We are to understand sound doctrine, be motivated by godly love, and separate from those causing discord: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Rom. 16:17) This is not a license to be grace quality control inspectors, scrutinizing other saints... Continue Reading →
How should a believer pray for a tragedy like the horrible flash flooding in Texas? Of course, we know that natural disasters are not judgments from God today. How do we know this? 2 Cor 5:19 tells us “that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them...” He... Continue Reading →
1Th 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 1Th 3:4 For verily, when we were... Continue Reading →
Faith is something unseen, invisible to human eyes: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) So, sometimes what we believe can feel allusive, especially during difficulties. Our view of God can be limited by what we know, but also what we trust in the depth... Continue Reading →
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. In both... Continue Reading →
Who are the “aged women” referred to in Titus 2? The most obvious answer is those who are older physically and have had a lifetime of opportunities to experience the stages of life: a child, youth, adolescence, middle age, and the older years. This gives occasion to apply sound doctrine in various roles, exper-iences, and... Continue Reading →
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee... Continue Reading →
Most saints don’t understand how the doctrines actually work with sufferings for our benefit. They’re specifically designed to be ‘for us’ in this dispensation: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Difficult situations are humbling... Continue Reading →
In Luke 13, a few Pharisees came to Jesus with a warning as the Lord was traveling to Jerusalem. “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee” (Luke 13:31). The Lord responds with a message for Herod (Luke 13:32-33) that... Continue Reading →
A card game has similar aspects to our faith walk and can help us think about choices. Will we decide to be a player? In the game of life, sometimes we sit it out because of fear, setting aside all the wonderful resources God has provided and what He desires for us. Saints may resist... Continue Reading →
When the tower at Siloam fell over, it killed more than 18 people. It killed Calvinism, too! Let's start with Luk 13:1. "There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices." First, we're told that “There were present at that season…” What season... Continue Reading →
Rom.12:1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and... Continue Reading →
Satan has designed an effective plan (Eph. 2:1-2) to detour, silence, or shut us down, making saints unaware or too busy to help and support one another. Our journey can be shrouded by day-to-day responsibilities and difficulties. This can affect our awareness of needs in our local assembly or circle of influence. Ask yourself: ‘Are... Continue Reading →
Why do we sometimes feel as if we are held captive and do things we don’t want to do? The reason is we still have the flesh, which has lust and sin. This will not change until we get our glorious new bodies. Satan is temporarily the god of this world (II Cor 4:4), but... Continue Reading →
Do I really need to pray for more help, more strength, and more insight from God? As you ponder this, ask yourself if you really need more from God. II Corinthians 12:9 says, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I... Continue Reading →
We shall heretofore attempt to exegete all those headache-inducing passages about “this generation” in the Gospels! As a bonus, we shall also exegete that time the Lord said, “There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” [Note - this first section... Continue Reading →
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:3 For what the law... Continue Reading →
““And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;” I Thesssalonians 4:11 In this society and time, saints seem to have the tendency to stay in a state of busyness. This is a focus on the issues of this life,... Continue Reading →
Our spiritual walk as a believer is affected by our free will choices in circumstances and where we are in our understanding of Romans 6-8’s Sanctification Process. This section is foundational instruction for saints on how to consistently walk after the grace doctrines laid forth in Paul’s epistles to attain holiness. Romans 6-8 is a different... Continue Reading →
[This is a snippet from Sunday’s sermon and our series on Ephesians. - Joel] “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (Eph. 1:15-16). The saints loved because they had... Continue Reading →
SUPPLY OF GRACE 