Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. (Ecc 7:10 NKJ)There is a usual feeling among some that the older days were better. They think that, then, people were morally better, things were safer and more reliable, and the songs had more meaning than the songs sung today. It seems like the modern world has putrefied disgustingly. However, one doesn’t fail to understand that dirt doesn’t just come from nowhere. The sewage pipes of human nature were there all the time hidden beneath the...
Perspectives
A taxi driver sees people standing on the pavements: they are waiting or boarding - passengers.A medical doctor notices people of different shapes and sizes: they are either healthy or unwell - patients.A vendor keeps his eyes fixed on someone nearing him: they are either coming to him or are just passing by - buyers.An evangelist looks at people on photos, videos, or face to face: they are either lost or found - souls.An adulterer follows women with his eyes: they are either appealing or unappealing - sex partners.A prostitute gazes flirtatiously...
Denial
Denial means abnegation or nullification. It means to say "no" to or about something.Denial of truth is rejection of truth. Confession is the opposite of denial. (John 1:20).The Bible tells us that God will deny us if we deny Him (2Tim.2:12; Matt.10:23; Luke 12:9).Denial of God can be done1. In words (Prov.30:9)2. In works (Tit.1:16)(see also Jude 1:4; Rev.2:13)The one who denies Christ1. Is a liar (1Jn.2:22)2. Is antichrist (1Jn.2:22)3. Does not have the Father (1Jn.2:23)In the case of Peter's denial of Christ three times, the Lord restored him...
Anxiety
Anxiety isWorry about the seeming insecurities of life (Matt.6:25)Insecurity about future (Matt.6:34)Fear of the uncertain (Jer.17:8; Eze.12:18)Anxiety causesDepression (Prov.12:25)Desperation (Dan.2:3)SolutionJesus taught us not to worry (Matt.6:25)Worrying can solve not even the least of the problem (Luke 12:25,26)We must not have an anxious mind (Luke 12:29,30)We must believe that God takes care of us (Luke 12:25,26; Matt.6:26-31)We must pray with thanksgiving and speak to God instead of worrying and murmuring (Phil.4:6)Divine peace and consolation...
Greed
Greed isSin (Exo.20:17)The greedy desire to have more (Gk. pleonexia).Desire for unjust gain (Hb. betsa)Desire, craving, longing for what is forbidden (Gk. epithumia)To give one's self up to the love of money (Gk. oregomai, 1Tim.6:10)Eagerness for base gain (Gk. aischrokerdes, 1Tim.3:3)To be without greed means to be without love for money or be content with such things as one has (Gk. aphilarguros)Love of Money (or Possessions)Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1Tim.6:6)Love of money leads one astray from faith (1Tim.6:10)Love of...
Faith
Faith is both propositional doctrine, teaching, way of belief (Rom.10:8) and personal response to God's grace (Rom.10:17)Facts about FaithFaith can be seen (Matt.9:2; James 2:18; Acts 14:9)Not all have faith (2Thess.3:2)Whatever is not from faith is sin (Rom.14:23)The Gospel is the word of faith (Rom.10:8)Faith has specific intent (e.g. "to be healed", "to remove mountain") (Acts 14:9)Faith is active; it works (James 2:1720; 1Thess.1:3)Jesus can only act in accordance to our faith (Matt.9:29; Luke 18:42)The presence of faith is bound...
Headship
But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (1Co 11:3 NKJ)The headship that Paul speaks about in 1Corinthians 11 concerns headship within a family. In a family, the head of a woman is her husband. Christ is the head of both the husband and the wife directly; however, the wife is also under the authority of her husband who is under the authority of Christ. This means that the wife has both the authority of Christ and her husband (who is under the authority of Christ) over...
Taking the Lord's Name in Vain
The third of the Ten Commandments is: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." (Exo 20:7)To take the name of the Lord in vain means to use it unnecessarily, wrongfully, falsely, disrespectfully, incautiously, and irreverently.Examples are:1. Using phrases such as "Oh my God!" and "Jesus" as an interjection (or worse, as an expletive, along with words such as "shit"). Usually, it is part of a person's language, but it must be consciously removed from speech (Matt.12:35-37;...
Local Church
A local church is a group of believers in a particular geographical location.A Local Church1. Is NOT a linguistic group of Christians (Acts 6:1 - Both the Hebrews and the Greeks were in the same local church). The churches at Jerusalem and Antioch were never divided into separate Greek and Hebrew churches.2. Is NOT a racial group of Christians - A Black Church or A White Church or A Dalit Church as a racial division in the same locality doesn't exist.3. Is NOT a human leader-oriented group of Christians. (1Cor.1:12). No church could call...
Authority of an Apostle
1. To appoint elders in the churches (Acts 14:23)2. To address problems in a local church that the church is failing to handle (1Cor.1:10,11; Phil.4:1)3. To execute discipline regarding moral issues in the church (Acts 5:1-11; 1Cor.4:21; 2Cor.13:10)4. To authorize churches to execute discipline in the absence of the apostle (1Cor.5:3-5)5. To answer doctrinal questions of a local church and to prescribe rules (1Cor.7:1,17; 8:1)6. To charge the churches and individuals in office to do things important for the body of Christ (1Thess.5:27; 1Tim.1:3,18;...
Baptism
Baptism literally means "immersion" and "submersion". The picture usually is of a vessel immersed in water to clean it thoroughly.5 Kinds of Baptisms1. Baptism of Repentance (Mark 1:4; Acts 19:4)2. Baptism of Regeneration, Resurrection, or New Life (Rom.6:4; Col.2:12; 1Pet.3:21)3. Baptism of Suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus (Luke 12:5)4. Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5)5. Baptism of Fire (Matt.3:11, i.e. judgment, Luke 3:17)4 Dispensations of Baptism1. The Age of Human Government - Noah and his family were baptized into...
Slavery
Slavery is the practice of owning slaves. Though God permitted it in the Old Testament (See Permissive Will), He legislated laws to protect the dignity and individuality of the slave as a human created in God's image. According to the New Testament principle, however, slavery is inhuman, immoral, and evil.People sometimes bemoan the fact that slavery was permitted in the Old Testament; but, what one needs not fail to recognize is that it was permitted for only a liberating purpose and with certain limitations. It was both limited and liberating.Deuteronomy...
Boredom
Boredom is the sense of a drudgeful passage of time. It is the sense of monotony, humdrum, and tedium associated with the sluggish passage of time.(Read Gen.29:20)Characteristics of Boredom1. Lack of challenge2. Lack of pleasure3. Lack of excitement4. Lack of joy5. Lack of satisfaction6. Lack of motivation7. Lack of a sense of mobility - Time seems to move very slow.Boredom is1. The symptom of a devalued existence (Eccl.2:17)2. The symptom of a disengaged existence (1Thess.5:14; 2Thess.3:6,11).3. The sense of wearisomeness and vexation of spirit...
Apostle
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11)The apostle is a gift given by Jesus Christ to the Church. Apostleship is a calling. There is a belief that the office of apostleship discontinued with the 12 apostles. However, the Bible doesn’t teach that.The 12 ApostlesThe 12 apostles (with Mattias as the 12th in place of Judas) were foundational to the early Church. The Bible tells us that the Church is founded on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ...
Humans
God created man on the sixth day as male and female made in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26-28). They reflected the honor and glory of God and were given dominion over all creation (Ps. 8:5; Gen. 1:28). God created man as a physical, personal, and spiritual being; thus, man is body, soul, and spirit (Gen.2:7; Job 32:8; Eccl. 11:5; 12:7; 1Thess. 5:23). The first man Adam sinned and through this brought sin and death into the world (Rom. 5:12). The Bible says that in Adam all sinned, therefore death passed on to all men (Rom. 5:12). This...
Casting Lots
There are only three instances where casting of lots is mentioned in the New Testament: (1) When Zacharias’ turn came, by lot, to minister in the temple (Luke 1:9), (2) When the soldiers cast lots to divide the garments of Jesus (Matt 27:35), and (3) When Matthias was chosen by lot to take the place of Judas Iscariot as one among the Twelve (Acts 1:26). Following that, there is no mention of casting lots anymore in the Bible.Scholars believe that this is so because we live in the Age of the Holy Spirit and every decision after Pentecost comes from...
Glory of the Lord
The Hebrew word for “Glory” used in the Old Testament is kabod and it signifies “glory, honour, glorious, abundance, riches honour, splendour, glory, dignity, reputation, reverence”. The New Testament Greek word is doxa and signifies “splendour, brightness, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace, majesty”.The Bible talks about the glory of the sun, the moon, and the stars.“There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory...
Lust
Lust is intense craving coupled with an insatiable appetite (Num.11:4; Eze.16:28; Phil.3:19). It leads to sin (James 1:14,15)Characteristics of LustVarious (2 Tim.3:6)Harmful (1 Tim. 6:9)Foolish (1 Tim.6:9)Deceitful (Eph.4:22)Fleshly (1Pet.2:11)Worldly (Tit.2:12)Ungodly (Jude 1:18)Thrust of LustLusts of Flesh (Eph.2:3)Lust of Heart (Rom.1:24)Lust of Eyes (1John 2:16)Historiography of LustLusts of Men (1Pet.4:2)Lusts of your Fathers (John 8:44)Former Lusts (1Pet.1:14)Youthful Lusts (2Tim.2:22)Experience of LustTemptation of Lust (James 1:14)Drawn...
I AM THAT I AM
"I AM THAT I AM" is the Name by which God introduced Himself to Moses. The exact passage is:And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. (Ex.3:13,14)This is the Name by which only God can introduce Himself.If somebody asked me who I am, I might answer...
14 Qualities of Friendship According to Jesus
Text: John 15:9-17Friendship is God-ordained. It proceeds from God the Father – “as the Father loved me, I also loved you” (John 15:9)Friendship is Christ-patterned. He is the one true example of a True Friend – “as I have loved you…” (John 15:9)Friendship is a Sacred Tie/Bond. “keep my commandments” (John 15:10)Friendship is a Choice to Love despite everything. “abide in My love… love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:9,12)Friendship is a Cup brimming with Divine Joy. “that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be...
Self-Control
Self-control (also called "temperance") is a biblical virtue. It means to have control over our desires, emotions, imaginations, passions, and conduct.Self-control is something that can be lacked. In other words, it is something that one can lose or build up.3 Areas of Self-ControlBody - In eating, drinking, sleeping, exercise, speaking, action, indulgence of the senses, and sexual purity. (Prov.23:21; Luke 21:34; 1Thess.4:3,4,5; James 1:26; 3:1-12)Some rules: Don't overeat, don't oversleep, don't overspeak, don't overreact, observe cleanliness,...
God's Will
God's will is His desire, intent, and purpose.Five Aspects of God's Will1. God's Personal Will - The will of God that He accomplishes and which is uneffected by what any volitional beings do (Ps.115:3; Heb.6:17,18).2. God's Prescriptive Will - The will that God prescribes for us to follow (1Jn.2:17; 1Thess.4:3). This includes both God's mandatory and prohibitory will (things that He commands us to do and things that He prohibits us to do).3. God's Preferred Will - The will of God that prefers something over another (1Tim.2:1; Rom.12:2)4. God's...
Tempting God
To tempt the Lord means to try to seduce or provoke Him to fulfill the tempter's wishes, which is impossible (Exo.17:2). God can neither contradict Himself (2Tim.2:13) nor can He be tempted to sin (James 1:13). The consequence is that it only invites God's wrath on the tempter who has actually sinned by contradicting God (Deut.6:16). God said that the Israelites in the wilderness tempted God 10 times (Num.14:22).People can tempt the Lord by1. Contending and complaining instead of trusting God in difficult situations (Exo.17:1,2,3). This questions...
Persistence
"To persist" means "to continue firmly in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure." To persist means to keep moving ahead in spite of wind, fire, and rain. To persist means to continue, to be constant, to keep pressing forward. To persist means to never stop.Value of Persistence1. Persistence brings answers to prayer (Luke 18:1-8; 11:8; 1Thess.5:17; Acts 12:5)2. Persistence Inherits the promises of God (Heb. 6:12)3. Persistence has a sure reward (Gal.6:9)4. Persistence obtains the prize (Rev.12:11; 1Cor.9:25)Key Elements of Persistence1. Clear...
Education
Christian education is a good that is encouraged in the Bible. Seeking after knowledge and wisdom is considered to be a priority (Prov.2:1-3). Understanding and skill is praised (Exo.36:2; Prov.31:19). Solomon had knowledge of trees, insects, birds, and fish (1Ki.4:33). He was an accomplished poet, dramatist, and statesman as is evident from his writings. Ezra was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses (Ezra 7:6) and one who had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel (Ezra 7:10)....
Authority and Power
The Greek word for authority is exousia and the word for power is dunamis.Authority and power go together. Authority is backed by power. Authority uses and releases power.1. Jesus had authority over diseases; but, He healed by the power of God (Luke 5:17; Mark 5:30).2. Power is tangible; authority is official (Mark 5:30; Acts 4:31)3. One can be filled with power; but, authority is delegated (Acts 6:8)4. Faith releases the power of God (Eph.1:17,18,19; Mark 5:30; 9:23)However, power of authority in politics differs from power of authority in...
Authority of Jesus
1. He had all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt.28:18) a. He always had it as God (John 17:5) b. He had authority from God and gave it to His disciples (Matt.8:9-10) c. After His resurrection, He was glorified and given all authority as the Second Man (Matt.28:18)2. He had authority in teaching (Matt.7:29)3. He had authority over demons and the powers of darkness (Mark 1:27)4. He had authority over diseases (Matt.4:23)5. He had authority to forgive sins (Matt.9:6)6. He had authority over nature (Mark...
Authority of the Church
Those who have received Jesus in their lives have the authority to be called the children of God. They have God's authority given to them as sons of God.Anointing and authority are related. Anointing to an office gives authority of the office. In the OT, priests were anointed to intercede for and to teach people the difference between good and evil. The church has the priestly anointing for intercession and to uphold the word of God (1Pet 2:9; 1Tim.2:1-4; Phil.2:15,16). Kings were anointed to lead, govern, protect, and give justice to people....
Authority of the Devil
The devil has also some authority (exousia) in this world (Acts 26:18). There are authorities and rulers of darkness in the heavenly places (Eph.6:12), against whom the Church is engaged in a battle. The authority of the devil is called "power of darkness" (Col.1:13).These evil authorities have been disarmed by Jesus; so, they have no power over the church. (Col.2:15; Matt.16:18). The child of God is delivered from the authority of the devil and from the kingdom of darkness and is transferred to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18;...
Casting Out Demons
A believer has Christ-given authority to cast out demons (Matt. 10:1,8; Mk. 16:17). The source of this power is Christ alone.Christ cast them out by the Spirit of God (Mt.12:28); therefore, a believer should have a Spirit-filled walk (Gal.5:25).Prayer, fasting and total submission to God is important (Mk. 9:29; James 4:7).The believer should seek the gift of discerning the spirits (1Cor. 12:10).He should not talk with demons, as a general rule (Mk. 1:24). They are deceivers.The believer should cast them out in the Name of Jesus (Acts 16:18).Do...
Choir
The choir of Solomon's Temple was massive, elegant, very professional, dedicated, and provided strong leadership in worship through composing songs, music (various tunes as mentioned in the titles of the psalms). (2Chr.5:12; 1Chr.23:3; 1Chr.25:7), and leading the worship. It is understood that there were a total of 288 singers and 4000 musicians, each divided into 12 courses; so that, for each course there would be 12 singers and 160 accompanying musicians.In the New Testament, a massive temple-format is not seen. However, the worship service is...
Political Authority
Political authority is from God and political authorities are appointed by God (Rom.13:1). In fact, God calls one of the secular political authorities as the anointed of God (Isaiah 45:1). A political administrator is called as God's minister or servant (Rom.13: 4,6). Political authority in the world is usually secular (Matt.22:21; 1Cor.5:12,13). The Bible teaches us that when the just and righteous are in authority, people rejoice; but, when the wicked rule, the people groan (Prov.29:2). Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to...
Judgment
Divine judgment has two aspects:1. Temporal Judgment (Related to execution of judgment in this world) (Lev.10:1,2; Acts 28:4)2. Eternal Judgment (Related to execution of judgment on the Last Day) (Rev.20:12; Rom.14:10; 2Cor.5:10)Judgment grants eitherRewards or Punishment (Psa.58:10,11; Isa.40:10; Matt.16:27; 1Cor.3:14; 2Thess.1:8-9).Final JudgmentAll moral beings will be brought to judgment before God in the Last Day of the world.Jesus gave the signs that precede the coming of this Last Day. They are: an increase of apostasy, of false prophets,...
Church
The English word “church” comes from the Greek Kyriakon meaning “of the Lord”. The term used in the New Testament, however, is ekklesia (formed of ek, “out”, and kaleo, “called”), meaning the “called out”. Peter refers to the church as not a building made up of bricks or stones, not as a place or a physical structure, but as a people who are “called out” of darkness into God’s marvelous light. The church is the community of the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. She is also known as the Lamb’s wife (Rev. 21:9; Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19:7),...
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February
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- Were the Good Old Days Really Good? (Eccl 7:10)
- Tujko Miley Sari Mahima - Worship Song
- Perspectives
- Denial
- Anxiety
- Greed
- Faith
- Headship
- Taking the Lord's Name in Vain
- Local Church
- Authority of an Apostle
- Baptism
- Slavery
- Boredom
- Apostle
- Humans
- Casting Lots
- Glory of the Lord
- Lust
- I AM THAT I AM
- 14 Qualities of Friendship According to Jesus
- Self-Control
- God's Will
- Tempting God
- Persistence
- Education
- Authority and Power
- Authority of Jesus
- Authority of the Church
- Authority of the Devil
- Casting Out Demons
- Choir
- Political Authority
- Judgment
- Church
- Salvation
- Demons
- Angels
- Creation
- Holy Spirit
- Jesus Christ
- Trinity
- God
- Anointing
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- Lord's Supper
- Baptism (Water)
- Chastening
- Adoption
- Can we pray for God’s wrath on our enemies like Da...
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