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“If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]” you are doing well.” James 2:8 This is perhaps one of the most difficult commandments relating to human relationships in the Bible. At times, if we are completely honest with ourselves, there are some in our lives that we find extremely difficult to love - as ourselves. They may not be our enemies, they may not do us wrong. Perhaps they do not…  ( Click for more )

It can be so easy when we feel down, and our life seems to have placed us on our on, to feel that God has somehow abandoned us. We can secretly feel in the darkness of our night as we try to sleep, that we must be a second-class Christian, that Jesus has place us last on the list of those whom He responds to. Do you feel sometimes that its because you are not part of the “inter circle” of your church, or just other Christians in general? Perhaps you subconsciously feel that its because of this that your life is not what you expected it to be? If this is so, you…  ( Click for more )

In our world today - actually it has always been this way - there are many who are doing wonderful works. There are mammoth organization that have done and are doing wonderful works of service: the providing of human needs, relieving the struggle of multitudes that cry out for help. The list is almost endless, and their works are truly merciful and desperately need in a world of starvation, slavery. Some so massive that the average person will never know about. The works of mercy and compassion seem to be growing every day. The need and the efforts to fill that need. However,…  ( Click for more )

Today there are many who believe that the return of Jesus will return is very near. We observe various unusual sign in the sky and even on the earth. Although this is certainly possible, a statement by Jesus would seem to cause us to question any statement which would indicate He would come because or at the time of an event. Down the ages many have attempted to judge the time of Jesus’ return. But He did not, and he has not as of the time of this writing. The Bible also speaks of His return as “a thief in the night”. Notice His warning: “Therefore,…  ( Click for more )

Many it seems today decide to leave the church they have been attending. Some assume that if you leave a church, they have automatically abandoned Christ. There are many reasons. To those leaving, the reasons seem justified. Some of the reasons are justified, some are not. There are many churches to choose from and available to attend; therefore there are many also to leave, whatever the reasons. If someone knows the truth of Jesus Christ, and have believed in Him, if they are tired of the preaching they hear for some reason, perhaps they should just stop listening and just start…  ( Click for more )

“Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the LORD is coming; Surely it is near. A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, So there is a great and mighty people; There has never * * been anything like it, Nor will there be again after it To the years of many generations. A fire consumes before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them But a desolate wilderness behind them, And nothing…  ( Click for more )

The Whole Counsel of God? "For I never shrank or kept back or fell short from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan and counsel of God." (Acts 20:27 Amplified Bible) We live in a society of "sound bites", video clips, instant messaging, and a pot pori of various and sundry "lnstants". TV commercials get shorter, with increasing glitz and lightening speed images - all compacted together within a very short time frame, and yet designed to have the greatest emotional impact. Truly, as someone has said, reality is what is perceived. The idea…  ( Click for more )

These two books of the Bible seem to the reader to be some of the most repetitious, detailed, and wearing to read of all the books of all the Old Testament. Many readers of them see no modern application that can be applied. It seems like history and history only. However these two books teach an incredible truth that is easy to miss because of the seeming repetition. Israel had refused to enter the promised land, after all they had suffered getting that far. They refused to go the “last mile” with God and Moses. Their just punishment would play out over approximately…  ( Click for more )

The title of this writing has been commented on many times, and during many “times” down through past ages. It seems to get most people’s attention. At least for a while. However, the truth of what is recorded in the book of Revelation becomes more and more convincing with the publishing of world news - almost hour by hour. The end of our world as we have known it, historically and presently, as recorded in the book of Revelation in the Bible become clearer day after day. (Revelation 13, etc.) Doubt and speculation is slowly becoming a reality in daily news…  ( Click for more )

Can God use sinners while they are still sinners? Some would probably say a resounding “no!” However if this is true, we have a very serious problem with an incident that occurred in the Bible. This particular incident has had more than its share of comment, criticism, and speculation. Those who reject the biblical record say it proves a variety of conclusions. Some use it as an attempt to reject the Bible completely. Prior to Israel entering the promised land, Joshua sent spies to scout the land just across the border. Eventually, they entered a house. Rather…  ( Click for more )

There is a word used many times in the Bible that carries more weight and authority than any other in the Bible. It is used often in public prayer, as well as private conversations. We use the phraises "heavenly Father', "God", "Lord God", "Holy Father", etc. And these expression of worship and thanks are appropriate. But one word stands out as perhaps the most important word we can use in praying and references to God, whether in private prayers, giving of thanks, or public worship. That word is "Lord". This word means one to whom…  ( Click for more )

Someone, attempting to be humorous said “I can resist anything…except temptation”. It has been my experience that this statement could not be any more true. It is a universal truth that is almost universally proven by the human race. Short, pithy sayings are often humorous, and also illustrate a more important principle or truth. The implication of this saying being that the temptation itself is not the factor in a person’s mind that is sin. Rather, the temptation that is given in to, becomes the sin. The temptation of itself is not sin. Jesus was…  ( Click for more )

There is a cliche I grew up with that has come to mind many times: “Things change!“ Now is one of those times. Almost nothing stays the same. Sometimes by the hour. What is happening to “our world”? Can we understand at least some events that are rapidly occurring? At least an overview? The Bible says much, much more than that, if we will yield to the One who wrote it. Huge changes are about occur over the coming years. Some will occur so rapidly and in such magnitude many will be utterly confused and fearful of what is occurring in the world. This…  ( Click for more )

Kenney and I have something in common; we both have the same first name. But I never used it until I was in the Army. The Army insisted that I remember - and use it. “Kenny” - was a good man. What an incredible understatement! So much in five words! What an honor to be known as a good man! I believe he was one of the hardest working men I have ever known. Of course, perhaps he absorbed himself in his work in order to help deal with his afflictions. But - regardless - he worked when he didn’t feel like it, honored his employer, and set an example for others…  ( Click for more )

It seems that there has always been an endless theories, pronunciations, speculations, etc. concerning Jesus' return. Adding to the theories is a Jewish authority who has added his name to the list. He seems to have a new theory that ends with Jesus' return approximately 64 years from no (present time 2017). If correct, Jesus should return in the year 2081. Jesus said that there would eventually be those who say He is here, or there, or coming, etc., etc., claiming that they somehow have been led to believe Jesus will return according to their calculations. Approximately…  ( Click for more )

How long have you waited for God to answer your prayer? Perhaps He is waiting for you to truly believe. One way we can think of the Bible is that God is pleading for us to believe! He has gone to great links to convince - and convict - us to truly BELIEVE. While having a conversation with a close friend, we ended it when one of us said “let go and let God…”. The other agreed. This statement is time worn, but can be true…it works, and is the answer to many of our difficulties and lack of success in our efforts. Letting go can be extremely difficult…  ( Click for more )

Many years ago a movie appeared in theaters entitled "Is That All There Is?" Music accompanied the film emphasizing the question as a series of events evolved that reflected the frustration and disappointment of the major character as he lived through a life of various successes and disappointments. Sprinkled throughout the movie dialogue there is a moment of pause, and a voice asked "Is this all there is"? The movie apparently intended to emphasis the utter futility of life as it is lived out in several different lives of the characters. Have you felt…  ( Click for more )

Is there a universal sense of right and wrong in everyone - even those who have never ever heard of a God or Jesus Christ? Psychologists, philosophers, and Christian teachers have grappled with the conscience in one way or another for eons it seems. We all were born with a conscience, and it becomes active a very young age. It is part of God’s creation in us. It was created in mankind when God created Adam and Eve. They were created with a pure and undefiled conscience. They had a freedom of conscience that no one has experienced since their disobedience in the garden. …  ( Click for more )

It it so easy to forget an important moment, although that moment may seem to be gone forever. Some should last to be remembered always. Israel, when they were delivered out of Egypt, remembered for a while. But things got tough, they forgot the value of their deliverance. They grew weary with the journey. They were on the edge of a new land, a new life of abundance and peace. But...they could no longer trust Moses and Aaron, and those who brought back a good report of the land they were not ready to enter. They refused the opportunity, because being weary they feared the…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever come to a conclusion concerning something because of the silence concerning it? What is not said can be much stronger that what is said out loud. There are times when the “sound of silence” speaks louder than any other medium of communication. There is a related saying, as someone says to another “who you are speaks louder than what you say!” In other words. The hearer concluded something entirely different than what the speaker said. The sound of silence can be deafening. God us often denigrated and even ignored because He is not audibly…  ( Click for more )

Why is it so difficult to live life, if we are Christians, in the way that we know down deep that we should be living? Even when we desire with all our heart to live as Christ desires us to, the more we desire and strive to live as He would have us to strive, the more we struggle, the more we seem to go backward. Some give up and "go with the flow", and coast in the direction along with unbelievers around us who are following the world's way. It seems they are having it much easier then we are. And, it they are, its not as easy for them as we would like to think they…  ( Click for more )

Does Jesus’ sacrifice keep us from sinning? Or, does His sacrifice provide a substitute for the payment due us because of our sins? There are some religious beliefs that teach that His sacrifice blots out all our sins after we believe in Him - past, present and future, regardless of how we live in the future. Therefore, we can live a life that totally ignores sin, even if we sin deliberately, and without conscious remorse. Therefore, there is no need for ongoing repentance when sin is knowingly realized. Many would say “it was all settled long ago on the cross…”…  ( Click for more )

There is an interesting episode recorded in the book of Mark of the Bible that speaks volumes about faith, and belief. Sometimes those who truly want to believe in Jesus Christ find it too difficult to leave the desire and enter into genuine belief and faith. Mark records an incident in the book of Mark that addresses the difficulties believing when someone is faced with a crisis in life. Jesus encounters a father desperate to do something for his child who is plagued with demonic affliction. Notice the dialogue: "The demon has often thrown him both into fire and into…  ( Click for more )

We reap what we sow. This is such a well know statement that it is recognized and used to apply to life in general There are consequences. Some last a long time. Some, for the remainder of our lives. This is true of individuals and nations. That which we are seeing at the time of this writing is just the beginning of worldwide threats and troubles. The history of worldwide conflicts have, down through history, seemed to follow a pattern that begins rather incidental, then begin to escalate in their intensity. Jeremiah predicted this pattern long ago, and it seems to…  ( Click for more )