Salem Wesleyan Methodist Church (Salem, Ohio): Recent Episodes
Stanley Grabill
God's gifts to us are not only good, but they are perfect because God has always dealt in perfection.
We need to have fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus...and to allow nothing to prevent it.
We have a tunnel vision of world view, but it is good to talk about other world views just to see where they're coming from, as well as being able to reach out to those who have a different world view.
Christ wants us to spend eternity with Him. We must be ready to meet Him when He calls.
We are coming down to the last part of the story of Ruth. The genealogy line in this story gives much interesting history.
The Lord wants to govern every part of our lives, if only we will allow Him to come under our roof.
Things are coming to a close in our lesson involving Ruth and Boaz. God worked out His plan for Boaz and Ruth to be married and blessed them with a son!
Our story is coming to the point where Boaz asks the closest kinsmen to Naomi if he will redeem Ruth. Boaz is next in line if he refuses.
Boaz knows he wants to marry Ruth, but he is not the closest kinsmen to Naomi. He must follow the rules of the land, not knowing how it will turn out.
Continuing the story of Ruth, we find that there may be some potential complications in the engagement period...but God has all things under control.
Ruth is led of Naomi to meet Boaz in the night. As the story unfolds, the Lord is showing His love and grace in each life.
Continuing with the story of Ruth, we find that Naomi is working her matchmaking skills in the lives of Boaz and Ruth.
We can have a close relationship with God as our Father, if only we will choose to do so.
Being a father is a big responsibility and God can help each father to be a spiritual leader in the home.
Looking further into the story of Ruth, we find that Boaz kindly gives Ruth the grain from his field. God leads and provides all along.
Anyone can come to Jesus, no matter who you are or what you've done. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.
As we go further into the story of Ruth, we notice how God is working in every detail of her life...right down to gathering grain in the field of Boaz.
Finishing up with Monsters in the Bible, we learn that there are more creatures mentioned in the Bible that you may or may not have heard of.
When we have a positive outlook on life, we are able to walk through difficulties knowing Jesus is there with us the whole way.
God is working behind the scenes on your behalf and His time table is absolutely perfect.
No matter where we are life, we are pleasing to God by being loyal to Him and to our neighbor.
If we were to look, we would find that we are surrounded by a multitude of blessings from God.
Make Christ the cornerstone of your life and He will bless you beyond all you can imagine.
God created animals that were strong and big. No one dared to go up against these animals...the same is with God. He is much more powerful than His creation.
God knows exactly what we need every single day, and He will supply our needs. That's a promise!
We manage the things that God has given to us here on earth. We do not own a thing, but God provides things for His honor and glory.
In our new series, we are talking about "Monsters in the Bible". Today we discussed the variety of giants in the Bible...possibly many have not ever heard of.
To be followers of Christ we must be teachable. We cannot pretend to know what it takes to be a Christian without allowing God to teach us.
When we humble ourselves before God, that is when true healing of our hearts can begin.
Jesus is the only One who can give us a pure heart and a pure mind. We can resist temptation if we give our thoughts, actions, our whole selves to Him.
If we return to the Lord and draw close to Him, He will direct our paths and our lives.
Nothing gets outside of the sovereign will of God. He is in full control of everything.
Jesus wants to have fellowship with His creation. We can walk hand in hand with Him, have fellowship and be cleansed from all sin.
When we go through trials and temptations, we can have confidence that Jesus is praying and interceding for us.
As Christians, we have many ways to practice self control, both in our everyday life and our spiritual life.
It is not our place to judge people for their evil deeds, but to leave them in God's hands. He will reward according his works.
When you feel alone, when you don’t think you can go on, when your world is turned upside down, Jesus is enough.
There is a time when we must reckon with the presence of God and decide on which side we will live.
Paul knows his days are coming to an end and is letting us know that we can also receive a crown of righteousness if we fight the good fight of faith.
We go about life making plans, but how are we living life? Are we living with a short-sighted view, or are we keeping the big picture of life in mind?
The world is full of problems and needs, yet our foremost need is that we need a savior.
Humanity is in the business of choosing gods to worship. What should we look for in a savior?
It is good for us to remember Biblical principles and keep them with us throughout our lives.
While we are involved in the process of being born again, there is much more than us seeking after God. He is seeking after us and drawing us to Himself.
During one of his journeys, Jesus went on purpose through Samaria to meet one in need. Even still today God walks your way with the purpose of putting together your broken pieces.
On one extreme we find the serious nature of sin and its results, while on the other, we find the immense love of God and its impact. These two extremes meet at the cross.
Paul lived in such a way that was pleasing to God. We ought to learn from his Christian example.
Knowing God makes life come alive and there are some practical things we can do to know God better.
Having new life in Christ means everything is changed! We are no longer living for ourselves, but for our Creator.
We ought to be wise when it comes to those who portray Christian living, but they are really deceiving people.
It is faith that begins our spiritual journey, yet once we have begun, it is faith that is our lifeline every step of the way.
If we stand together for truth and Christ's love, we can help others to see true unity.
As we face hard things in life it does us good to remember that praise raises us up and allows us see things with a clearer vision.
We have various needs in different stages of life but the Christian can rest in knowing that God has provisions for our needs.
As Christians, it is good to know we have everything available to us in order to be victorious over the forces of darkness.
There is a way of life that seems right and is easy, but it is a way of deception and destruction resulting in death.
When one truly repents of their sins, Jesus will come into their life and they can say they are saved.
Reading the Scriptures will help us to purge ourselves from false teachers and things we should not be involved in.
Good works will not get us to Heaven, but when we do good works, the light of serving Jesus shines forth to those around us.
On judgment day, God will honor or dishonor those who are teaching what is right and those who are not.
We are taught in 2 Timothy to avoid vain babbling, or pointless chatter, as it leads to ungodliness.
Knowing that the Christian is surrounded by pressures of this world, there is no doubt that persecution is involved...so we must continue to stand strong for our faith.
One can know that he is justified and forgiven from his sins if he will only receive God's goodness and grace.
A Christian can rest in the justice of God, as judge of all the earth, he will do right.
Paul suffered for preaching the Gospel. What are willing to go through for the cause of Christ?
There is a lot of uncertainty in our world, but one thing is for sure...Christ and the church are alive and well.
There are times between spiritual battles where we need to grow...but we must never leave our battle post.
It truly matters the kind of friends you have on your Christian walk. We learn about several of Paul's friends in this lesson.
A Christian who has not committed wholly to following Christ leaves a door open to go back into their former life, but we can live without the divided loyalties.
The Holy Spirit guides in all truth, and today we have the Scriptures to guide us as well.
We have so much for which to be grateful as we are the beneficiaries of benefits from our heavenly benefactor.
Between Palm Sunday and Easter morning a question was asked that still echos today; what will we do with Christ?
When Jesus entered the city on Palm Sunday there where shouts of jubilations...the throng welcomed a king. He was a king not looking for a national throne but one in the heart of man.
Salvation involves a change in allegiance from what would benefit ourself to an allegiance to Christ.
We receive many invitations, some of which we excuse ourselves from, but there is one invitation that we dare not excuse ourselves from.
There are some physical things in life which are needful, but life is so much more than these.
If we are determined to make Heaven, we must forget the past and press forward to the prize.
In Paul’s writing to Timothy we get a glimpse into his heritage as well as why he was encouraged to stir up the gift of God.
In the first chapter of 2 Timothy we find Paul is sending a word of greeting to Timothy, giving thanks to God.
The new beginning God offers us has nothing to do with our past and is not hindered by our present circumstances, but has everything to do with who God is.
It is written through the Bible that God is our Father, and He is there for us all the time.
Just like the burning bush was the fire that Moses needed in His life, we need God's presence in our daily lives.
In the midst of dark times it is good to remember that we stand on a rock that isn’t shaken.
God was going to destroy the wicked world, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. God gave Noah a building plan to save people from the flood.
A man came to Jesus and asked a question we all would do well to ponder; what must we do to gain eternal life?
There is good news for the one who has any spiritual thirst; we have a Savior who satisfies, no matter what the need.
Many tend to go about life’s routines with little thought of the coming judgment. These are living in a fog of consciousness, but there is a better way to live, being ready for the coming of Christ.
Joshua Swamidass and William Lane Craig have considered the historical Adam. Do their considering Adam and Eve bridge the gap between scripture and science?
Although we may experience God’s love, we will never be able to grasp it intellectually. It penetrates the darkness extending to the extremes of humanity, paying attention to detail. It is a high quality love that is found at the end of our determination, persistent in its pursuit of us and has been deposited into humanity.
Charles Darwin was born on February 12. Who was this man, what influenced his thinking and worldview?
God is the one who spun the universe into existence, yet He is near at hand being moved by our grief and infirmities. He knows just where we are and what we need, caring about our brokenness and has power to restore us.
The law of God’s Word causes us to know just how terrible our sin is. Yet, on the other extreme, is God’s grace that reaches out no matter how far you may have gone.
How old is the Earth? Answering this question, looking at both scriptures and science, we find it’s younger than one might imagine.
In a culture which is so focused on one’s self, the Christian has a respect for his fellow man which refuses to take what is rightly his.
We all have been marred and broken by sin. When we take the broken pieces to God, He can put us together in such a way that His love shines through.
When one sees a watch it is only natural to assume that at some point there was a watch maker who made it. How can one think anything different when looking at the world around us?
Temptation is common among us as humans. There is not a one who hasn’t faced it and given in at some point, yet if we will endure and persever in the face of temptation, there are blessings to be found.
We don’t don’t like uncertainties in life and do almost anything to avoid them, yet for the Christian there is always certainty in the Rock of our salvation.
Although we may live in a sex saturated society, the sanctity of marriage calls for purity in our relationship with others.
The last few verses of 2 Peter 3 summarize the whole book of 2 Peter as well as Peter talking about Paul.
God's plan for a family is far different than what the world's plan is. Let's hold on to Biblical principles.
The Lord is waiting to come back possibly because He wants more people to get right with Him. The day will come when the whole universe will be burned up.
God can give us such a desire to serve Him that nothing will stop us from finishing our earthly race.
Peter responds to skeptics who deny the coming judgment and who forget about Creation and the Flood.
We would do well to seek the One who is the source rather than the supply we receive at His hand!
God could have left us to our own devices, but the good news of Christmas is that God sent His son to save the world.
Jesus was perfect because He was God, but He was also human. Does this mean he made mistakes?
There is a God who is bigger than natural science, and that's why we can believe the miracle of the virgin birth was possible.
Jesus came at Christmas as a baby and will be coming back as a judge. May we open our hearts and let Him come as our Savior.
Peter is trying to help the people to not go back to their old ways, but to stay true to God!
Though Paul's testimony was rejected by the people, it was not a failure in God's sight.
To many, Thanksgiving is about the feast, but ultimately, it is simply about giving thanks for all of our blessings.
Peter describes false teachers and their motives. We do well to be on guard and to continue growing in grace to not fall prey to them.
God is the source of life, hope and blessing. We must be diligent that we do not allow a misplaced worship amidst our blessings.
It is good for us to pay attention to what we are paying attention to as it reveals what is in the heart and determines our eternal destiny.
Both Noah and Lot were men who were spared from the destruction around them but they had some big differences.
It does us good to remember what Jesus did for us, giving us daily strength and bringing in a remedy to our impossible circumstances.
Scripture gives a clear call to the followers of Christ to be faithful. No matter the circumstances or hardships we may face, let us be faithful.
When life began it was good, but then sin entered and marred it, bringing death. God sent a Redeemer who would reintroduce and infuse humanity with life eternal if they would have it.
We may see great things happen in life, but despite the setting, the glory belongs to God.
In chapter 2, Peter talks about false teachers as well as those whom God spared from judgment.
On a day when so many revel in evil and death, it is good to consider life. Though at times it may be fleeting and frail, yet with God it can flourish.
The central claim of the Church from its beginning has been that Jesus is Savior and Lord.
Peter had a message he wanted to be persevered and passed down to future generations. What spiritual legacy are we passing on?
Just as a couple has a keen interest in what is attractive to their date, if we want to keep a friendship which Jesus, we too ought to take notice of what catches his eye.
God doesn’t see as man, for we look on the outward, but God sees the heart. We know what humanly is attractive and catches our eye, but what is it that God finds beautiful?
The vitality of our spiritual life is dependent upon our continued relationship with Jesus.
In his second book, Peter is wanting people to be stirred and remember the truth that they have learned until Peter is gone!
As Christians, we must hold fast to our crown. Let us not lose it due to spiritual neglect.
God uses sorrow to break up the soul of our heart that we might experience repentance and expansion having a divine revelation. Are we allowing sorrow to do for us what God wants?
In his second letter Peter admonished that in addition to the promises given we add several things to our faith.
The only way for us to save our life is to step back and leave the steering wheel in the hand of God. As we catch a vision of His plan, this is more easily done.
It is possible to live a life of obedience to God's Word that goes beyond mere form and ritual, one that reaches the heart.
What response do we have to those who doubt the reliability and authorship of the scriptures?
God’s righteous character stands in stark contrast to man’s wickedness bearing solemn testimony against it.
Paul indicated that Christ was the author of his life and the one who sustained it, the internal law guiding him, the product and influence of his living, and ultimately the crown of his life. Can we say the same?
The scriptures are the basis for the Christian life, and it’s validity has been supported time and again by archeology.
Many people will argue that the Bible is immoral, but when studying the Scriptures, is is evident that the Bible is not immoral...and those who believe that way will find out soon enough that they are wrong.
There are many things in our lives which use filters. We use them to keep out the bad and protect the good. We need filters in a spiritual sense in our lives.
As we live for Christ it is expected that we will face resistance and opposition; yet through it all we have the assurance that God will be there with us.
The only one who knows the future is God. This is seen through His many prophetic words which years later came to pass.
The Christian may face dark days but the future will be an inheritance of the blessing of Heaven for eternity.
The Christian shows evidence of his relationship with God and witnesses to others in everyday actions.
We will face difficult places in life, but if we are determined to love God, we can be still and know His compassion and friendship, that He is not mere man and see his goodness and sovereignty.
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is a core tenet of the Christian faith and there are some aspects of this that even skeptics acknowledge.
Skeptics, both atheist and Muslim, question whether Jesus ever claimed to be God. While He never said, “I am God, second person of the Trinity, worship me,” he did and said many things which were clearly claims to divinity.
Jesus gave His all for us, so we ought to give our best in response to Him. Taking communion is a time for us to reflect what we can give back to God.
The Holy Spirit was sent to convict us...to prevent us from a deadly condition that would end in eternal death.
In the life of a believer, the inerrancy of scripture is a core value that is not only accepted intellectually but also lived out.
Jesus has told believers to not go back to their old ways, giving an example of setting the mind steadfastly and giving the gift of the Spirit to help us.
The Christian life is a life of victory and overcoming by faith...not in our own strength, but in God.
When one becomes a Christian, there is an identification that takes place indicating the old life is over and a new one begun. One way that can be done is through baptism.
Baptism is a sign of an inward working in our heart as well as a confession of faith marking us a disciple of Christ and it is a biblical practice.
In making a defense for the faith showing the reliability of the Scriptures is important.
In the life of a Christian, love is paramount; love toward God and love toward our fellow man.
Jesus spoke of two groups of people who take two different ways going through two different gates leading to two destinations. It does us good to stop and think about in which one we find ourselves.
In following God sometimes one comes to difficult places. In these places we should remember that in seeking God we must deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow God.
The 1800's were a time of questioning the authorship of many works-those of Homer, Moses, the Apostles, and Shakespeare. We looked at the JEDP challenge to Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch and considered internal evidence of the early writing of the Gospels by eyewitnesses.
An uncompromising commitment to the truth may lead to difficult places, but through it we will find benefits of spiritual gain, grace, be pleasing to God and a blessing to others on our way to our eternal reward.
There is a deep yearning in the souls that cries out for freedom. Jesus and His cross is the true answer of that cry and through Him we can have an abundant life free from sin.
As a country we have grown confident in our situation all the while we have crumbled morally. God is our only hope; we as a nation need to repent and turn to God.
When one comes to Christ he is made a new creation, one that isn’t compatible with sin.
The question echoes down through time, "What must I do to be saved?". The Bible makes clear the answer is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
The philosophy of post-modernism has become quite pervasive. What is it and what is our response?
While He was on earth and now through the Scriptures, Jesus show us God, the heavenly Father.
Part of the joy of the Christian experience requires trust on our part; trusting in God's love, goodness, power, and that He is a living and present father.
The focus of the Christian life is to love God completely and to do whatever He wants of you.
There was a time in Israel in which there was not a king ruling over the nation and everyone did what they thought was best. However this led to many problems even in the best families of the nation.
As Christians our goal is to make it to heaven, taking as many with us as we can. At times we may find that the journey is not always easy, but we are assured of God's presence every step.
The life of Samson provides us many lessons about distractions and passing our faith on to the next generation.
As we look into the life of Samson, what lessons can we learn about passing the faith on to the next generation?
God's kingdom is not one of empty talk but of power. This power is seen in its message, making a difference in the life of the one who receives it. It is miraculous and more than any human effort.
God's kingdom is not one of empty talk but of power. This power is seen in its message, making a difference in the life of the one who receives it. It is miraculous and more than any human effort.
The man who is moving in the will of God has inner victory despite all outward circumstances.
Because we are stewards of God, we will answer to Him as to how we live our lives. We have a great position from which to minister to those around us in service to God.
When we face difficulty or storms in life we have the assurance that faith in God will bring us through.
Samson is playing with fire, teasing Delilah with lies about the source of his strength.
Scripture tells us that we are to delight in the Lord. There are things which should cause us all to delight, and failing to do so has dangerous effects.
God knows the path and journeys of His children. He is with them and makes provision for their needs.
We all face different circumstances but no matter where we are, we can find opportunities to be a witness for Christ.
Samson showed many times that God can and does use bad times and circumstances, even uses those of our own making, to bring about His glory and honor.
God is not a permissive parent and thus it does us well to say with the psalmist "Teach me Your way, O Lord".
To be effective, a Christian's witness must be based upon their own experience and knowledge of Christ.
Samson was given many opportunities and advantages but seemed to take them lightly getting into situations where only God could deliver.
What God has planned for you will not be the same as another, but whatever God has asked of us to do is the thing to which we should give our focus. It will have an affect on all areas of our life.
The preaching of the Word of God in faith and power leads to repentance, regeneration, and revival.
During Samson's wedding week, he presents a riddle to his friends. They convince Samson's wife to get the answer for them. The results are not good.
God's people may face suffering and difficult times but there is something worse than suffering in this world.
There is a thirst in life that only God can fill. If we feel the desperate need, make a definate choice, have determination and devotion, we will have a decided destiny.
In life we will face hardships and opposition, but as Christians we dare not let these hinder our witness for Christ.
God had a plan for Samson to deliver the nation of Israel but he was distracted by many things.
The gospel of God, with all its possibility and power, is often received with the help of friends. The gospel is valuable to overcome obstacles. It makes a definitive mark upon those who receive it, and it is amazing!
When received, the gospel of God is effective in all situations for all needs. It brings deliverance, love, help, and hope.
The gospel always brings men to the point of decision - to accept Christ or reject Him.
As Samson looked toward marriage there were multiple things distracting him from what God had planned.
Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, the worst things in our lives do not have to be the last things.
Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, the worst things in our lives do not have to be the last things.
Jesus weeps alongside His children in difficult places of life and weeps over those who choose to reject Him.
The way we react under difficult circumstances determines the extent to which we can be used of God.
Easter eggs and household supplies are a great way to teach children the account and historical evidence of Jesus' Resurrection.
As Christians, we will face persecution. The messenger of Christ must remain steadfast whether facing praise or persecution.
Manoah, Samson's father, struggled to understand his son's ministry, the identity of an angel, and how to respond to the message.
As exemplified by Saul and Barnabas, effective witnesses for God are called and sent forth by the Holy Spirit.
Transitioning from Jephthah to Samson as judge, we see the discussion of language, chronology, and pseudo=kings, as well as Manoah's mistrust of his wife to get the message right.
God sees all our ways and thoughts and He knows all about us. If we ask, He will show us the true condition of our heart.
God is still seeking out people today. His grace saves us and equips us for His service.
As Christians we should keep occupied until Christ returns. We should be occupied with knowing, loving, and being like Jesus, while looking for His return.
Christ may return for the church at any time. This possibility should determine the priorities of daily living.
The Christian life is presented as one of great abundance. This is a life that is possible for us to live, but there is a human element affecting the extent of the abundance we experience.
In life there are many risks, and the mortality rate is 100%. Knowing that, it is important that we have a good insurance plan for our soul!
In a world of uncertainty, we can be certain that Jesus will be returning and it could be at any time. This should determine the priorities of our daily living.
To what are we sacrificing our children? Are we too busy for our children? Are we lazy with the answers that we give to their spiritual questions?
Paul said that the love of Christ compelled him. What did he mean by that and how can we have what he had?
God's message to the world is one of love. His love is evident through His consistent and constant witness, His word, our ability to choose, His warnings, and His Son who gave a remedy for sin.
The work of the Lord may suffer reverses at the opposition of some, yet they do so foolishly as His cause will ultimately triumph in the end.
A young man came to Jesus asking how to obtain eternal life. The young man had lived a good life for which Jesus did not condemn him. Yet Jesus saw into the young man's heart, desired his talents for God's kingdom and wanted to save him from spiritual failure. Jesus challenged the young man to follow Him.
There is great power in the name of Jesus. His name has a significant history and is a name of deliverance. Jesus' name has unending authority and power.
If we are to pass the faith to the next generation, we will have to let them be free to do what God has planned for their life. How do we train them and sharpen their gifts for their calling, and also avoid placing our dreams on them?
All that we have has been given to us from God. When He returns He will give us a reward as stewards.
There are things God has revealed to us including the value of family, our responsibility to be a light in this world, and the faithfulness of God.
Some things God keeps to Himself and we do not fully understand them. On the other hand, God has revealed some things to us and we are responsible for those things.
God's grace has reached out to all, calling us not only to salvation, but also to service.
Jephthah took position as judge of Israel and began to negotiate with Israel's enemy for their freedom.
As Christians we are individually and collectively a temple for the dwelling of God. If we build on falsehood, the temple will be destroyed. God has always guarded His temple seriously and as holy, so we must take care how we build it.
God has called out to everyone. Those who hear and respond, He sets apart and preserves for His purpose.
Christ told a parable of a wedding in which one came without proper attire. It is only with the garment of Christ's Righteousness, which is offered to all, can we take part in the marriage supper of the Lamb.
As we continue our study of the book of Judges focusing on passing the faith from one generation to the next, we come upon Jephthah who was both a skilled fighter and communicative.
Sin leaves us destitute and no more than a beggar. In this state we are utterly dependent upon God if we want to be made clean. When one such beggar finds relief, it is only natural that he would tell another.
In times like these, it is vital to know what really matters. Sometimes the very things that we think are important may hold us down, but there are some things to keep as priorities for us to make Heaven our home.
While there are many reasons for celebration, one of the greatest is when a seeking Father and repentant child meet.
Although we often remember those who live a spectacular life, the ordinary and seemingly mundane stable influence is vitally important if we are to pass the faith into the next generation.
There is good reason to keep a careful and diligent watch over our heart, for from there come the issues of life. What is in our heart will come out through our words and actions.
God's love is a love of deep compassion that moves Him. His love causes Him to listen to our cry and come to us with freedom to lift us. It is a love that lasts through all times, teaching us and linking us together.
Jesus is the good shepherd who gave His life for us, and therefore He is concerned about the safety, welfare, and comfort of His flock.
There is great power in story to pass a message from one to another. How can we use the power of story to pass on the message of the gospel?
There are many who have darkness in their life, but there is One who knows how to handle the darkness. Jesus is the light who gives brightness, is consoling, heart searching, will be triumphant, and gives witness.
There is much to learn in the book of Judges. This book reminds us of the importance of passing our faith on to the next generation. One way we can do this is through the power of story.
He came. Simple words and a simple statement with a message of significant meaning in our life. That meaning includes a remedy for our sin problem, help in our time of desperate need, and so much more.
In the account of Abimelech, we see the curse of Jotham is fulfilled. We also see the truth of the proverb "though the mills of God's judgement grind slowly, yet they grind exceedingly small."
During this time of year, we all have many things filling our days. What is the end goal and ultimate aim as we engage in all the Christmas activities? May we not forget the greatest gift and take time to revel in it.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem there was much happening in the town, and no room in the inn. Today with much going on in the world around us, and amid our own busy schedules, do we have room for Jesus?
After Gideon died, one of his sons arranged to be anointed king, while another son told a story. Both paved the way for future judgement.
In the darkness of our circumstances and trials, it can be easy to forget God's promises. There are times when from our limited perspective, it may seem that there is a delay in their fulfillment. Let us continue to wait patiently and remain firm in our belief.
When passing the faith to the next generation, it is not simply enough to see our children as good kids. Discipline and humility are important factors in helping them to develop a personal relationship with Christ and be more than just good kids.
God has extended great generosity to us. May we not fail to show appropriate gratitude to Him in response.
There is a faith that comes when things are going easy but it is incomplete faith. If we wish to please God and be assured of our entry into heaven, we must go beyond this level of faith.
When passing the faith to the next generation, it is not simply enough to see our children as good kids. The question is whether they will keep steady when tested and faced with trials.
Faith is vital to the Christian. It inspires a proper relevance for God, helps us weather the storms of life, calls upon God's resources, incites devotion, and spawns spiritual growth.
When we look around at our world and its circumstances, it does us good to remember just how big our God is. He is big enough to give victory in our trials, to give us peace and joy, and to live within our hearts.
If we are to pass on a spiritual legacy it is not enough for us to at one time have done well, but it must continue on through our life. As we continue to study the life of Gideon, we look at how this played out in his life.
God is good! He gives us His promises to stand on and a refuge in prayer. Additionally, God allows us to feel His presence and experience His patience. These are only a few ways that God reveals His goodness to us.
Although God uses severe measures in our lives, it is all part of His goodness. He uses the bad things in our lives to get our attention in order to save us from the worst things: a life destroyed by sin and an eternity in hell.
There is a place of comfort and rest in the arms of Jesus that can be found daily for the Christian who is bearing a heavy load. Also there is a place in the arms of Jesus for the repentant, returning heart.
God wants us to have peace and the assurance that He has overcome the world even though we are surrounded with bad news and face trying times.
Just as a good host would do, Jesus provides for our needs and gives until we have an overflow. To get to this point we must have a thirst for God and come to Him and partake of what He gives.
We need a spiritual leader just as sheep need a shepherd. Jesus, as our leader and shepherd, provides us abundance, guidance, restoration, instruction, and courage during the dark times of life.
We continue studying the life of Gideon and the lessons from his life that we can apply to our lives today.
Not all rebellion and revolution is bad, especially when it is against a spiritual lukewarm state. What would a godly rebellion do in your life?
We often hear people say "God Bless America". However, we cannot expect God's blessing on our nation, or our personal lives, if we are not living according to His Word.
Complete consecration to God requires that we separate ourselves from the world and unto God.
We live in a world with so many options and variety of choices, but for the most important things in life there is really only one option.
Through all of time there have been those who are fully persuaded to live for God. Theses are people who recognize God, are won over by Him, and remain true.
This episode continues the discussion about what the Bible has to say about gender roles.
We often think that we have time to get to what needs done, but there is coming a time when it will be too late. We need to act now!
Procrastination is a common problem, but we dare not let it creep into our spiritual lives. Today is the time to do something about your spiritual need.
One cannot be effective in their Christian service if they are not maintaining victorious Christian living. Victory is essential!
Jael puts a twist on traditional gender roles for her time. What does the Bible say about gender roles and how much of it is cultural?
Jesus walks down the various ways of life to meet anyone who will seek Him. When we meet Him we continue down life's path changed forever.
Christians have a living hope in Christ for both time and eternity. This hope is not just wishful thinking but rather something of substance.
God's judgement is serious and the Bible's description of it can be graphic. This is seen when Jael puts a tent peg through Sisera and takes away honor from Barak.
Though we never outgrow looking to Jesus for strength and guidance, there comes a point where we watch with Him to help accomplish His will. This involves a complete and full surrender of ourselves to His plans.
On the path of life, God guides His children as though they were the only traveler on the path. He guides them with a purpose of finding life abundantly.
It has been said that God can give us what we lack, reveal what we do not know, and make us what we are not. God wants to give His children a stable foundation, show us His plan, and make us more like Him.
As Christians, God has both made us and redeemed us. This fact alone reveals to us the One who has authority in our lives, our worth, and our purpose.
Before He left the earth, Jesus gave a commission to His disciples to spread the gospel. This command requires a ready response from every Christian.
When men were not following God, He used two women to do His will. One of these was Deborah who was both prophetess and judge.
In a time when there is so much happening that can discourage us, it does us good to follow the example of David and encourage ourselves in the Lord. There is much encouragement to be gained from the goodness of God which is shown in many ways, including salvation adequate for our sin problem.
In a time when there is so much happening that can discourage us, it does us good to follow the example of David and encourage ourselves in the Lord. There is much encouragement to be gained from the goodness of God which is shown in many ways, including the extras He gives.
There is a part of all of us which aspires to greatness. This is seen clearly in the request made of Jesus' disciples. Whatever man may think, service to Christ and others is the true measure of greatness.
Everyone has a different personality which affects the way we do everything. As a result, it is easy for us to look at certain people as not qualified for tasks. God knows your personality and how to use it for His kingdom.
Before leaving Earth, Jesus said that He would one day return for His own. We all should take heed and prepare for that day, for we do not know when He will return.
It has often been said that God can use us despite our weaknesses, but what if God chooses to use us because of them? It seems this may have been the case with Ehud, judge of Israel.
Although Jesus is King of all kings, when He came to earth His entrance was unlike what we would expect from royalty. He came instead to turn human values upside-down, to show that the greatest power came not from without but from within, and to ultimately provide forgiveness from our sins.
There is no question that mankind is looking for something to satisfy an inner craving. Jesus has the answer for your craving, no matter where you find yourself.
It is not simply good enough in life to have a good looking exterior if the interior is rotten. The same goes for the Christian life. Our internal attitude must align with our external presentation.
If we are to be successful in passing the torch of faith to the next generation, it is imperative that we have a a proper understanding of sin and grace.
In the book of Judges, we read of one generation who failed to pass on the truth to the upcoming generation. If we are to avoid repeating that same mistake, we must have answers. One thing for which we must have an answer is the Genesis flood.
Jesus promised that He would return to Earth at the end of time. One may look on and see that He has delayed. In light of this delay, we should remember that God does keep His promises, He is extending mercy, and desires us to be ready for the fulfillment of His promise.
The enemy of the Christian does not give up. Often times the way he attacks a more seasoned Christian is different. Instead of an outright violation of God's will, he tempts with a gradual hardening of the heart. Chipping away in small ways of unbelief and wrong attitudes. A hardened heart is a danger to the Christian life.
At times things can look bleak and discouraging around us, causing us to worry and be troubled. God has something better for the Christian than worry. For those who follow close to God, there is strength to walk in hard places and power to soar above circumstances.
God does not desire us to be fans of his, for fans tend to be fickle. They are on board when things are going well but tend to head out when they are not. Rather we are called to be disciples that are completely committed. It is only when we give our all to God that we truly begin to live.