How many times have we been reminded by life experience that the path due to our calling is not always simple and easy to follow? We are instructed to enter the Kingdom of God by “the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:14). Yet Christ was aware of the challenges that His followers would face. He left us, from the apostles forward, with encouragement through a solid focus on the big picture. Encouragement is a vehicle to strengthen relationships and build bonds. We, as part of God’s family, have a … [Read more...] about Encourage One Another
Categories
Conversion Is a Process
Can reading just one scripture save your neck? It sounds outlandish, but King Henry II of England, crowned in 1154, issued a decree that ultimately allowed certain English prisoners to do just that. King Henry issued a law that stated, “A person subject to the death penalty could appeal for the benefit of clergy.” A minister or cleric assigned to the prison would then be called in to stipulate a passage of the Bible that the prisoner would have to read aloud. The accepted passage came to be … [Read more...] about Conversion Is a Process
Are You Anchored?
Years ago, I worked as a Project Assistant for the Arizona Game and Fish Department on a trout habitat below Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. We arrived by boat near the diversion tunnels at the base of the dam, and as he jumped out, my boss wrapped the rope around a large rock. After working a while, I went back for supplies. Climbing over a rock outcropping, I panicked! The rope had come loose, and the current was rapidly pulling the boat downstream. I took a gigantic leap for it. … [Read more...] about Are You Anchored?
Anticipating the Feast of Trumpets
How do we know that the Feast of Trumpets is related to Christ’s second coming? In ancient Israel, a trumpet or shofar was blown for a variety of reasons, to call an assembly for a festival or to gather the people together in the presence of the Lord. When God descended onto Mount Sinai and gave Israel the law, trumpets were blown to announce the arrival of God’s presence. Trumpets were also sounded in alarm and to call troops to battle, at the coronation of a king, and to declare the Jubilee … [Read more...] about Anticipating the Feast of Trumpets
A Coin of Hope
In 2018, 70.8 million people were displaced by conflicts and violence worldwide, according to the UN Refugee Agency, up from a record 38 million in 2014. Despair has driven many to risk dangerous and life-threatening journeys just to find some type of relief. This is Satan’s world, and he is the author of confusion, depression, and negativity. But our Creator, the One True God, is positive! Depression is like a two-sided coin, so let’s flip it over and look at the other side, the coin of … [Read more...] about A Coin of Hope
3-D Sabbath
One of the pillars of our calling is the Sabbath day and failing to keep it can pave the way to losing our identity. Let’s look at three important dimensions of the Sabbath. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8:28). Not only is this an encouraging verse, it also helps us to understand a deeper dimension of the Sabbath. We know from 1 John 5:3 that the love of God is, “...that we keep His … [Read more...] about 3-D Sabbath
The Lying Epidemic
The position of being separated from God leaves a person very exposed to the forces of destruction. Through the prophet Isaiah, God states, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God…” (Isaiah 59:2). Sin and God simply do not mix. Not that God doesn’t give space for sin to be repented of – He does. But when sin is a way of life, certain characteristics develop as a result. One of the main destroying forces that quickly develops is lying. “… your lips have spoken lies … they trust … [Read more...] about The Lying Epidemic