Our Lord taught tremendous lessons throughout His earthly ministry. Some of His greatest lessons were taught by using parables. A parable has been described by some as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” The word “parable” comes from the Greek parabole, which means, “a similitude, fictitious narrative” (Strong’s). W.E. Vine defines a parable as “a placing beside, to throw down beside, to compare.” So, a parable is a fictitious story that would liken or describe a reality. A parable is a teaching tool that helps to paint a picture in the minds of the ones being taught. Jesus used parables often to teach those who would hear Him. Some have stated that 30% to 33% of our Lord’s teaching was done in parables. Let’s consider this short but powerful parable found in Matthew 13:47-50. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but they cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” The Kingdom of Heaven(Church) Is Like this Net! The kingdom (church) is likened to a net itself as well as to the contents. A net is an instrument or a tool used

The statement above (or one similar to it) has perhaps been communicated by most everyone at one time or another. An expectation was placed upon us that may have been too high to attain, and so we fell short. Then, the giver of the task was upset or disappointed, and so we respond with, “What do you expect from me?” To “expect” means to, “think or believe fully that something will come to be or happen,” “to look forward with reason or confidence.” Some synonyms are “to anticipate, require or assume.” We know that not everything we expect comes to be or happens. Not everything we expect becomes a reality. Yet, this does not mean that there should never be expectations! The apostle Paul wrote to Titus to encourage him, to direct him and also to tell him what was expected of him. As a preacher or proclaimer of God’s Word (or as a Christian), there are expectations. Let’s consider Paul’s instruction to Titus in the second chapter of his short letter. Paul began his letter with a common greeting, introducing himself as the writer and also showing the love and personal relationship he had with Titus, “my own son in the common faith” (1:4). Paul then explained the purpose of Titus being left in Crete. It was not for a vacation or to have some alone time, it was to “set in order things that were lacking” among them, to “ordain [designate, appoint] elders in every city [church or congregation]”(v5). Paul then gave some of the

Perhaps none of us would claim to have the strongest faith or conviction. There are times and circumstances that may test the level or strength of our faith. I know that my faith is much stronger than when I was a babe in Christ, but does it continue to grow and increase as it should? Ever think, “If I could have literally walked with Jesus my faith or conviction would have been so strong!” Just think of the many miracles we would have witnessed with our own eyes! Think of the joy that we would have felt as our ears took in His infinite wisdom! If we could have lived and walked with Jesus, how could our faith or conviction have been anything but strong? And yet, in Matthew’s account of the Gospel, we find four times where Jesus condemned the faith of His apostles and disciples, those whose faith should have been the strongest. First in Matthew 6:30. In the context of God’s providential care (caring for the things needful for the body), Jesus said to His apostles, “If God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Second in Matthew 8:26. When it came to God’s protection over the elements of the world, as Jesus slept in a boat with His disciples, a storm came and they feared for their lives. Jesus was woken, and their concerns

Throughout the Bible we see many conditional statements or sentences where conditions and consequences or results are given. This is known as a dependence clause that states a condition (protasis), and the main clause stating the consequence or result (apodosis). Conditional statements are made all the time. We make them numerous times, perhaps even every day! “Clean your room and I’ll take you to the mall.” “Get all your work done and I’ll buy lunch.” The Proverbs are full of conditional statements. In this brief article, I want to consider Proverbs 2. First, let’s look at the conditional statement (protasis). A Plea to Receive God’s Word “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding” (verses 1-2). We are well aware that there are different ways to receive something. The word used here in the Greek (laqach) means more than just to hear; it means “to take in, reserve or seize” (Strong’s). Something may be offered to us, and we may or may not respond by taking it or seizing the opportunity to have or possess it. The plea here from the giver is for his offering to be received, to be brought in or to be accepted. Notice the way to receive or take in words. They first enter the ear, and then, they enter the heart (verse 2). The Proverbs (being Inspired by the Holy Spirit of God) speaks

It has always impressed me how people can run for miles and miles without stopping. What has impressed me more is why any would want to do this. I know that exercise is needful and beneficial for good health, but come on – miles of running? It’s call “Long Distance Running”or “Endurance Running.” I like the latter, because it explains or defines better what it really is or takes to do. Endurance according to Webster is, “The ability to do something difficult for a long time; to deal with pain or suffering that continues for a long time, the quality of continuing for a long time.” When we consider the definitions for endurance, we might get a better idea what it takes to run the Christian race that is set before every Christian. It takes understanding that one must cross the finish line to receive the prize, and that takes great endurance! Paul told the Corinthian Christians in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a

Christians are called to be many things. As followers of Jesus the Christ, Christians are to be distinctly different than those that choose not to follow Him. People of God are called to be a different quality than people of the world. “Quality” according to Merriam-Webster is, “how good or bad something is: a characteristic or feature that someone or something has: something that can be noticed as a part of a person or thing: a high level of value or excellence to be many things.” Therefore, Christians (like everyone else) are recognized by their qualities, whether good or bad. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus told those listening to Him that they were to be the salt and light of the world. Let’s look a little deeper into this matter. Those that Follow Jesus Areto be the Salt of the Earth Salt has a number of qualities. The Lord’s figurative usage of salt of His followers could have many applications. Salt is a product of the water as well as of the land. The majority of the salt we harvest from water is used for food, while the salt taken from the ground is mostly used for utility reasons, such as melting snow and ice from roadways. Salt makes up about 3.5% of ocean and sea water in the world. The Dead Sea (also called the Salt Sea) is different. Like a few other bodies of water, the Dead Sea has a tremendous amount of salt in it. The salinity is 34.2% making

The 23rd Psalm is perhaps the most treasured, well known and most recited Psalm of all. Millions have committed it to memory. It is a Psalm that calms, a Psalm that strengthens the soul of the downtrodden, and a Psalm that refreshes and revives the heart when things seem to be out of control. We need to have a better understanding of the care, strength, comfort, and provisions our God and Shepherd offers to all. It’s likely that most of you are aware of all the wonderful things God provides, but I want us as individual Christians to take our understanding to another level. Let’s come out of our comfort zones and commit to bring others to our Great Shepherd. As we consider this great Psalm, let us do so with an appreciation for being His lambs with a stronger desire to bring more into the fold. My Shepherd Continually Cares for Me“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” The Lord is my shepherd, which means that it’s a very personal relationship. Jesus said in John 10:14-15; 27-28, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep…My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Jesus said that He is the “good” shepherd in

It’s no secret that you and I influence others. We have a “power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways” (Webster) upon others and they on us! When Jesus said to His disciples “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod” (Mark 8:15), He was giving a warning of the evil influence they desired to have upon them. When Paul told the Christians in Corinth that just a “little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7), he was not teaching them to make bread, but he was warning them to be careful not to let “sin” influence or permeate the church; they had not been dealing with sin correctly. When God through Hosea corrected the children of Israel for following men rather than God, He said, “My children are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee” (Hosea 4:6). Then, a few verses later (v. 9), He said, “like people like priests.” The People were following the ways of the priests, showing or displaying the influence they (the priests) had on the people. Influence can be for good, but many tend to really notice or take note of it when the influence or effects thereof are not so good. God Expects His Children to Be a Good Influence on Others A good influence begins with a good name or reputation. Solomon stated in Proverbs 22:1 that “a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving

How many times are we guilty of saying, “I really need to take time to…” Most of the time when these words are said it’s from a good and honest heart with very good intentions to fulfill the desire. Yet, too often the world has a way of diminishing many important desires or things needing attention. Having a mind to “take time” to accomplish things does not always find us making the time to do them. Time is one of those things that we cannot get back or purchase more of it. The supply of time may be different for each of us, but the same holds true for all; time is limited! It has been said, “Life [or time] is like a coin, you can spend it any way you want, but you can only spend it once.” There is a wonderful song we sing written by William D. Longstaff titled, “Take Time to be Holy.” This song speaks of the importance of taking the time needed to live a life that is not only pleasing to God but also rewarding for the believer as well. Seeing that we do not always “take” time to be holy, let us do our best to “make” time to be holy! Let’s consider the stanzas of this song and make physical and spiritual application. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,Forgetting in

The recipients of the inspired letter to the Hebrews were encouraged to keep their focus and attention upon “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2). This comment lies in the shadow of the previous chapter, considered or titled by many as the “Inspired Hall of Fame” or “Heroes of Faith.” We find those people of God possessed such a tremendous faith in God that it strengthened them to do great things for Him. Most of us have been involved in activities where there was an audience. In the same way, the writer to the Hebrews says in the verses following the list of those great people of faith, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Before one can run the race that is set before him with any hope of finishing, he must first take off those things that weigh him down. Weights are good to train and strengthen, but when one desires to be most successful, the weights must come off. When a baseball player practices his swing, a weight (donut) is placed on the bat to give it more weight, and then when he goes to bat, the weight is taken off to enable him to swing easier and more powerfully. The same holds true for those seeking

In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul instructed the church to live a godly life and not to allow former ways to creep back into their lives. Paul said in verses 17-27: This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. The devil has no power over us except the power we give him. Make no mistake about it, if you give the devil an inch, he’ll take as much as he can. Everyone has the responsibility to choose whom he will serve in

This writer has long loved the good and honest hearts of God’s people that recognize their shortcomings and have the strength and desire to open up and ask the pressing questions that trouble the soul. Some time ago, I was asked a question that went something like this, “How can I get the fire back I once had? How can I get motivated to be the Christian I know I need to be?” Both of these are very important questions that many of us may have asked hoping to receive an answer that would solve the problem or dilemma. Though the answers could be many, I believe that it is as basic as this: Get plugged in and stay plugged in. There are times when we see such a fire in the bellies of new Christians. Too many times, this fire is quickly snuffed out because of many reasons. How can Christians stay “plugged in” once they have obeyed the Gospel and have entered into the family of God? Consider these brief suggestions. Get plugged into the Bible and Bible class. The apostle Paul told Timothy to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). How in the world can we know the Word of God if we are negligent when it comes to a study of His Divine Truth? A wonderful way to study the Bible is to gather together with those of like

Some may wonder what all the fuss is about. Others may not be interested in it at all. Still, some might want to understand better and possibly may even read a little to educate themselves. Growing up, I was always strongly “encouraged” to have respect for those who were older. I can still hear my mother’s voice telling me, “Respect your elders!” As we get older, we can try to do all within our power to slow down the aging process, but ultimately the signs of time spent in the physical body will be clearly recognizable. One of the ways we can distinguish the older from younger is the shade of their hair. While many ladies may take advantage of hair coloring products, most men will allow the shades of gray to gradually invade their head until there is no more hair to consume. For some, gray hair comes at a very young age and may not be a sign of their maturity or age at all, but for most, the shades of gray change with the years until one is considered a senior or “seasoned” citizen. As we study the very important subject of the leadership of the church or the God-given office of elders, it is imperative and vital to the church that both men and women take special notice of their lives and goals of serving the Lord in His church. The proverb writer penned, “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found

As I worked from my home office, something outside caught the corner of my eye. I grabbed my glasses to get a better look and saw a beautiful red fox crossing my front yard. As I watched it travel, I noticed that there was something terribly wrong. I could see that its right front leg had been very badly hurt. So much so, that the bottom half was just dangling, and I noticed a long white bone protruding from the top part of its leg. I do not know what caused this terrible loss, but I do know that it affected the fox’s mobility. As I continued to keep an eye on the fox as it found rest in my back yard, it would drink from the brook and just wade in the cool water for a while, and then lie down on the grassy bank, licking his wounds for a while. Then, it took a nap. About an hour later, it had continued on its journey, limping as it traveled, leg still hanging and no doubt in great pain. The title of this article speaks of the strength and confidence one will have when he walks or lives as God directs. The whole idea of a foot “being taken” is the very real probability of being led astray or off course from the safety of God’s way to the dangers of the devil’s way (the way of the world). Just a few verses prior to our title verse, the

Fault finding is a pastime that is as old as it is distasteful. Often is the case when people just want to find something wrong with another to the point of dreaming up crimes or allegations to convict. As the youngest of the family, this writer can relate to some degree as to the possible motives one might have to do this. Yet, when it comes to doing another harm or injury, there is no good or acceptable reason or motive. After our Lord was betrayed by Judas in a Garden where He often found peace, tranquility and comfort (John 18:2) and denied by Peter, Jesus was then brought before Pilate for questioning. Pilate was the Procurator or Governor of Judea for about ten years (26-36 according to Josephus, Ant, XVIII, IV, 2). It was before Pilate that our Lord was brought because of the desire of the Jews to put Him to death. It was not permissible for the Jews to put one to death without the consent of Rome, so Pilate was used to speed things along. It was not because Pilate was loved or respected by the Jews, he was not. “Pilate never became popular with the Jews. He seemed to be insensitive to their religious convictions and stubborn in the pursuit of his policies” (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary). In spite of their distain for Pilate, the Jews had a goal in mind, and they sought to accomplish it – and accomplish it they did! In John 18:29-31, Pilate

Throughout our lives, there have been things that have touched us in ways that would move us to action. Some things would cause such a stir within that we would give of ourselves, our means even our hearts having a strong and sincere compassion. Though misleading, deception, lies (however one chooses to dress up sinful behavior) have caused the hearts of many to harden, there are still times (even for them) that brings a tear or stillness inside that brings us closer to the way Jesus was so many times with those around Him. Jesus emptied Himself and put on flesh and lived with a fleshly body like you and me (Philippians 2:7ff). Though He lived a sinless life, He “was in all points tempted like as we are…” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus knows all about our struggles, and He understands and is moved when we hurt and when we have need. As our Lord walked about this world, seeking and saving the lost, He would often be “moved with compassion.” Our Lord is a compassionate Lord. Our understanding of compassion is often different from what it ought to be. The word most often translated as our English word compassion is a word that means “to have the bowels yearn, feel sympathy, to pity” (according to James Strong). The “bowels” of man is a deep, inward affection. It is that feeling deep inside that moves us to action. As Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38), He often had multitudes of