue reading »
We are like the Things we Worship
Introduction Personally, I love expressions which display wisdom; especially those regarding God and his word, such as: “The Bible: in the old the new is concealed, in the new the old is revealed.” “The Bible: in the old the new is contained, in the new the old is explained.” “An apparent Biblical contradiction is the … Continue reading »
Doing the Right Thing, the Right Way
Introduction In human history (his-story) the most destructive rationale ever used to do mass murder and mayhem is, “the ends will justify the means.” This justification has been used to start more wars, torture more people, and steal more plunder than any other excuse man conjures up. This validation is seen in such verbiage as, … Continue reading »
Liberal Compared to Conservative ~ Narrow is the Way
Introduction No, this post is not what you think it’s about, at least not directly. This is not a political question, nor does it concern politics in regards to partisanship in general, or party affiliation in particular. This has to do with words. Words are the backbone of every society. Words are what we used … Continue reading »
Refusing to Make a Choice, is Still a Choice – and All Choices have Consequences
Introduction The focus of this ministry is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as such we do not address political issues as in political affairs. Rocky’s recent article concerning the “Separation of Church and State,” some might say is political, yet this displays a very generic and broad definition of the word, particularly in regard to how … Continue reading »
Figures of Speech ~ Part 2
Introduction In part one of “Figures of Speech” (LINK), we technically defined what “Figures of Speech” are and provided a few dozen examples of the different categories in regards to Figures of Speech. In part 2, we will give you specific examples of Figures of Speech, however we will start off with a very basic introduction … Continue reading »
Apologetics ~ Part 2 ~ The Trilemma ~ Jesus was Either a Lunatic, a Liar, or Lord
Introduction Part 1 of this series (Apologetics ~ Part 1 ~ External Proofs Regarding Christ’s Existence & Resurrection), dealt with External acknowledgments concerning the existence of Jesus Christ in the form of reference to historians and notable individuals who presented Christ as a historical figure. Next we dealt with an external proof regarding the resurrection, … Continue reading »
Psychology ~ Why has it Gained its Credibility ~ It’s History in a Nutshell ~ When Mixed with Christianity
Introduction I am giving some of my personal background information to exhibit that I am not attacking psychology as an outsider, but as one that has spent many years studying the subject as a proponent, that had turned opponent. At one time, I was totally fixated concerning the observations and study of psychology as a … Continue reading »
The Most Successful Enemy of the Best
Introduction The following is taken from the home page of our teaching website (as well as a page on this blog site), and greatly updated and repeated here because as Believers we all need to stand back every so often and examine our life style, our Christian walk (2 Corth. 13:5). Because of the fast pace of our lives … Continue reading »
Trials & Faith
It is very common to find a mindset within Christian circles that “bad things happen to bad people,” a type of Eastern mysticism which is not supported by the Bible. This type of karma thinking may seem to make sense, while at the same time making us feel safer – because if we are good, then … Continue reading »
Faith & Trials
Simply put, faith in God is cognitive belief based upon a track record of fidelity (trustworthiness), which creates confidence in God, what He has said, He can and will do, and as such it grows into a principle of life for the believer wherein God is trusted to take care of the person; this produces action … Continue reading »
How to Deal with False-believers
Introduction The other day I received a comment from an individual who attempted to present evidence that the Holy Spirit was validating what they were saying, and what their cult, Mormonism preached (see the comments section concerning the article: “Meek ~ The Great Example” – Link), when I clicked on their website, their profile stated (verbatim): by brandonlott … Continue reading »
Think ~ Act ~ Feel
Human Nature, (As falsely taught by the world as “Natural” – Evolution): Feel-Act. (Updated) The world says: “We act in response to how we feel,” “If it feels good, do it.” The world is obsessed with emotional feelings at the expense of rational discretion. It is the emotions that the media, entertainment, and politics utilize to move … Continue reading »
God’s Perspective vs. Man’s
Introduction (Major Rewrite) Man is so limited by the sin-nature that even the born-again believer is plagued with a sinful perception, wherein many times reality is beyond his comprehension. We must remember: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than … Continue reading »
How to Be Saved
Introduction There might be two types of people that would pose this question. The unbeliever with whom the Holy Spirit is convicting unto salvation; and the immature believer who questions if they’re truly saved. Both individuals should seek the answer to this question from God’s Word, through the guidance of a mature believer – hopefully this … Continue reading »
“Many Shall Run To and Fro”
Introduction We shall take a brief look at just one of the passages in the unbelievable revelation from God, referred to as the book of Daniel. Chapter 12 of the book of Daniel is a vision that he receives concerning the last days. The “Last Days” is a generic term which covers over 2000 years, from … Continue reading »
Who is Your god/God, and Where Does He Live?
Universal Truth Every man has a god. Many might try to argue the point and assert that they don’t believe in the notion of a higher power. They may assert that God is a man-made myth and an indication of weak character, low intelligence, or sick emotions. Many of them believe in evolution, claiming that … Continue reading »
A Gun, a Dog, Burnt Hands, and the Cross; and How they’re All Connected.
This is dedicated to Nonni, as I promised that I would write a ”real” blog. Reissued What an unusual title for a post, you might be thinking; and you would be absolutely correct. Let us see if I can make sense of this enigma in the form of a title. Prelude I am a second amendment advocate. No, I not only believe … Continue reading »
The Decline of a Democracy
When the thirteen colonies were still a part of England, while our country was seeking its independence; Professor Alexander Tyler wrote about the fall of the Athenian Republic over two thousand years previous to that time, he said: A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters … Continue reading »
False Leaders ~ Believing They’re Saved, Then Finding out They’re Not
A Terrifying Thought A subject that I have considered many times in the past is that of the perception of false believers that they are saved, when in deed they are not. I mean can anything be more terrifying than to reach the end of one’s life having believed that you have avoided hell as … Continue reading »
Legalism ~ PRIDE
How it Works In examining legalism in the Bible we do not find the word “legalism”1 used per se, but we see a good example of it in the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.2 They were a prime example of legalism in action. In the Pharisees’3 particular way of life, who they were determined what they … Continue reading »
The Enemy & His Weapons
Introduction – The Enemy The devil is a high angelic creature that before the creation of the human race; rebelled against the Creator and became the chief antagonist of God and man. We know this from passages in Isaiah, chapter 14 and Ezekiel, chapter 28. Many liberal theologians, to a large extent have refused to … Continue reading »
Trials – Part 1 ~ Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
To start with, concerning Paul’s thorn in the flesh, our key text is 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, which says: “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether … Continue reading »
Trials – Part 2 ~ The Reasons for Trials in the Life of Believers
Trials In the Life of Believers Faith only grows when it is stretched by tribulations (problems, hard times, difficulties, calamities, trials, and testing; they’re all synonymous concerning the “trying of our faith”). Faith can only grow incrementally, as more and more is demanded of it. This is because trust is a process contingent upon experience, as someone proves they are trustworthy situation after situation, we … Continue reading »
Daily Picking up Your Cross
Introduction In the last 37 years of being a Christian, I have heard many descriptions of what being a Christian is - sometimes from personal opinions, sometimes from Biblical references. What I want to briefly speak about is not what a Christian is, but what a Christian does. Key Text Luke 9:23: “And He said to them all, … Continue reading »
A Culture of Spectators ~ Something to Think About
There are a few expressions that I would like to repeat: “Christianity began as a company of lay witnesses, that has became a professional troop of performers, financed by lay spectators.” (author unknown) “Christian idolatry can be seen when believers: worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.” (author unknown) “Christianity … Continue reading »
Twilight Zone – Episode 1 – “The Grand Simulation”
This post is subjective than most, yet I hope it serves its purpose concerning the subject of perception and reality. Introduction As a Christian that is fast approaching his fourth decade as a believer, it is the human desire to stay within my own area of comfort that shackles me as a believer concerning the … Continue reading »
A Gun, a Dog, Burnt Hands, and the Cross; and How they’re All Connected.
This is dedicated to Nonni, as I promised that I would write a ”real” blog. What an unusual title for a post, you might be thinking; and you would be absolutely correct. Let us see if I can make sense of this enigma in the form of a title. Teaching Style My teaching style is somewhat unusual, and has been stated … Continue reading »
God, Where Are You? ~ My Salvation Story
Normally, I write Biblically technical messages concerning God’s Word. Some are essays that I’ve written in the past, some are written in the present, yet all have taken many hours to compose, or recompose to be fit within this blog. These are not off the top of my head; per se they involve research work … Continue reading »
Is the Church Following the Culture
In what ways is the church lagging behind our culture? Let me first say that I can only answer this question concerning the culture of United States in general, and the Western and South-central states in particular. Though, via TV and Internet I believe the same opinion holds true for other parts of the world. … Continue reading »
Critically Thinking ~ The Superiority Of God’s Truth Over Man’s Opinions
Brent Writes: I did not write the following article, it is so good I would only muddy the waters concerning this issue. It was written by Charles Pogue in June of 1996, and published in the “Montana Street Bulletin.” The article‘s content is much needed in the church today, because it stresses our need to … Continue reading »
The Decline of a Democracy
History When the thirteen colonies were still a part of England, Professor Alexander Tyler wrote about the fall of the Athenian Republic over two thousand years previous to that time, he said: A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves … Continue reading »
