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Daniel in the Lion's Den is perhaps one of the best known stories in the Bible. It has been told and retold millions upon millions of times; it is a children's favorite. However, do you know the circumstances that led up to Daniel's being cast into the lion's den. Today's message will see what got Daniel into this predicament as well as note some of Daniel's traits worthy of imitation.

“So the governors and satraps [regional government officials] sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful;…  ( Click for more )

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” (Revelation 6.9-11).

The language…  ( Click for more )

"But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." (Genesis 6.8-9).

When one considers the condition of the world in which Noah lived, today's focus text is astounding. While we do not know the exact population of the earth at the time Noah lived, by making some conservative assumptions we can see that the earth was not void of mankind by any stretch of the imagination. There were almost certainly millions of people who inhabited the earth and who were part of the universal…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah was not the first reluctant prophet; Moses had reservations about his qualifications too. In fact it took an epiphany to convince Moses that He ought to free his fellow Hebrews from the clutches of Egyptian tyranny. God had to demonstrate to Isaiah that He intends to use imperfect people to deliver His message to their fellowman. That lesson was needed then and it is needed today.

Isaiah's response when he saw images of heavenly origins was to say, “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;…  ( Click for more )

When it comes to the Lord’s Church, slackers and opportunists need not apply! Why so? Because among those who believe, the Lord commands “…each one shall bear his own load.” (Galatians 6.5).

It is a given in the context of this verse that each Christian has a load to bear. Stated another way, there is work for all to do – NO EXCEPTIONS! The design of the Church of our Lord demands that such be the case. As we have previously observed in this column, although we are saved as individuals, we are not left alone to sink or swim. God designed it such…  ( Click for more )

“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” (Galatians 6.4).

Our focus today will be on Paul’s commandment for believers to examine their own work. There is, as always, a context in which this command was given; the reader is strongly encouraged to consider this context as he/she seeks to fully understand and apply this verse to real-life situations. Our study today will primarily be a “word study” focused on the key verb, “examine.”

First, it is noteworthy that every…  ( Click for more )

“For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6.3).

Thinking is a human capability that is both marvelous and fearsome at the same time. While the ability to think is a wonderful gift it is also implies awesome responsibilities. For that reason, civilized societies establish laws and guidelines of human behavior and then hold their citizens accountable to those laws. When these laws are broken, almost all court systems and judicial venues take into account the intent of the one guilty of breaking the law as well…  ( Click for more )

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6.2).

More time and space could be used than we have in discussing the erroneous position that some take in saying, “The Christian is free from law; all law!” However I will not take your time nor mine defending the obvious import of this verse. This one inspired (and inspiring) verse disproves that doctrine without any comment from uninspired persons like me. Rather than approach this verse in a negative vein, we will look at it from the tremendously positive aspects which…  ( Click for more )

Biblical passages sometimes “jump out at you” due to their relevance or a particular need that is pressing. Today’s text is just such a passage for me; perhaps it will also be something you need. Due to the nature and style of these devotionals, the passage today will progress one verse at a time throughout this entire week. As we begin, we will quote the five verses to be addressed.

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one…  ( Click for more )

“And when they [the temple guards or officials] had brought them [the apostles], they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, 'Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!' But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We ought to obey God rather than men.'” (Acts 5.27-29; all emphasis mine, above & below, jeb)

The council was, to put things in perspective, an august body of men similar to our supreme court.…  ( Click for more )

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5.27-28; all emphasis mine, above & below, jeb). This saying is one of five times that Jesus used the “But I say...” expression during the Sermon on the Mount. However, these are not the only times that he used it. According to the other inspired records of His ministry, there were at least six other times when He uttered these words.…  ( Click for more )

“Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, 'If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.' Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.” (Mark 5.25-29; all emphasis mine, above & below, jeb). This same event is recorded in Matthew 9 and Luke 8; we will…  ( Click for more )

There are twelve (12) “lettuce” [let us] passages in the book of Hebrews. These make great sermon material and can easily be divided into three sermons of four points each. However, Paul also raised some “lettuce not” [let us not] patches that are worth looking into. Our devotional today, will take a very brief look at these passages.

“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5.26; all emphasis mine above and below). This text is especially ripe for study because it contains three prohibitions and…  ( Click for more )

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5.22-23; all emphasis mine above and below). If one notices closely, he will see that the first word of today's focus verse is the little word but. It is a word of contrast. Today's message will look at this contrast and some of its implications.

The contrasting verses appear just prior to today's verses. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,…  ( Click for more )

The last few verses of 1 Thessalonians 5 contain some pithy yet wise counsel. Among the sage advice offered is this: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5.21). While the statement is easily understood, Albert Barnes’ comments on the verse are well worth repeating; the following paragraph is from his commentary on the book of First Thessalonians.

“Subject everything submitted to you to be believed to the proper test. The word here used [for test] is one that is properly applicable to metals, referring to the art of the…  ( Click for more )

Do you know who was the oldest man whose age is recorded in the Bible? Of course you do – Methuselah at 969 years. Everybody knows that! Well how about the second oldest? Do you know him? Have you ever heard of Jared? He was the second oldest man and he lived 962 years. Yet, how many times do you hear his name mentioned? What did he ever do? Is he well known because he came in second or for any other reason for that matter? We'll explore that a bit in today's devotional.

“Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch. After he begot Enoch, Jared lived…  ( Click for more )

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians…  ( Click for more )

Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” (Matthew 5.17-18; all emphasis mine above and below, jb).

A person’s attitude toward Scripture speaks volumes about a person; though we can’t be perfect, attitude still is a great predictor of actions and intentions. Jesus, on the other hand was perfect; His attitude toward Scripture was one reason…  ( Click for more )

Unless Alexander Graham Bell could prove that Thomas A Watson had heard him say, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you,” the telephone would have been just another inventor's flop. However, he did hear the words and he reported them back to Bell, proof positive that the telephone was a means by which a message could be transmitted in an otherwise unbelievable means from point A to point B.

John wrote, “ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask,…  ( Click for more )

Attacks are never pleasant! Paul was under attack and today's message takes a look at some of the dynamics of that attack and how he responded to it as well as how he counseled those who might be collaterally damaged by it. Consider carefully the following quote.

“For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge…  ( Click for more )

Leprosy! Even today with our modern medical techniques and knowledge it strikes terror in our hearts. It is a disease which isolates and devastates its victims. Naaman, a Syrian Army commander during the reign of Benhadad II, was stricken with the disease. But for a set of circumstances in which God had a hand, Naaman would have gone to his grave a leper, but mercifully he was cured of his illness. Today's message will take a look at some of the events surrounding his miraculous healing.

Sometimes men of might such as Naaman come to expect treatment by others in proportion to…  ( Click for more )

John writes: “I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals' And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.” (Revelation 5.1-4).

The book of Revelation is a book of symbols. It is not impossible to understand, but it is difficult. Certainly…  ( Click for more )

Sad realities are nonetheless true and must be faced. One sad reality is the fact that false teachers, some of them, will stop at nothing to achieve their objectives. There is no clearer proof of this than the fact that Jesus, the sinless Son of God was unmercifully ushered to the Cross at the insistence of false teachers.

Paul, a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ , faced the sad reality of false teachers everyday of his Christian life (2 Corinthians 11.26). Peter warned about false teachers in the Christian era just as surely as there had been false prophets in the Old Testament…  ( Click for more )

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5.6-8; all emphasis mine above and below, jb).

Love spoken is a token at best; Love shown is a deed greatly blest! God loves us, but He does far more than just speak the words; He demonstrates His love. It is interesting that the tense of the verb “demonstrates”…  ( Click for more )