Understandably, there are many who are unaware of the difference between tithes and offerings. Many, even seasoned members are surprised to learn there is a difference. Tithe is not used for general use, like church maintenance, Sabbath School supplies and so on. The offerings cover those needs, while the tithe goes to pay the salaries of … Continue reading –>
The early Christian church did not build dedicated church buildings. They typically met in people’s homes or in public spaces, such as the temple forecourt. They often met in synagogues, because of their close connections with the Jews. The earliest known Christian church (second century), the Dura-Europos church in Syria was essentially a house church. … Continue reading –>
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV Driving along Bayshore Drive in Tampa, I noticed some huge houses. I wondered what it might be like to have a huge home. Then I asked myself, why would I need a house … Continue reading –>
The night my mother was dying, I made an emergency flight to get out to see her. Problem was, my connection flight, in Love Field in Dallas, arrived several hours late, due to a tornado in Amarillo, where it was coming in from. I arrived home in Tulsa at 1:30 in the morning. I had … Continue reading –>
In Luke 15:11-32 we read the story of the prodigal son who wastes his father’s money in wild living. However when he returns, the father kills the fattened calf and they all celebrate. This has me wondering if the father was just as prodigal (wasteful) as the son? I mean, wouldn’t it have made more … Continue reading –>
In 1 Samuel God wanted to be the king of Israel, but Israel wanted to be like the other nations and have their own king. Instead of being a peculiar people, they wanted to blend in with the world as much as possible. Even today, I hear Christian leaders boast how the church resembles worldly … Continue reading –>
Several years ago, an American restaurant chain had commercials suggesting the different reasons to go out to eat at their restaurant and celebrate. Maybe you found 50 cents in the pockets of some old jeans, or maybe you hit all the lights green on your way home from work. The lighthearted message of the commercials, … Continue reading –>
Thursday’s section of this week’s lesson asks, Is there someone to whom you need to show mercy, who perhaps doesn’t deserve it? Why not show this person that mercy, no matter how hard that might be to do? Isn’t that what Jesus has done for us? After running from God, Jonah had given up on … Continue reading –>
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV Romans 9 is not about Jacob or Esau being predestined for salvation or not. It is about the role they were to play. Some … Continue reading –>
A while back, I was a member of a church that joined other community churches of various denominations in a social justice group. The idea was good. They wanted to help homeless people get cell phones, so they could leave a number on job applications. They wanted buses running later at night for people who … Continue reading –>
