“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” Eph. 1:13 opens with "In whom ye also trusted." In whom, in Christ, ye, you Ephesians, also trusted in Christ, which... Continue Reading →
How were Old Testament saints saved? I, and the pastors at Fellowship Bible Church would encourage saints to consider that salvation was always by faith. “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Rom. 4:3). So, then, what do you make of this story of the lawyer... Continue Reading →
1st John4:8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. [9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. [10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us,... Continue Reading →
"That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." (Eph 1:12 ) Who is Paul talking about when he wrote, “who first trusted in Christ”? Some commentaries would argue that Paul must’ve been talking about the Jews in the OT. Or maybe the members of the Little Flock were... Continue Reading →
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15) This process has value through dispensations, yet James 1:1 writes “to the twelve tribes” of Israel. (Prove all things... Continue Reading →
Paul covers seven basic points about your inheritance from God. 1) Inheritance was always by faith. I guess you could say that faith got your name written into the will. Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law,... Continue Reading →
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts,... Continue Reading →
The carnal believer, walks as a man and wastes time on fleeting vanity, but the spiritual man, walks as a son of God and redeems it with the wisdom of Christ. One squanders earthly resources for no gain, while the other, endued with divine wisdom, invests in eternity. The difference - one spends the other... Continue Reading →
How do you exegete the expression, “dispensation of the fulness of times”? What does this mean word-for-word? You know what verse I’m talking about: Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;... Continue Reading →
Col.3:9] Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; [10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: As time goes by, we ‘grow older’ with it day by day, and as long as... Continue Reading →
This genius story can only be found in Matt. 17. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? (Mat 17:24) This was not about paying taxes to the Roman government. In the Greek, tribute is di-drachma, or double drachma, which... Continue Reading →
Gal 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the... Continue Reading →
1) “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2) So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3) Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4) If thou seekest her as silver, and search-est for her as for hid treasures; 5) Then... Continue Reading →
Sometimes, a saint may think to themselves, How can I encourage others, when I live far away or am homebound? We are to be God's representatives while we are here on earth: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (II... Continue Reading →
I suspect we’d all agree that the way we measure time was designed by God, right? Everything about time is divisible by six. Six is the number of man. Man was created on the sixth day. But six is also the number for man being destitute of God. Seven is the number of spiritual perfection... Continue Reading →
A study option to consider when approaching your Bible is regularly 'asking yourself application questions.' These will help you to practically live the doctrine and verses you are reading or learning. In the Word itself, God shows us many ways to look at and study the Scriptures, however, for a quick list of ideas for... Continue Reading →
My prayer for all Calvinists is that they come into the knowledge of the truth and understand the Word rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15), that they recognize Paul as their apostle today, and quit perverting verses in the Gospels to be all about them when they aren’t. Make no mistake. Matthew 18 has nothing whatsoever... Continue Reading →
In our walk, understanding how to walk worthy in Christ is vital. Ephesians 5, where we're instructed to "walk circumspectly," offers rich insights worth our attentive meditation. In a world brimming with spiritual snares and moral traps, walking circumspectly becomes more than just a command—it becomes a way of life aligned with our divine calling.... Continue Reading →
[This is an excerpt from my Sunday message and new series on Ephesians. PTL! -Joel] Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Notice that we have in this one verse, blessed, blessed, and blessings, all variations... Continue Reading →
What is clutter? It is acquiring and maintaining things in a crowded, chaotic manner.This kind of disorder can make things difficult to manage or utilize. Clutter is generallythought of in the physical realm, what is seen around us. Yet, it can refer to a state ofmind or heart. Clutter can hinder us from living the... Continue Reading →
SUPPLY OF GRACE 