“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” Revelation 12:1, NIV Revelation’s beautiful image of the church is easy to love. It is the image God shares with the Apostle John on the island of Patmos. God loves His … Continue reading –>
“‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” Luke 10:36-37, NIV In the popular media, most problems seem to be solved by some … Continue reading –>
A chance encounter or divine appointment? You be the judge. Yesterday morning I woke up on my day off. Not sure how I wanted to spend it, I went to deliver some baptismal robes to a nearby church which needed them for Sabbath. When I stopped by my church to pick them up, my pastor … Continue reading –>
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 Timothy 3:12, NIV When I awake each morning, I can enter my den and open my Bible for morning Bible study with nary a thought that anything should prevent me from enjoying this time in the Word. I … Continue reading –>
Years before ever becoming, or even thinking about becoming a Bible Worker myself, I found myself on a church softball team, captained by the new local Bible Worker. I failed to eat breakfast before running off to play. Not too bright. In the middle of the game, I began to get dizzy and lightheaded. My … Continue reading –>
“From Paul’s day to the present time, God by His Holy Spirit has been calling after the Jew as well as the Gentile. ‘There is no respect of persons with God,’ declared Paul. The apostle regarded himself as ‘debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians,’ as well as to the Jews; but he … Continue reading –>
According to Acts 17:1-4, 12, what classes of people made up the core of the Thessalonian church plant? A part of Paul’s missionary strategy was “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16, ESV). During Paul’s ministry, the Jews regularly received the first opportunity to hear and accept the gospel. And the … Continue reading –>
“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, NIV A Parable Loosely Based on … Continue reading –>
“All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.” Mark 4:28, NIV An old story tells of a passerby admiring another man’s beautiful garden. Looking over the beautiful blooms, he remarked that God had certainly produced a wonderful garden, blessed with so many beautiful flowers. … Continue reading –>
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15, NIV A paradox pertaining to the modern Christian church is that many want to evaluate the various ministries and activities of the church, but … Continue reading –>
“The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in His earthly ministry, prayed much to His Father. He was frequently bowed all night in prayer. . . . The Mount of Olives was the favorite resort of the Son of God for His devotions.” (Ellen White, Amazing Grace, p. 167) Jesus had His favorite place to meet … Continue reading –>
And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known. Mark 3:11-12 Many people, even in our own ranks, accuse Seventh-day Adventists of being dishonest, when we cover up our church sign when … Continue reading –>
Do you know what a “wall flower” is? Someone, at a party who spends most of his or her time standing and watching, rather than participating. In the online world, “lurkers” are the folks who go into chat rooms or on discussion boards on the internet and just read what everybody was talking about, but … Continue reading –>
“Mel, I’m going to throw these bossy lesson guides into the trash. They aren’t helping me a bit!” “What? That’s a ridiculous thing for a Sabbath school teacher to say. I think these lessons are great.” “But they’re written like a set of management lessons to give to managers at work.” ”Except the work is on a … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for Equipping for Evangelism and Witnessing May 23, 2012] 1. Good deeds. If all that is good is of God, what do you make of the statement in the quarterly that good deeds can be performed apart from Jesus Christ? Is that possible? What about equipping someone else for a witnessing or evangelistic program? … Continue reading –>