My Bible reading this week included 1 Kings 3:1-15, which tells the story of the beginning of Solomon’s reign — and compromise. 1 Kings 3:1 tells of his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter, a compromise conforming to the customs of the day. 1 Kings 3:3 tells us that “Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes … Continue reading –>
Before we take this week’s lesson title (Conformity, Compromise and Crisis in Worship) as an excuse to proscribe forms of worship that we do not like, we need to consider worship in its wider context. There are three aspects of worship (Yes I am well aware that my classification is not the only one but … Continue reading –>
Friday morning I woke up, turned on my computer, looked at the news headlines and got a shock. One of the headlines read, “In Jerusalem, scholars trace Bible’s evolution.” The first two paragraphs were most unsettling: JERUSALEM (AP) — A dull-looking chart projected on the wall of a university office in Jerusalem displayed a revelation … Continue reading –>
We often think of God as the creator and the one who keeps us alive. We look at Him as the one who blesses us by supplying all our needs and many of our wants. But how often do we really think about the extent that God is involved with us? The writer of Hebrews … Continue reading –>
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21, NASB Today, most Christian denominations are hierarchical in structure with layers of clergy … Continue reading –>
“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.” Matthew 27:51-52, NIV Have you ever told someone that you were spiritual but not religious? Or … Continue reading –>
Sometimes we get confused about the sanctuary as described in Scripture. Is the earthly sanctuary of Old Testament times an exact replica of the heavenly sanctuary? If so, why? Do God and the angels need a visual representation of God’s holiness when they have the very presence of God Himself with them? Certainly the items … Continue reading –>
Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; … Continue reading –>
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the … Continue reading –>
“Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5, NIV The opening chapters of the book of Exodus represent a low point in the history of God’s people. From calling upon the name of the Lord in the early chapters of … Continue reading –>
