SMYRNA Jesus' second letter was sent to the mister of the Church at Smyrna. It contained no reprimand, only encouragement not to fear, remain faithful and their crown of eternal life was secure (Rev.2: 8-11). The Smyrna Christians are not...
August 2008 Archives
EPHESUS Jesus sent Seven Messages to Seven Churches in Asia Minor. These Messages apply to all the Churches, including ours. The first one was directed at the pastor of the Church at Ephesus (Rev.2: 1-7). It was the most prestigious...
INEVITABILITY Some Christian interpreters regard Old Testament Prophecy as inevitable. The visions of Ezekiel and Daniel are still unfulfilled. Gog and Magog have become Russia and its allies (38-39). Daniel is a bit of a problem because the Evil One...
ANXIETY We are surrounded by fear and uncertainty. I had one of the most difficult weeks in a long time. My mind went through a wringer. The Pension Board informed us that there would be a 5 % cut because...
LAZARUS Lazarus was the friend of Jesus who was raised from the dead (Jn.11: 1-44). To Jesus, he had fallen asleep, to the others he had died (11: 11). The soul or spirit does not die only the body does. ...
BAPTISM Why do people stop coming to church after they have been baptized? It is because they have been misled into believing that baptism is a heavenly magic that secures for them eternal security. In reality, it is only an...
CROSS Paul wrote: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God,” (I Cor.1: 18). Just what is that secret power? In the...
PIETISM Several weeks ago, I was surprised to hear a speaker touch on holiness and sanctification. He did not explain what it entailed. Then, how could he or any of us when we are being influenced by an anti-pietistic religiosity? ...
PRIDE Christians hear regularly that pride is bad and evil. No doubt there is pride that leads to the fall of individuals and nations. However, there is a certain pride that should not be degraded. I am proud of my...
ZACCHAEUS The most important two words in maintaining relationships are: “I/we am/are sorry.” Unfortunately, too many Christians believe that is all that is required of them. It shall benefit us Christians immensely by reading about the restoration of Zacchaeus (Lk.19:...
ESAU Esau means “hairy-red.” He was the elder twin brother to Jacob and son of Isaac and Rebekah (Gen.25). He was a hunter and the dream of his father but not his mother. Rebekah and Jacob swindled Esau out...
SINAI The most important event in the Bible took place on Mount Sinai. On that mountain God the Creator issued the blueprint for His chosen people and the Law to govern themselves by (Ex.19-40). It was also on Mount...
REMEMBER Shall our memory, in eternity, be hunted by guilt and sin? Immediately, we point to Jesus and believe that He took care of our guilt and sin. We are also let to believe that the worst sins shall...
GOD IS SPIRIT Recently, I have been reminded that we live in an age where God is a female, Papa, and so is the Spirit. Jesus is still a male carpenter. God has also become Afro-American and the Spirit...
PROFESSIONALISM Lately, when I visit a church, I read about the staff or the professionals that manage that church. It is not surprising that people gravitate toward Churches that can employ skilled professionals. We have come to trust...
COMMON SENSE It was our last examination in a pastoral class. The question was, “What does a minister need most of all?” All of us wrote lengthy answers, reciting all the possibilities except the one the teacher wanted. Yes,...
WOMEN SUBMIT TO THEIR HUSBANDS. Must women submit to their husbands? That depends on what kind of a husband he is. If he is like Jesus was, then she be foolish not to. The truth is that our English...
