The first recorded miracle of Jesus Christ was turning water into wine at a wedding celebration. Letâs look at how ancient wedding customs can shed light on the significance of this miracle found in the second chapter of John (John 2.1-10). The account starts with, âOn the third day". If we look back to the previous chapter of the book of John, we find that it was the third day since Christ had begun to call His disciples to follow Him, and three days since John the Baptist had acknowledged … [Read more...] about Christâs First Miracle
Repentance and Conversion
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, âA person subject to the death penalty could appeal for the benefit of clergy.â 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?
The Lying Epidemic
The position of being separated from God by sin leaves a person very exposed to the forces of tearing down and destruction. How can we be certain of this? Because God has already written the playbook. Through the prophet Isaiah, God states, âBut your iniquities have separated you from your GodâŚâ (Isaiah 59:2). Sin and God simply do not mix. Not that God doesnât give space for sin to be repented of â He does. But when sin is a way of life, certain characteristics develop as a … [Read more...] about The Lying Epidemic
Getting Out of the Mess Weâre In
There is one thing we have in common with everyone else. And itâs not just something we have in common with people who are just like us or our friends, but itâs something we have in common with people we donât even knowâwith people very much unlike us. Make no mistake; we all have a mess in our lives. And even if youâre lucky enough to be between messes right now, youâre still just a decision away from creating a brand-new mess. We are all good at hiding our messes. In fact, we usually are … [Read more...] about Getting Out of the Mess Weâre In
Keep On a-Changinâ!
In Jeremiah 17:9 we read the following: âThe heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?â Does this refer to followers of Godâs also? It basically refers to those without God, but those who are making a diligent effort to truly follow God do not get away scot-free. It would probably be fair to say for those trying to follow Godâs way: âThe heart is still occasionally deceitful, and sometimes still not in harmony with Godâs laws. We must, with Godâs help, get … [Read more...] about Keep On a-Changinâ!
The Years Ahead
In the coming years, the members of Godâs Church will face increasing pressure against maintaining a firm position on Godâs truth. It will be a year of challenge and change. The change will be all around us and the challenge will be âholding fast.â We will have reason to be very mindful of the Apostle Paulâs admonition to âWatch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strongâ (1 Corinthians 16:13). We are not making predictions, but simply trying to watch. Watchfulness is a spiritual condition … [Read more...] about The Years Ahead