The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Genesis 3:1 NLT Twenty-nine years later, there are still some things I remember from my Composition … Continue reading –>
There are probably plenty of reasons why God waited till He had created everything else, before He created man. Obviously the environment was not inhabitable for mankind earlier, but I would like to suggest another reason. If man had been around while God was creating the earth, he might have come up with the notion … Continue reading –>
I’ve heard that the wise old owls at the American Psychiatric Association who revamp the diagnostic manual every ten years have considered a diagnosis of “perfectionism.” What do you think? So far the owls believe that 301.4, obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD, not to be confused with OCD, [or CDO if you want the letters … Continue reading –>
Happy New Year! I don’t do resolutions. I’ve observed two things—that humans have an indefatigable drive to fix themselves, and that it is utterly futile and fruitless. The only good that comes from our self-fixing is that some of us finally learn it’s impossible. Observe every world religion other than the faith of Jesus. Each … Continue reading –>
“In the typical service the high priest, having made the atonement for Israel, came forth and blessed the congregation. So Christ, at the close of His work as mediator, will appear, ‘without sin unto salvation’ (Hebrews 9:28), to bless His waiting people with eternal life. As the priest, in removing the sins from the sanctuary, … Continue reading –>
I love to think of those first days in Heaven. I try to imagine the wonder of seeing my Bible heroes visiting with people of every age. It will be so exciting to have the opportunity to go back over our earthly experiences with our guardian angels. That’s all going to be amazing and, I … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 21:3. In what way will this stupendous fact alter the life experiences of the inhabitants of the new earth? Perhaps there isn’t another awe-inspiring vision throughout the Bible comparable to the one that John the Revelator describes here; the new earth will not only be home to human creatures but also to God. The … Continue reading –>
Revelation 20 ends with the elimination of Satan and his hosts. Revelation 21 opens with a vision of a new heaven and a new earth. Revelation 21:1-5 carries the promise that God is making all things new. In what ways does this reflect the Genesis creation account? (Genesis 1-2). What are the differences? The word translated as … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 20:7-9. What event marks the close of the millennium, and what opportunity does it provide Satan? Reversal of the circumstances of Satan marks his being ‘released’. This event is linked with the resurrection of the rest of the dead who “did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (vs. 5, NKJV). The phrase … Continue reading –>
“ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’ ” ( Revelation 21:4, NKJV). As I read the key verse in this week’s SS lesson, I pause and ask … Continue reading –>
