Bloody River

Almost everyone is familiar with the account of God turning the Nile waters into blood. God did this to show Pharaoh that he was not as powerful as God. He also did it to show that Israel’s God was more powerful than the false Egyptian gods. There have been theologians and atheists who have tried to convince believers that God really did not turn the Nile into blood. They say this was simply the yearly occurrence when the waters of the Nile turn red, but they are wrong. The Nile begins to rise about the end of June. It attains its highest point near the end of September. When it first starts rising, it takes on a greenish color and tastes bad. The waters soon turn red in color and stay this way for three or more weeks. The miracle lasted only seven days. While it is red, it is healthy to drink. The fish do not die when it is red. The river does not stink when it is red. The miracle occurred immediately and did not take days or weeks to develop. All of this demonstrates that God indeed performed a miracle on the Nile River through Moses I am glad that God gave us the Bible so that we can learn about His interaction with man throughout history. I am glad that God loves us. I know you are glad too. Keep reading your Bible. Obey God, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask …

Guarding Your Dreams

“My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you” (Proverbs 6:20-22 NKJV). Many people believe there is no way to control what they dream. While the mind does play funny tricks when a person is asleep, the mind cannot dream things that are not in the mind. The mind can put things together in a very strange way when one is asleep, but what one dreams is still dependent on what is in the mind. This text tells us that if we keep God’s law and continually think on God’s Word, then our actions in life are led by it. The text even says that it will guard and keep watch over us when we are asleep. This means that proper things in our minds will guard against improper things. It is very important that we put the right things in our minds. Obviously, we will hear and see things when we are awake that we do not want to see or hear. We cannot help it when that happens. No matter how hard we try, this will happen. Yet, if we are trying as hard as we can to study and obey God’s Word, He promises us that through His Word, He will guard us while we are asleep. …

Healthy Words

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9). Paul told Titus that he should hold fast to the faithful Word – the Gospel – that Paul had taught him. By doing this, Titus would be able to use sound doctrine to convince and exhort others, particularly in this verse, those causing trouble. The word “sound” comes from the Greek word from which we get “hygiene.” “Hygiene” means healthy, for good or wholesome. By knowing and using the Gospel, Titus would bring spiritual health to those he taught. In 1 Timothy 6:3, Paul used the same Greek word, and it is translated as “wholesome.” Paul said that those who will not acknowledge wholesome teaching are proud and really do not know anything. They end up arguing about anything and everything, intent on causing trouble and hoping to gain from the situation. Titus was told to speak those things that represent healthy doctrine (Titus 2:1). In Proverbs 3:8, we are told that fearing the Lord and using His wisdom (His words) will be healthy – “health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Not only will obeying God make us spiritually healthy, but it will encourage physical health in many ways. Proverbs 4:22 reads, “For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” In this verse, the Hebrew word for “health” means “heal, cure or …

The Adopted Slave

It was rare for a Roman citizen to adopt a slave, but it was done from time to time. In most instances, it was because the man had no children and thus had no heir. By adopting a slave, the man had an heir. The adoption was handled in two stages. First, all ties between the slave and his father were completely severed, the destruction of the potestas. The slave was to no longer have any familial connection with his father. The second stage was making the Roman man the father, the paterfamilias. The slave agreed to be completely answerable to the Roman. He was now to be under his rule. All that the slave owned now became the property of the new Roman father. All that the slave had was now under his control. The authority of the Roman was now absolute over the adopted son. However, the adopted son also became heir to what the Roman owned; he became a free citizen and a member of the kingdom. For the transaction to be legally formalized, the presence of seven reputable witnesses was required. If necessary, their testimony would refute any challenge to the adoption after the father’s death. When one becomes a Christian, one becomes an adopted child of God (Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:5). People go from being the slaves and children of Satan to being the adopted children of God. A person’s ties and relationship to Satan and sin are severed. The person agrees to acknowledge that Christ owns …

Chief of Sinners

There are individuals that say they cannot obey Christ. They do not say it because they do not think they could live right. They say it because they do not think the Lord will accept them. They think they are so bad, or have done so many bad things, that God will not forgive them. Paul addressed this argument in 1 Timothy 1. In verse fifteen, Paul said that he was the chief sinner. Paul had done many very bad things. He had tortured Christians. He had blasphemed Christ. He had killed Christians. He had made it his goal to destroy Christianity by killing every Christian or making every Christian turn away from Christ. Paul truly hated Christians. He hated Christ. He did not believe that Christ was the Son of God. However, in 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul says, “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” Paul said he was converted by Christ so that no one could ever again use the argument, “I am too bad to be forgiven.” What a marvelous Savior we have. He lived on earth as a man. He allowed Himself to be put through terrible agony and died on the cross. He was raised and went to heaven. Then, He waited for the right time to appear to Saul on the road to Damascus. Saul went into Damascus and …

The God of All Comfort

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). Everyone needs comforting. Everyone has periods of sadness. Everyone experiences troubles in life. Without comfort, some things would seem insurmountable (this word means that it would be impossible to overcome the problem or situation). God created the world. He created humans. He knows exactly what we need. He knows best how to comfort us. We can pray to Him and ask for His help. He will providentially help every one of us as He sees best. Every person will sin. Sin separates us from God, but God made a way for us to be cleaned of our sins – the scheme of redemption or plan of salvation. It is by obeying the scheme of redemption that we gain comfort from our sins and shortcomings. We learn the scheme of redemption from the Scriptures. We also learn about great people in the past who obeyed God and overcame their sins and shortcomings. By learning about them, and obeying like they obeyed, we gain comfort. “For whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Notice that in our first verse, God gives all comfort. If we look to Him, we can have that comfort. We cannot ignore God or His Word and have that comfort. To gain His comfort, we must do …

Are you a Thomas?

Thomas was one of the twelve apostles. Thomas followed Jesus during His ministry on earth and witnessed many miracles. There are several secular traditions about Thomas. It is stated that he was a carpenter like Jesus. It is stated that he died in India. One tradition states that he was Jesus’ brother. The Bible does not tell us any of these things. However, the Bible does tell us a few things about Thomas. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, Jesus was eating with the disciples. Jesus told them that He was going to prepare a place for them. He told them they know the way He was going. Thomas was the one who replied that they do not know the way. Thomas was not scared to admit that he did not know. He did not hesitate to ask how they could know. All of us should be willing to ask that question. How can we know the way to where Jesus went? Jesus replied that He is the way. If we follow Jesus, then we can be where He is. We can thank Thomas for asking that very important question. After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to the apostles. However, Thomas was not there. Later, the others told Thomas that Jesus was alive. Thomas would not take their word for it (although he should have). He wanted evidence. He said he would believe if he saw Jesus and His scars in person. About a week later, Jesus appeared to Thomas. …

Are You Getting Fat?

I read a mission report from Africa recently. In some parts of Africa, it is a compliment to tell someone that he or she is getting fat. You are seen as being rich if you are fat. It means you have enough food to feed yourself and gain weight. In America, it would not be considered nice to tell someone that he or she is getting fat. A person would probably consider it an insult. As a follower of God, one should desire to get fat, but the fatness I am talking about is spiritual fatness. If a person is diligent in following God and studying His Word, he is considered becoming fat by God. If a person is busy doing the works of God, he is considered growing fat by God. Consider the following Scriptures. Study your Bible. Learn all you can from it. Obey God. Do all you can to get fat. Encourage others to get fat, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Are you a Fop?

Noah Webster, in his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, defined fop as “a vain man of weak understanding and much ostentation; one whose ambition is to gain admiration by showy dress and pertness.” There are some today who are fops. Some people cannot resist buying the newest clothes fashions. They must have the best suits or the best dresses. They do not care about things of real importance. They only care about putting on a show with what they wear. Unfortunately, there are fops who attend church. These individuals do not really care about the church or Christ. They rarely do anything for the cause of Christ. Some of them choose to only attend services once on Sunday. They may not show up for midweek Bible study. They rarely study their Bibles. These individuals rarely give to good causes. Yet, these individuals wear fine clothes when they show up for worship. They have on a nice dress or a very nice suit. They have their fine watches and jewelry on so that others may see. Fops are weak in spiritual understanding and are not interested in growing in knowledge and understanding. Fops attend worship simply as a show. There is nothing wrong with having nice clothes and fine jewelry. However, one must desire spiritual things more. First Peter 3:3-4 tells women that it is the “hidden man of the heart” which is most important. Peter says it is not the outward appearance of jewelry and of clothes that God …

Broken Heart

“Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalm 69:20). David was under extreme emotional stress. All the verses in Psalm 69 leading up to the verse above declare the pressures and emotions that David felt. He felt all alone. He had looked for someone to help and support him, but found no one. Even his own people were against him. He then stated that this reproach had broken his heart and that he was full of heaviness. While David was probably speaking of his emotional or spiritual heart, it is possible that he was also referring to his physical heart. There is a rare condition known as Takotsubo syndrome. This is a condition of the heart muscle caused by severe emotional stress. The majority of cases are in women, but it does occur in men. In Takotsubo syndrome, the lower left part of the heart becomes stunned. The tip of the left ventricle will balloon outwards instead of contracting properly. The upper part of the ventricle does not work well either. This causes the left ventricle to look like the octopus traps that the Japanese use. The word for that trap is “takotsubo.” Takotsubo syndrome is not permanent. It can be deadly if not diagnosed. If treated properly (little medical intervention is needed other than to support the heart function), the heart has a complete recovery. This …

Anna, the Prophetess

Anna has a very brief mention in the Bible in Luke 2:36-38. She met Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus in the Temple. Jesus’ parents had brought Him to the Temple for the proper sacrifice for a son. Anna was 84-years-old. Some commentators think her age has symbolic significance. In Jewish numerology, seven represents perfection and twelve represents completeness. Seven times twelve is eighty-four. Thus, some say she has lived a complete life in service to the perfect God. Our text does say that she did not depart from the Temple. This does not mean that she lived in the Temple, but that she was always there when appropriate for worship, service and meditation. She probably had some service in the Women’s Court since she is known as a prophetess. Stating her age also lets us know one can never get too old to serve God. The mention of Anna’s prophecy is important. Women were not looked upon as very important in first century culture. Yet, Anna is now known throughout history by being mentioned as telling others about Jesus. Anna’s name means “grace.” How appropriate, since she gave thanks to God for the redemption that He was bringing through Jesus. Luke gave specific names of Anna’s lineage. It must be important since there is so little told us about her. Her father’s name, Phanuel, means “the face of God.” Later, when the disciples desired to see the Father, Jesus told them that they had seen the Father through Him. It …

Cowards to Courageous Disciples

When Jesus was arrested, many of those who had been closest to him fled (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). During that night, Peter, when questioned, denied that he knew Jesus (John 18:15-27; Mark 14:66-72). After the crucifixion, we are told that the disciples were in an upper room behind locked doors (John 20:19). Those who had been closest to Jesus, and had been with him through some very difficult times, became cowards at the critical time. They were neither brave enough to stand against the Jewish leaders nor against the Romans. [The apostle Peter was willing to die fighting for Christ in the Garden (John 18:10), but he was unprepared at that time to live for Christ in the face of peril. ~ Editor] However, something happened within a few days. Those that had fled and had been hiding became courageous. They were willing to go to prison for preaching about Jesus. They were willing to die for telling others about Christ. What happened to change their minds? Jesus rose from the dead and spent time with them. They were able to talk with Him, touch Him and eat with Him. They knew for a fact that He was alive again. They could remember things that He had foretold and knew that He had told the truth. They were convinced that He was indeed the Son of God. Only His rising from the dead and appearing to them could have caused such a marvelous change in their attitude. This is another …

Every Man His Censer

God, in Ezekiel 8, gave Ezekiel several visions about the evil in which the Israelites were involved. In verses 10-11, Ezekiel saw elders of the Israelites worshipping false gods. They were worshipping every kind of animal and creeping thing. These men were seen with censers in their hands. These censers held incense that was burned to the gods. In Chapter 7, God made reference to a rod that had blossomed. This rod was a rod of violence and wickedness. This was to remind the Israelites about the rod of Aaron being chosen by God in Numbers 17. That was done because of Korah and others wanted to be important like Moses and Aaron. The censers here are very possibly mentioned as another reminder of Korah. God had told all those aligned with Korah to bring a censer to the Tabernacle. Aaron and Moses were to bring their censers as well. God killed Korah and his family. He killed with fire the 250 that had their censers. He then had those censers made into broad plates to cover the altar of God. This was supposed to be a warning and a reminder to the Israelites that no one except the priests was to approach God in the Tabernacle to offer incense. In Ezekiel 8, not only were non-priests offering incense on censers, but they were offering the incense to false gods. They were compounding their sins. This made God very angry. God was going to punish Israel for wickedness. Today, God …

They Made Him Depart

Can you imagine being alive at the time Christ lived? Can you imagine being able to see Jesus perform a miracle? Can you imagine being able to hear Him preach and teach? I think it would have been wonderful, but there were some people who did not want Jesus around them. In Matthew 8:28-9:1, we read about Jesus going into the land of the Gergesenes. When He arrived, He was met by two individuals possessed by devils. Jesus sent the devils into a herd of pigs. The pigs, then, ran into the waters and died. The people of the nearby city came out to Jesus when they heard what He had done. However, they did not come in joy to see the man who had done the miracle. They did not come to listen to Him teach. They did not come to welcome Him to their city. Instead, they came to tell Him to “depart out of their coasts.” They did not want to have anything to do with Him. In verse one of chapter nine, we read that Jesus entered a ship and “passed over” to his own city. How terrible that Jesus passed over these people, but He did it because they did not want Him. They told Him to depart, and He did so. Jesus does not force Himself on anyone. He will not come into someone’s life if he or she does not want Him. He does not surprise anyone today and just take over one’s …

The Sardonyx

In Revelation 21: 19-20 we read about the precious stones that decorated the foundation of the walls of the heavenly city. The fifth stone is sardonyx. This stone consisted of layers of light colored chalcedony alternating with layers of another stone, sard. At least three layers are needed to make a true sardonyx, black, white and red. The ancients believed that the black symbolized humility. They thought that the white represented chastity, and they considered the red to represent modesty or martyrdom. God expects his servants, Christians, to have humility. Christians are to have lowliness of mind. They are not to think too highly of themselves. Christ is the perfect example of humility. He was willing to leave heaven and come to earth to die for all men. The followers of God are also to be chaste or pure. They are to avoid all things evil. Again, Christ is the perfect example of a pure individual. He never sinned. Christians are to follow His example. Members of the Lord’s church are to be modest in clothing and behavior. They are to cover their bodies to prevent others from being tempted. They are to keep themselves from acting in a sinful manner. Members of the heavenly Jerusalem are to be ready to die for the cause of Christ. A martyr is one who dies because he is a Christian. Christians are to live as servants of God no matter if it means they will be put to death. I do not …

Bought with a Price

There was a common ritual in much of the Roman and Greek world during the first century. It was one of the ways that a slave could be set free. A master would take his slave to a temple. There he would sell the slave to a god. The temple priests would give the master the price of the slave from the temple treasury. The slave became the property of the god, but he was not a slave of the god. Instead he was considered a protégé of the god. This meant that he was to live the rest of his life in service to the god. He could never be made a slave to man again. This pagan ritual is properly used as a reference point by Paul in 1 Corinthians. In 6:19-20, we read, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” If pagan slaves were willing to live the rest of their lives for a make-believe god after being bought, should not Christians willingly live their lives for God after being bought with the price of Jesus’ blood? The pagan slave was considered free from slavery. How much more should a Christian be thankful for being set free from the slavery of sin? In 7:23, Paul …

Shaking the Olive Tree

The olive was a very important part of the people of Bible times. It grows on trees. The tree is a dusty, silvery gray. A grove of olive trees appears as a clump of willows or silver birches in foliage. The dark stems shine through the branches, and the light red soil in which it many times grows gives it a warm tone. The tree is considered beautiful to the Middle Eastern people. The tree bears fruit after it is seven years old and reaches its mature, full bearing strength after fourteen years. It is fruitful every other year. Each year it will yield between twelve and twenty gallons of oil. The berries are gathered in October, about the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. The tree at maturity is about twenty feet high. It is easily climbed by those harvesting the berry. Many times the branches are beaten from the ground with a long stripped palm branch. Much of the time, berries remained at the very ends of some branches and at the very top of the tree. After the appointed harvest day, anyone was free to glean these leftover berries (Deuteronomy 24:20). The poor were able to obtain olives at this time. In Isaiah 17:6, we read, “Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the Lord God of Israel.” …

Jewels of God

“And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:17). Verse sixteen of Malachi chapter three says that those that fear the Lord and think on His name have their names written in a book. It also says that these individuals speak often with one another. Those that love God will desire to have contact with one another. There is a special bond between followers of God. The Hebrew word translated “jewels” is more often translated “peculiar,” “treasures” or “special.” The word includes the sense of a protected treasure. Israel is called God’s peculiar treasure in Psalm 135:4. In Deuteronomy 7:6, Israel is called God’s special people. In Exodus 19, God said that if they would keep His covenant and obey Him, that they would be His peculiar treasure. So, those that obey God and follow His commands, those that fear the Lord and think on his name and those that keep close contact with other disciples of God are the jewels of God. The Lord sets these people apart as a special and peculiar treasure to Him. Their names are written in a book of remembrance. Today, we are under the New Testament. If we follow it, we become a holy nation and a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9). Our names are written in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). Study your Bible. …

New Year’s Resolutions

One custom that is popular for many people is making New Year’s resolutions. This means the person decides on goals for the year. The person may make promises of certain actions or modes of thinking for the year. These resolutions are usually directed toward things that the person believes he/she fell short in during the past year. However, these may be things the person does not think he/she failed in but simply needs to grow in. Proverbs 3 gives us some things that each of us should desire to grow in. Some individuals may have fallen very short in putting these to work in their lives this past year. Others may simply want to continue to grow in their spiritual lives, and these will certainly help in that endeavor. Resolution #1 – Do not forget God’s law and keep His commandments (v. 1). The Hebrew words indicate that you do not want to mislay or give a lack of attention to God’s Word, and you need to guard and protect His commandments. Resolution #2 – Keep mercy and truth near you (v. 3-4). You should have kindness and mercy in your dealings with others. The Hebrew word for “truth” means “stability, sure, trustworthiness.” Others should know they can depend on you. Resolution #3 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart (v. 5-6). The Hebrew word for “trust” also means secure, confidence or bold. You should be confident and bold in your following of God. Resolution #4 – Do not be wise in …

Equal to Defiled Dust

Matthew 10:14 reads, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” Many of the Jews in Bible times believed that the very dust of Palestine was holy when compared to the dust of other countries. They divided land within the boundary of Palestine into ten ascending degrees of sanctity. The Most Holy Place in the Temple was the most sacred, but everything ‘outside the land’ was considered darkness and death. If a little dust from another land touched anything in the land, the object was considered unclean and defiled. That object was to be shaken free from such dust and ritually cleaned, or completely destroyed. The verse above is part of what Jesus told the twelve apostles as He was sending them out to the Israelites to preach about the coming kingdom. The apostles were told to stay in places that were open to their teaching. Once they had completed preaching to that city, they were to move on to another city. However, if a city or house refused to hear their preaching, they were to leave. As they were leaving they were to shake the dust off of their feet. The apostles were to give this signal as a message that those refusing to listen could not miss. Those individuals would know that the apostles were telling them they were of no more value than unclean and defiled dust. The same …

The Importance of the Scriptures

Some people that say they believe in the Bible also state that it is really not that important to read and learn all one can from it. These people will say that it is not really important to follow the commands and regulations it contains. Psalm 119 has 176 verses. There are 176 references to the written Word of God in this Psalm. The Psalm has 28 admonitions to “keep” the Word. The Psalm refers to “law,” “precepts,” “statutes,” “commandments,” “judgments,” “testimonies” and “word.” This Psalm talks about the rewards of keeping the Word. The Psalm talks about the desire to keep the Word. The Psalm writer asked for help in keeping the Word. Psalm 119 should be read by those that think the Scriptures are not that important. It is a marvelous record by an inspired writer teaching us to make the Scriptures a priority in our lives. Study the Bible. Learn all you can from it. Always keep it as the highest priority in your life, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Are You an Andrew?

Andrew was one of the twelve apostles. However, before he became an apostle, he was a disciple of Jesus. Before he was a disciple of Jesus, he was a disciple of John. In the first chapter of the book of John, we are told that John told Andrew that Jesus was the Lamb of God. Jesus then invited Andrew to spend the day with him. After doing so, Andrews was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. He went, found his brother and excitedly told him that the Messiah had been found. Andrew, then, brought Simon and introduced him to Jesus. Simon became the great preacher, Peter. Andrew may not have been a great public speaker, but he helped convert a relative who was. You may have heard the account of when Jesus fed over 5,000 people with just a few fishes and loaves of bread. All of these people had followed Jesus to a place away from any town. All became hungry. The fish and bread belonged to a small boy. This boy gave his food so that many could eat through the miracle of Jesus. It was Andrew who brought the boy to Jesus. Evidently, Andrew had met this boy earlier and knew that he had this food. Andrew made this boy famous even though we do not know his name. The important thing about the account is the marvelous miracle Jesus performed. Yet, we also see that Andrew was observant and was able to use resources that were …

Hosea, Son of Beeri

The Book of Hosea is about a prophet of God speaking judgment from God toward Israel. The northern kingdom of Israel had become very wicked. The rich could think of almost nothing except of how to get richer. Rulers killed one another. People did not like to worship God. God’s patience was about to run out. However, before bringing justice upon the people, He was warning them through Hosea. God wanted to give the people a chance to repent. God used Hosea’s life to make some points with the people. One of the points comes from Hosea’s name and his father’s name. Many times names do not have any more significance than simply being a person’s name. Yet, this is not the case with Hosea. His name means “salvation,” and his father’s name means “fountain” or “well.” So, Hosea, son of Beeri, means “salvation from the fountain or well” or “salvation out of a fountain or well.” In Revelation 21:6, we read that Christ gives spiritual water from His spiritual well to anyone who is spiritually thirsty. All a person has to do is obey Him. A person must come to Christ to have access to the well water. Even though Hosea presents God as a God of judgment, he also shows that God is a God of salvation. Even though He was going to punish Israel, He wanted them to understand that He wanted above all things for all Israel to be saved. We learn from the rest of …

A Transplanted Tree

In Bible times, it was not unusual to take a sapling from its place of growth and plant it in better ground. This would be close to a large source of water, usually a river or stream. Then small tributaries of water would be created from that river or stream. These small tributaries would run through a grouping of these planted trees. Taking these saplings from their original place of growth and planting them somewhere else is known as transplanting. Psalm 1:3 reads, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” The word “planted” is actually the Hebrew word for “transplanted.” In addition, the word “rivers” is the word for the small tributaries that are created to water these transplants. The person who delights in the law of the Lord is like the transplanted tree. The picture is that God takes that person and cares for him as He would a tender sapling. He plants the person in good ground (the proper soil of Scripture) and providentially creates water tributaries to give the person plenty of spiritual water. The person who keeps studying and reading the Scriptures will grow like that tree in good soil and with plenty of water. God will bless that individual. I do not want to be a small sapling left in poor ground. I do not want to be a …

What God Does for His Children

God is very good to those who love Him and follow Him. In Psalm 145 there are three things stated about this relationship. In verse eighteen, we are told that God is “nigh unto” them, but who is He near? The second part of the verse tells us He is near those that “call upon him in truth.” God is always ready to be near us, but He requires us to call upon Him, and He requires us to do that “in truth.” This means it is possible to call on Him, but not to do so in the right way. In verse nineteen, we are told that God will “fulfill the desire” of those that follow him. God does not spiritually bless those who do not obey Him. In the verse, we are told what is required to obtain those blessings – “fear him.” The second half of the verse clarifies what blessing He is primarily talking about – “save them.” If we truly fear God, and as we learned above, call upon him in truth, then He will save us. In verse twenty, we are told that God “preserveth” them that follow Him. He providentially cares for us here on earth, and he will keep us near Him all the way through our death. The verse says we must “love him.” God does not preserve those that do not love Him. Call upon Him, fear Him and love Him. If you do these things, God will be near you, He will fulfill …

People Love to Have It So

At the time Jeremiah lived, the people of Judah had become very wicked. Not even one righteous individual could be found in Jerusalem. The people worshipped false gods. They sacrificed their children to false gods. The people lied to each other. There were false prophets everywhere. These false prophets told the people whatever they wanted to hear. The priests were overbearing in their rule of the people. The priests did false worship. The priests even joined in on some of the wicked practices. In all of this, the people were happy to have it that way (Jeremiah 5:31). The people enjoyed having evil rulers. The people loved having wicked priests. They loved being guided in wrong ways. They wanted to be told that it was alright to do whatever they wanted to do. We have many individuals like this today. They have preachers telling them false things. They have elders and deacons guiding them to do things not commanded by God. They have leaders of the church and nation joining in doing evil things. The people say that it is just fine. Some will even say it shows that the leaders are ‘normal.’ The people love to have it so. God condemned the people of Judah for such things. God will condemn people today for the same. God wants people to follow Him. God wants people to obey Him. Do not be like the people of Judah. Study your Bible. Learn how to obey God, and then obey Him. Do …

Smoke in His Nose

Have you ever been standing downwind from a fire? Did the wind blow the smoke toward you? Did you get smoke in your nose? Did the smoke make you cough? Did the smoke take your breath away? Did the smoke burn your nose? It is very uncomfortable to get smoke in your nose. If the smoke is from certain types of fires, it can smell very bad, and that bad smell will stay in your nose for a long time. We read, in Isaiah 65:5, “Which say, Stand thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.” In the previous verses, we find out that the wicked Israelites are being referenced. The Israelites had become very wicked. Yet, they still wanted to be called the people of God. They still believed that they were God’s chosen and nothing could separate them from God. They did not even want the prophets to talk to them. God considered these people as smoke in his nose. He did not like anything that they did as worship toward Him. He did not like anything about them. They were a bad smell in His nose. They were uncomfortable to His nose. Instead of their sacrifices coming up as a sweet smelling savor, they were a stinking, burning smoke. Make sure that you are not like bad smoke in God’s nose. Make sure you are in the right relationship …

Milk of Reason

All babies like milk. God made them to need it. Milk gives them the nutrients needed to grow. When a baby gets hungry, he will cry. The mother knows that the baby needs more milk. We are supposed to be like the baby. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). We should desire the Word of God, just like a baby desires milk. Do you cry if you do not get to study your Bible? There are not very many people in this world who desire God’s Word that much, but God wants all humans to desire His Word that much. Many people do not understand the milk of God. There are many who think following God is nothing more than having a ‘feeling.’ They believe that once a person gets the ‘feeling’ of being saved, then there is nothing more to do. They do not believe there is a need for Bible study. The words ‘of the Word’ in our verse, are from the Greek word “logikos.” This word means logical or reasonable. Thus, the verse could read, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere logical word, that ye may grow thereby.” Growth in the grace and mercy of God is not solely dependent upon feelings. The milk of God is logical or reasonable. This means that the mind must be used in thinking about God’s Word. His commandments are logical. They are not just statements made out of …

He That Hath an Ear, Let Him Hear

Jesus addresses the churches of Asia in the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation. He gives warning to most of them. After addressing each congregation, He tells them, “he that hath an ear, let him hear.” He wanted every person to contemplate and meditate upon everything He said. In Matthew 11, Jesus refers to John the Baptist as the person prophesied to be the messenger before the Messiah. Yet, Jesus says those in the kingdom would be greater than John. This kingdom had been foretold by all the prophets. Then Jesus says “he that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” In Matthew 13, Jesus tells a parable of seed sown on different soils. At the end of the parable, He says, “who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” When one considers what the ear involves, one gets a better idea of why Jesus used the ear as part of His message. The ear is a marvel of creation. It is able to take airwaves and transfer those to mechanical energy through the eardrum and the three small bones in the middle ear. It then converts that mechanical energy to fluid waves in the cochlea. The fluid waves then interact with small hairs in the cochlea and the message is converted to a neuro-chemical message, which is sent to the brain. The brain then analyzes and interprets the message. When a person hears the biblical message, the person should be taking that information and meditating upon …

Drawn Away

James 1:14 reads, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” During Bible times, many animals were caught by making traps. The trap would contain the kind of food that the animal liked to eat. When the animal started to eat the food, it would trigger the trap to close. Thus, the animal was caught because of its hunger. If the animal was not hungry, there would be no reason to enter the trap. ‘Drawn away’ comes from a Greek word referring to the hunger of the animal that brought it out of its hiding place and into the snare. Man is tempted in many ways, but man is not required to act in a wrong way. Man is not required to sin. Man has the ability to make choices. Just because something looks good does not mean that one should involve himself in it. When man sins, he must admit it is because his own hunger brought him to sin. Man cannot blame Satan or anyone else. He must take responsibility for his own sin. Study your Bible. Learn all you can from it. Learn to look to God when you are tempted. Learn self-control. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

His Rod Comforts

“Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me…” (Psalm 23). The shepherd would lead his sheep to good pasture and water. The shepherd would have to lead them along good trails, along mountain passages, through dark valleys and through difficult foliage. Sometimes, old trails would get overgrown with thorns, briars and thistles. It might be impossible to go around the weeds, or it would be very difficult to do so. The shepherd would then take his rod and swing it back and forth as he walked. By doing this, he would beat down the thorns and open up a passage for the sheep. The sheep would be able to walk through without getting cut or stuck by the thorns and thistles. From a spiritual perspective, the thorns, briars and thistles represent sin in the world. Without the Good Shepherd leading our lives, we will get cut and stuck by sin. However, if we allow the Good Shepherd to lead us, He will beat back the sin so that we can walk through life more easily. This is how His rod comforts us. It is what opens up the pathway of life for us against sin. Study your Bible. Learn how to follow the Good Shepherd, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Curse Meroz

In Judges chapters four and five, we read about Deborah, Barak and Sisera. There was lack of male leadership in Israel. Many of the people came to the prophetess Deborah for words of wisdom. The Israelites were servants of the Canaanites at this time. The people cried to God for relief from the persecution. God had told Barak to go to war against the Canaanites whose captain was Sisera. Barak was scared to go unless Deborah went with him. Therefore, Deborah went with him. All the tribes of Israel were called to the battle. However, some did not go. In Judges 5:23, we read, “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” The people of Meroz refused to join other Israelites in fighting against the Canaanites. They were severely cursed for refusing to do what God required and had commanded. The fighting occurred almost in their backyard, and yet, they did not raise a hand to help the Israelites in the battle. Many spiritual battles can occur today in each of our communities and nations. Abortion is one of those battles. Proper definition of the family and marriage is another one. Many professed Christians refuse to get involved in these battles. They always want someone else to do the battling, whether it is with finances, writing letters, giving speeches, passing along information, etc. Sometimes …

Our King

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17). Jesus Christ is our King. He reigns on the throne in heaven. He is eternal. He existed before the creation of the universe. He will continue to exist when the universe is gone. He is immortal. The Greek word translated as immortal actually means unstained and pure. Jesus exists in purity. He has never sinned. He has absolutely no corruption. Jesus is the only wise God. There is no other God. There is no person as wise as God is. There is no angel as wise as God is. He knows everything. He knows what is right for mankind. He gives perfect counsel on how we should live. All glory and honor should be given to our King. The first way to do that is to study His Word, the Bible. Learn everything you can from it. Then obey Him. Teach others about Him. Encourage others to live for Him, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

The Redemption Foundation

When the Israelites were at Mount Sinai, God gave them directions for building the Tabernacle. One of the specifics was to make 100 silver sockets. These sockets would be the foundation for upholding the walls of the Tabernacle. God required that every man give a coin of silver for a ransom for his soul, this being for their redemption. When all the coins were collected, the total came to 100 talents of silver. Each socket weighed just around one talent. Thus, the ransom money collected was just the right amount to make the sockets. The very foundation of the Tabernacle was made from a ransom, and thus was representative of redemption. The posts and boards for the walls fit into the sockets. The joints for the socket had to be made just right so that the posts and boards would fit them properly. This proper fit would also keep the walls from coming out of contact with the sockets, and thus fall over. Every man, whether poor or rich, was to give the same amount as a ransom. God did not see one man as any different from another. Every man’s soul was just as valuable as another man’s soul. The Tabernacle is a fore picture of Christ, the church and heaven. In 1 Peter 1:18, we are told that we are not redeemed with silver and gold. Instead, we are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. Christ gave his life for our ransom. Christ is the very foundation …

Jesus Can Calm Raging Waves

Many are familiar with the account of Jesus calming the Sea of Galilee. He was sleeping in the boat when a huge storm came. The others in the boat woke Him up in fear of the storm. Jesus rebuked the wind and water, and they immediately calmed down (Luke 8). This demonstrated that He was God. Psalm 107:25ff talks about God calming the storm and having power over the wind. God brought a storm and calmed a storm in the Book of Jonah. God describes the wicked as storms. Isaiah 57:20, “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” Jude 13 says apostate teachers are like, “Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame.” Just as God can calm massive storms, He can calm the most wicked heart. If a person is willing to listen to His Word, that person can change from a stormy life to a proper life of service to God. Very bad individuals can become very good. Saul became Paul. Saul was guilty of severe persecution against Christians, but when he was converted and his name became Paul, he taught the truth to many people and changed many lives. Do not be a raging storm. Study your Bible. Obey it. Then teach it to others so that they will not be raging waves and storms, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

He Restoreth My Soul (Psalm 23:3)

The Twenty-Third Psalm is written from a sheep’s viewpoint. David pictures himself as a sheep, and pictures God as the Shepherd. David says that the Lord restores his soul. The Hebrew word for ‘restoreth’ is Meshibah. This word is used several times in the Old Testament. In Psalm 80:19, it refers to restoration from disorder and decay. Indeed, the shepherd gives direction to a confused sheep. He also gives medicine to make a sick sheep well. Jesus, as our Good Shepherd, gives us direction in His Word, the Bible. If we will follow His teaching, we will find happiness and salvation. In Ruth 4:15, Meshibah is used in reference to restoration from sorrow and affliction. The shepherd will take a frightened sheep into his bosom and comfort it. If a lion or other wild animal was after the sheep and perhaps wounded it, the shepherd would take care of the wounds. The shepherd would run the wild animal away. Jesus does this with us spiritually. He allows us to run to Him for comfort and care. If we stay within His teaching, we are kept safe from the roaring lion, Satan. In 1 Kings 17:21-22, Meshibah was used for restoration from death. The human shepherd cannot bring a dead sheep back to life. However, when the Good Shepherd comes back for the Final Judgment, all those sheep that have followed Him will be raised from the dead to meet Him in the sky for life in heaven. I am so …

Even Nineveh Spared

“And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?”(Jonah 4: 11). Jonah was told by God to go and preach to the Ninevites. In the Book of Jonah, we are told that they had wickedness and evil. Jonah did not want to preach to the Ninevites and tried to run away. God had a great fish swallow Jonah after Jonah was thrown into the sea. Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of the great fish and then was thrown up by the fish. Jonah finally went to Nineveh and preached unto them. The Ninevites repented of their evil and turned to God. What was the wickedness of Nineveh? We may not know all of it, but we can know some of it. Nineveh was built mostly by the spoils from their conquered enemies. The Ninevites enjoyed killing those they conquered. The people were a vicious people. The Assyrian kings boasted about the awful things they did to those they conquered. One king wrote the following about his capturing the city of Tela. “Many captives I burned with fire. Many of their soldiers I took alive; of some I cut off hands and limbs, of others the noses, ears, and arms; of many soldiers I put out their eyes. I reared a column of the living and a column of heads. I hung up on high their …

He Leadeth Me

Psalm 23:2b reads, “He leadeth me beside the still waters” Psalm 23: 3b says, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” If you watch a shepherd and his sheep in Palestine, you will notice that the sheep always follow the shepherd. The shepherd will walk in front, and the sheep will go wherever he goes. I read an account in a book recently about an English guide and his tourist group. The guide had told the tourists about this aspect of the shepherd and his sheep. One day the group saw a man driving sheep up a road. The tourists asked the guide why this shepherd was driving his sheep. The guide went to the man driving the sheep and stated that he thought shepherds never drove sheep. The man said that was correct. Well, the guide asked why was he, a shepherd, driving these sheep. The man stated he was not a shepherd, he was a butcher. He was driving the sheep to slaughter. Jesus is our Shepherd. He leads us to those things that are good for us. He leads us to what will help us grow spiritually. He will never lead us to destruction and slaughter.  Study your Bible. Learn all you can about the Good Shepherd. Then obey Him, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

God Is a Sun

Have you ever been outside in the early morning when it was cool outside? Then when the sun came up and its rays hit you, you immediately felt warmer. Or maybe you live in a place where it snows a lot. Even when it is still cold enough for the snow to be on the ground, if you stand still where the sun’s rays can be on you, you will feel warmer. The sun’s rays also help plants grow. Without the sun’s rays the plants could not grow. The proper amount of sun makes the plants very healthy. People even need sunlight. The sunlight activates some chemicals in the body that then help make the body healthy. In Psalm 84:11 we read, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” God is the Sun of our spiritual life. He gives us exactly what we need to live the proper and healthy spiritual life. There is something we have to do to receive the grace and glory from God. We must walk uprightly. The only way to know how to walk uprightly is to study our Bible. We must get the wisdom from it to do what God wants us to do. So keep reading your Bible, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Compass About with Sparks

God, many times, refers to Himself as the Light of the World. Those that live in sin are pictured as living in darkness. They, many times, are depicted as being in the dark and needing the light of God.In Isaiah 50:10, God called for all people to turn to Him. He told them to trust in His name. They were told to dwell upon Him and His Word. They were told to fear God. In verse eleven, we read, “Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.” Verse Ten refers to the words and philosophy of God. Verse Eleven refers to the words and philosophies of man. Man’s philosophies are pictured as the fire and sparks that man starts. Many people look to man’s philosophies and so-called wisdom. They expect these to light their way as they travel through life. They think these will guide them through their lives. Man comes up with all kinds of thinking on how to be happy in life. There are millions of books written telling people how to be happy, but there is a Book that was written by God. It tells us how to be truly happy. The Bible is God’s wisdom. It is the true light. It is what will start the true spark of life for us. It …

Chased You as Bees

Have you ever seen a swarm of bees? Have you ever seen someone chased by a swarm of bees? I ran over a nest of bees with my lawnmower one time. The bees nest was underground. The bees came flying out and were very mad. It seemed like there were hundreds of them. They were flying all around me and stinging me. I left the lawnmower and ran as fast as I could to get away. All the time I was running I was slapping at the bees. The bees were intent to let me know to stay away from their nest. In Deuteronomy 1:44, we read, “And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.” This occurred after the Israelites believed the bad report of the ten spies who returned from the land of Canaan. After they decided that they did not want to go into the land because of giants, and after they decided that they would go back to Egypt and be slaves, God told them he was going to allow all of the adults over 20-years-old to die in the wilderness over the next 40 years. So, the next morning, the people were up early and ready to go into Canaan. Moses asked them what they are doing. They said they have decided they will go into Canaan. They decided they wanted to fight for their new land rather …

Greatly Rejoice

Can you think of something that makes you very happy? Think of something that would not just make you happy, but would make you very happy. This would make you jump up and down with joy. There are things we learn from the Bible that give us that kind of joy and happiness. Peter talks about this in his first letter. Peter says that we have hope through the resurrection of Jesus (1:4). Jesus rose from the dead, and thus, He gives us the great hope of living with him in Heaven. We have that hope only because of abundant mercy (1:3). Without the mercy of God, there is no hope. The home in heaven is our inheritance for proper obedience (1:4). That home will not fade away, nor will it be corrupted by anything (1:4). It is because of these things that we can greatly rejoice (1:6). We also greatly rejoice because we will see Jesus when he comes again (1:8 – same Greek word as in verse 6). John saw this same type of great rejoicing in Heaven regarding Jesus and the church (Revelation 19:7-8). If those in heaven are so joyful about these things, then we should be as well. Study your Bible. Learn what is necessary to obtain the mercy of God and have an inheritance in heaven, so that you can live with Jesus eternally there. Learn what is necessary to have great rejoicing. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult …

The Beggars in Spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Some people are poor even though they work. They may not make very much, but they live on what they can earn. These people just barely make enough on which to live. They are needy, but they do not necessarily ask for anything else. Other people may not be able to work or cannot find any work that they are able to perform. These people are extremely poor and needy. They are completely destitute and must ask for help. In many instances, they are at the point of begging for assistance. There is nothing they can do, and they must ask others for what they need. The word for “poor” in the verse above is the word that was used for those that can do nothing to obtain what they need but ask others. Those that will inherit heaven are those who realize that they have no inherited righteousness. They know that it is only through the grace of God that there is even a hope for heaven. They know that it is only by accepting and obeying the Gospel that they can obtain heaven. They know that it is only by having a beggar’s heart that they can obtain the mercy of God. Study your Bible. Learn about God’s grace and mercy. Learn what you must do to obey God. Then have the beggar’s heart and work the work’s of righteousness. If any of …

Collection for Jerusalem

The historian Suetonius referred to frequent famines between the years A.D. 45 and A.D. 48. Famines are times when there is either too little rain for crops to grow or too much rain that does not allow the crops to be planted. The Jewish writer Josephus tells that the queen-mother of Adiabene sent much grain and figs to Judea to help the poor. Her son sent money to the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem to help the poor. It is likely that the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem would have been excluded from those gifts. The Jewish leaders hated Christians and considered them as infidels. Thus, Christians likely suffered the most from the famines and had a very difficult time regaining any prosperity in the following years. Paul wrote to Gentile Christians telling them about the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem. Those in Jerusalem were poor and hungry. Paul told the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 9 that each person should be a cheerful giver. He told the Romans in Romans16:25-26 that the Christians in Achaia and Macedonia had happily shared in giving to the collection for those in Jerusalem. Paul told them that they had been made partakers of the Jew’s spiritual things, and that they should feel duty bound to give physical things to needy Jewish Christians. Paul was using the situation to teach the Gentile and Jewish Christians proper love for brethren. Many of the Jews still looked down upon Gentiles. It was hard for them to accept that …

The Woman that Excels

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Many young women are taught about the virtuous woman. The virtuous woman described in Chapter Thirty-One of Proverbs is a marvelous woman. She is described as a hard worker, a supporter of her husband, a provider of needed items for her family, a helper of the poor and a person of wisdom. The Hebrew word translated “virtuous” in the above verse is always translated this way when referring to a woman, but when it is used to reference a man, it is translated “strong,” “valiant,” “worthy,” “valor” and “mighty.” It is easy to see that the virtuous woman is also strong, valiant, worthy and a mighty person of valor. It is interesting that this last chapter of Proverbs is said by the King to have been taught to him by his mother. It is likely that the King is Solomon and the mother is Bathsheba. Bathsheba would have done her best to tell Solomon to find a proper woman to marry. She would have wanted her son to find a woman who would be the best helpmeet. Such a woman not only excels, but helps her husband excel as well. Such a woman guides her children into excellence. Of course, the excellence that is most important is spiritual excellence. The virtuous woman will be well versed in Scripture. She will aid her husband in his spirituality. She will teach her children proper spirituality. Study your …

David’s Psalm in 1 Chronicles 16

King David had just brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. David had built a special tabernacle in which to place the Ark. Burnt sacrifices were given. Peace offerings were given. To celebrate the event, King David gave every man and woman a loaf of bread, a good piece of meat and some grape juice. He then appointed certain Levites to minister at the tabernacle. After all of this, David gives a psalm to the Levites with which to thank God. This psalm is recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36. It is interesting that throughout the psalm, David uses the name Jehovah for God. This is the name that God Himself gave as His name of the Covenant with Moses in Exodus Chapter Six. In verses 16-18, David refers to the covenant that God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In verse 16, David uses an interesting word for “made.” This word in the Hebrew means, “to cut.” Indeed, Abraham was given instructions for circumcision in Genesis Chapter Seventeen as a symbol of the covenant. Verse Thirty-One is a very interesting verse. If you take the first letter of each word in the Hebrew, they spell Jehovah –another way for David to emphasize the importance of God’s covenant with Israel. I am glad that we have a covenant with God. Our covenant is the New Testament. Just as David and the Israelites were so thankful for their covenant, we should be very thankful for our covenant. Just as they were …

His Golden Girdle

The High Priest had several specific items of clothing that he wore. One of these was a girdle. On the Day of Atonement, he wore a linen girdle. On other days, he wore a golden one. He only wore the girdle when he was active in ministering for the people. Once he was finished, he took the girdle off. In Revelation 1:13 we read, “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” Jesus is pictured standing among the churches clothed in His golden girdle. Thus, He is pictured as ministering for the churches. Jesus finished His work on earth when He was crucified and resurrected. However, in heaven, He is active as our High Priest. He is there representing us to the Father. Not only is He alive, He is working for us. He will never die. We will never need another High Priest. Hebrews 10:21-23 tells us we should be inspired to hold fast our faith without wavering because of our Great High Priest. Then, the writer of Hebrews tells us that this should make us want to provoke each other to love and good works. The writer then tells us that because of our High Priest we should not want to miss worship services. We should always want to be there to worship our God. If we do not do this, then we really …

He Paid the Fare

Many people are familiar with the biblical account of Jonah. He was told by God to go preach to the Ninevites. Jonah did not want to do this. He got on a ship and headed toward a far place called Tarshish. God created a storm that threatened to sink the ship. The crew of the ship finally threw Jonah overboard, which calmed the storm. Jonah was swallowed by a large fish. At the end of three days, the fish vomited Jonah up onto land. Jonah then went and preached in the city of Nineveh. In Jonah 1:3, there is an interesting phrase. When Jonah went to the seaport of Joppa, he found a ship and “he paid the fare.” In the Hebrew, this phrase means he “paid the hire.” This phrase indicates that Jonah did not just buy a ticket for the trip. Rather, it indicates that Jonah hired the boat to go where he wanted to go. He paid the salary of the crew. As one reads the account, there are no other passengers mentioned. The shipmaster and mariners do not ask anyone else about their relationship with their god. The crew is convinced that Jonah is to blame. No passengers are mentioned to have also considered Jonah as the source of the trouble. All indications are that Jonah is the only passenger. This may be why the crew was slow to throw him overboard. He was their only passenger, and he had paid for use of the whole …

Blessed Is the Man

“Blessed” in most instances in the Bible comes from words that meant happy. What makes a man blessed according to the Bible? Psalm 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” People who do not follow God think that Christians are unhappy people. They think that partaking in sinful things makes a person happy. It is just the opposite. Abstaining from sinful things is what makes a man truly happy. Psalm 40:4 reads, “Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” A man will not truly be happy if he puts all his trust in another man. Men make mistakes. God never makes a mistake. God never lies. God is the one who can be trusted completely. Following God makes a man happy. Psalm 84:5 observes, “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.” Any person who thinks that he has the power to live life happily without God, is mistaken. Only by trusting in God’s strength can a person be truly happy. It is important to know how to be happy. There are many books written by men in which they attempt to tell readers how to find happiness. However, true happiness can only come by following God. It is necessary to read and study …

Glory of This Latter House

The prophet Haggai encouraged the Israelites to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The people that came back from captivity had begun to build but then stopped. It had been several years since they had worked on the Temple. Haggai also gave prophecies of the church. In 2:9 we read, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.” Most commentators agree that this verse has reference to the church. However, what is sad is that many religious people today believe that the church is not the promised kingdom. God established the Temple. He blessed those who built the Temple. Solomon’s Temple was considered one of the most magnificent buildings in existence before it was destroyed. If the church has more glory than Solomon’s Temple, it cannot be because Christ failed to establish the kingdom and instead gave us the church. That would make the church a secondary institution that began from failure rather than from glory. The church is a glorious body. It has more glory than the Temple could ever have. The church is the kingdom (Colossians1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:12). It is the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22). Study your Bible. Learn all you can from it. Obey the commands in it and be a member of the Lord’s church. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Go Through the Gate, Cast Up the Highway

“Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people” (Isaiah 62:10). Isaiah 62 says several things regarding the church. Isaiah is speaking hundreds of years before the church was established. So, Isaiah is prophesying of things in the future. The church will be made up of beings loved by God. Christians will be righteous individuals. They are portrayed as the bride of Christ. Christians also have work to do. They are pictured as living within the heavenly Jerusalem. The city has gates. Christians are pictured as leaving the confines of the walled city. They do this so that they can make the way to the city easier for those who need to come to the city. In ancient times, it was customary for kings to employ citizens to go before them and prepare the roadway. They cleaned off rocks that were in the way. They leveled the road. They built the road up if travel was to go through a swamp. Christians are to do this for those that are lost. Christians are to go out and help build up the low places in people’s lives. Christians help cast away the spiritual stones that people are stumbling over. Christians then lift up the banner of Christ so that people can see the way to the heavenly Jerusalem. Make sure you are making it easier for others to find their way to the …

Freedman’s Cap

During the first century, the Romans had many, many slaves. The Romans conquered many nations, and the people of those nations often became slaves. Some slaves were treated very well while others were treated badly. It was possible for a slave to become a freeman. There were several ways that this could happen, but we will not discuss those here. When a slave became a freeman, he was given a special cap. This cap was made of felt and was shaped like half of an egg. It fit very closely to the head. This cap was a sign of his freedom. It was known as the freedman’s cap. When people saw the cap, they would know that this man was not a run-away slave. They would know that he was a free man. There was a festival called Saturnalia. During this festival it was customary for everyone to wear the freedman’s cap. One reason for this was to show that all men were equal under Roman law. Another reason was to demonstrate the freedom of the season, and compassion and good will were to prevail during the festival. However, the slaves all knew that it was only for a few days. In reality, they were not the same as Roman citizens. In Galatians 3:27-28, we read, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye …

I Will Not Accept Them

Some religious people think that it does not matter what they do in their lives or how they act. They think that they can do whatever they want as long as they go to worship on Sunday. They think that if they spend an hour or two per week going through the motions of worshipping God that He is satisfied. They do not think that God cares about how they worship Him either. However, God does care about how He is worshipped. He does care about how people act when they are not worshipping Him. In Amos 6:21-23, the prophet Amos tells the people of the Northern Kingdom that God is disgusted with their worship. God says He will not smell or take delight in their assemblies. He will not accept their sacrifices and offerings. The Israelites had become wicked. They did all sorts of evil things during the week. They were dishonest. They cared more about money than they did ethics. They were immoral. They hated having to go to worship, but they were worshipping. Yet, God is not interested in just seeing man go through the motions of worshipping Him. God is interested in man’s heart. God expects man to be interested in worshipping Him. He expects to be worshipped right, both in the truth of the worship and in the right emotions of worship. Do not be like the Northern Kingdom. Do not have God say to you, “I Will Not Accept Them.” Study your Bible. Learn God’s will. Then, obey …

I Will Turn My Face from Them

In Ezekiel 7:22, we read, “My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place; for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.” God, through Ezekiel, is telling of his condemnation of Judah. He states that he is going to allow strangers (non-Israelites) to enter the Temple and pollute it. He will do this because the Israelites have become so wicked. In verse twenty, we learn that they had made horrible idols in the Temple. They were worshipping these idols. In 8:10, Ezekiel, in a vision, sees these terrible idols and sees the leaders of the people worshipping them. In 8:16, Ezekiel sees leaders of the people standing in the Temple looking east. They were worshipping the sun. The sun rises in the east. Therefore, many sun worshippers worship while looking east. God always pictured Himself as being in the west. In the Tabernacle that He had Moses build, the Holy of Holies was on the west end of the Tabernacle. The gates to enter the Tabernacle compound, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies were on the east side. The gate to the Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve were sent out after their sin was on the east. The picture is that to look back to God they would look west. To worship the sun in the Temple required one to turn his back on God. This is exactly what we read in Ezekiel 8:16, “…with their backs toward the temple of the Lord…” Since the people had turned their back …

Daily

Every person must live one day at a time. It is true that it is wise to plan for the future. It is true that it is not wise to ignore the past and not learn from it. However, one cannot keep thinking about the past nor keep planning for the future and forget to act and learn each day. It is what one does each day that demonstrates whether one is learning from the past and planning for the future. “Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for I cry unto thee daily” (Psalm 86:3). A person should pray to God daily. It is necessary to ask for forgiveness of sins. It is proper to lean upon God for the strength to overcome temptations. It is proper to look to God for wisdom. “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). There are three possibilities for what this verse means. It may refer to the actual daily food that we eat. Or, it may refer to the daily spiritual food that we get from Bible study. Or, it could encompass both of these. It is proper to thank God for both. It is proper to realize that our physical food and our spiritual food are gifts from God. “Blessed be the Lord who daily loaded us with benefits” (Psalm 68:19). God blesses all people richly every day. The very air we breath was created by God. Every day we should remember that all that we have and use was …

The Rootless Plant

Have you ever noticed bushes and trees growing on the side of rocky hill? It is amazing that some plants can grow in just a small amount of dirt. It is even more amazing that they can grow as big as they sometimes get. Those plants do not have very deep roots. If they were growing in normal depth soil, they would be able to send their roots deep into the ground. However, since they are growing in shallow soil, they have very short  roots. These short roots do not keep them secure in the ground. If a strong wind blows, it can cause the  roots to pull out of the ground and the plant falls over and dies. Because the soil is not deep, there is not much water available for the plant. When the sun shines and is hot for any length of time, the plant may  wither and die from lack of moisture. Jesus says that there are some people like these plants. In Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21; Mark 4: 5-6, 16-17  and Luke 8:6,13, Jesus talks about these people. He says some people hear the Word of God and  receive it. They accept it with joy and begin to grow in faith. They give the appearance of being healthy Christians, but they make their spiritual heart a heart of shallow soil. They do not send their spiritual root deep. Then when life gets tough or there is a crisis, their root is torn up, or they  wither and die spiritually. It is necessary to study and …

The Stork Knows

Have you ever read about how birds migrate? Many birds do not live in the same place for the whole year. They will live in one place for part of the year and then fly a long distance to live in another place for the rest of the year. The birds instinctively know when it is time to fly to the other place. God said that the Israelites were not even as smart as migrating birds. In Jeremiah 8:7, we read, “Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord.” The Israelites were supposed to know God’s laws. They were supposed to follow God’s laws. God had given them commandments to follow. He had told them on several occasions that if they followed and obeyed Him that they would be blessed. He told them that if they did not obey Him that He would bring curses upon them. The people of Judah had seen the curses come upon the Northern Kingdom. They had experienced some of the curses upon them. However, instead of knowing that it was time to repent and come back to God, they continued in their sins. They were not even as smart as a stork or a swallow. When the bird realized that the weather was changing, it knew it was time to fly away. The Israelites should have been spiritually flying away from …

Contend with Horses?

In Jeremiah 12:5, we read, “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” Jeremiah knew the destruction of Judah was coming. He tried many different ways, through the prophecies from God, to warn the people. However, the people refused to listen to him and God. Jeremiah, in this verse, says that the people have been wearied fighting those who were on foot. If that had wearied them, what did they think they would do against an enemy with a cavalry? If they were having a hard time living while in peace, what did they think they would do in hard times? If they could not find peace within themselves during good times, how did they think they would do in tough times? Many reading Wisdom’s Corner live in advanced nations. They have plenty to eat, nice homes in which to live, many modern conveniences to help in daily life and money with which to buy things. Many individuals in those nations are unhappy. They are not content even though they have all these things. They gripe about being weary of daily life. What do they think will happen when they do not have these things? If they do not like life now, what will they do when life gets much harder? Study your Bible. Learn how God wants you to …

Forgive How Many Times?

The Jews had many regulations that they followed simply by tradition. These were not laws that God had given. These were rules that the rabbis and other leaders decided upon over the centuries. The Pharisees were exact in following these rules, and they expected everyone else to live by those rules. One of the settled rules was that forgiveness should not be extended more than three times. Thus, if a person offended you and then repented, you were to forgive him. If he offended a second time, you were to forgive him. If he offended a third time and repented, you were to forgive him. If he offended a fourth time, you were not required to forgive him if he repented. In fact, you were not to forgive him. Jesus told his disciples in Luke 17:3-4, that if a man trespassed against you seven times in one day you should forgive him if he repented. Peter came to Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22 and asked how many times a person should be forgiven. Peter asked if he should forgive seven times. Jesus said no, not seven times. Instead, Jesus said you should forgive seventy times seven. The point Jesus was making was that there is no numerical value to forgiving someone. A person who is sincere in his repentance should always be forgiven. I am glad that Jesus stated this. All of us sin and offend God. Some of us may be weak and repeatedly sin. Yet, God is willing to forgive us if …

Milk of Reason

All babies like milk. God made them to need it. Milk gives them the nutrients needed to grow. When a baby gets hungry, he will cry. The mother knows that the baby needs more milk. We are supposed to be like the baby. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). We should desire the Word of God, just like a baby desires milk. Do you cry if you do not get to study your Bible? There are not very many people in this world who desire God’s Word that much, but God wants all humans to desire his Word that much. Many people do not understand the milk of God. There are many who think following God is nothing more than having a ‘feeling.’ They believe that once a person gets the ‘feeling’ of being saved, then there is nothing more to do. They do not believe there is a need for Bible study. The words ‘of the word’ in our verse, are from the Greek word logikos. This word means logical or reasonable. Thus, the verse could read, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere logical word, that ye may grow thereby.” Growth in the grace and mercy of God is not solely dependent upon feelings. The milk of God is logical or reasonable. This means that the mind must be used in thinking about God’s Word. His commandments are logical. They are not just statements made out of unthinking …

How Can a Polygamist Become a Christian?

How Can a Polygamist Become a Christian? How can this problem be solved in a case of a Christian involved in a polygamous union before coming to know God? ~ Femi Temilola     Christians and non-Christians are amenable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whether they realize it or not (Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:15). The reason Jesus Christ came into the world was because mankind was already lost in sin; “Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 ASV; Romans 3:10, 23 ).     Since all people are bound by the Gospel or New Testament even before they become Christians, part of the Gospel plan of salvation calls for repentance prior to forgiveness of one’s past sins; “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:28).     The New Testament allows a man or a woman one spouse (monogamy, not polygamy). “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:1-2). A second spouse under Christianity constitutes adultery (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Apostolic instruction for the selection of elders emphasized monogamy rather than polygamy, since previously under Judaism and among non-Jews as well, polygamy was sometimes practiced (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6).    Therefore, a polygamist who wants to become a Christian must abide by the New …

Hardheaded

Most people do not like to be told they are hardheaded. In fact, most people would be insulted if you told them they were hardheaded. In most instances, if you told someone he is hardheaded, you would be telling him that he is not reasonable. You are saying that he does not listen to all the evidence, and then make a proper decision on the evidence. You are saying that he will not change his mind, no matter what is said to him.     God said that the nation of Israel was hardheaded. In Ezekiel 3:7, God says, “…for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.” The word “impudent” is the translation of the Hebrew word for hardheaded. God condemned Israel for this characteristic. The Israelites refused to listen to God and His prophets.     Then God told Ezekiel in verse eight, “Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.” God was going to make Ezekiel hardheaded. God was not saying that He was going to make Ezekiel a bad person. God was saying He would strengthen Ezekiel so that he could withstand the arguments of the Israelites. God helped him withstand the mocking of the people of Israel. Always standing up for what is right is having the right kind of hardheadedness.    God was not only going to make Ezekiel as hardheaded as Israel; He was going to make him harder. In verse nine, God said He would make Ezekiel as hard as an “adamant.” This is …

The Golden Candlestick

The Golden Candlestick was in the Holy Place. It was made of pure gold. It had one main shaft and six branches. You can read about it in Exodus 25:31-40.    The Candlestick is representative of Christ. The only light in the Holy Place came from the Candlestick. Christ is the light of the church. If a church does not follow Jesus’ teachings, then there is no light in that congregation. The priest had to take care to keep the candlestick lit and burning. It was up to him not to allow the light to go out.    Christians must study the Bible and be diligent to properly teach and preach the Word. If they do not, the light will leave their congregation.     Why six branches? There may be several pictures in this but we will just look at one possibility. In Isaiah 11:1-2 we read, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out if his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Notice that there are six things that this Branch will have. Perhaps the six branches represent these six things that Christ demonstrated.     The Candlestick had bowls in the shape of almonds. The Hebrew word for almond can mean “to hasten” and “wakeful.” Christ hastened to preach the good news to man, and we are to …

God’s Bare Holy Arm

In ancient times, most people wore loose fitting clothes. Even soldiers wore loose fitting shirts. The looseness allowed the individual to do many things without the arm being cramped. However, when it was time for the heat of battle, the soldier would roll his sleeve up and tuck it over his shoulder. This would completely free his arm so that he could swing his sword in any direction. When a normal worker was getting into very serious hard labor, he would also tuck his sleeve over his shoulder. When a person was seen with his arm bare, it was a sign that something serious was happening.     In Isaiah 52:10 we read, “The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” This chapter is full of prophecies about Christ. This verse is also about Christ. Christ is pictured as God’s bare arm. In Isaiah 51:9-11, the arm is described as the one who made the sea a dry ground for the Israelites to cross over.     When Christ came to earth, He did not preach and teach in secret. He did not do his miracles in secret. He did these things in the open so that all could hear and see. He allowed himself to be crucified in full view of the world. Then, He sent the Holy Spirit for the Christians during the first century so that they could do miracles. These …

God’s Tattoo

There are some cultures where people are encouraged to have tattoos. These tattoos may have tribal significance. Other cultures may accept tattoos as simply pretty, and some cultures frown upon tattoos that are openly visible for all to see.     What is interesting is that God says he had a tattoo. In Isaiah 49:14, the people of Israel say that God has forgotten them. But God says he has not forgotten them. In verse sixteen we read, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”     God does not have physical hands, but he uses this symbolism to make the point that he does not forget his people. He has his people’s names written on his palms. Most tattoos are on the side of a person’s arms, on the back or on the legs. If a tattoo is on these places, clothing will cover it up. However, clothing rarely covers up the palms of the hands. The palms of the hands are very visible and constantly in front of the eyes. Whatever is on the palms is a constant reminder.     Is your name written on God’s palms? Do you study your Bible? Do you obey the Bible? If you do not, your name is not written on God’s palms. Make sure God writes your name on his palms. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Go in the Gap

Ezekiel prophesied against the wickedness of the people of Judah. He condemned the false prophets. These prophets told the people anything they wanted to hear. They did not preach against the immorality of the people. They did not preach against the worship of false gods. They even joined the people in all the sins.     God said in Ezekiel 13:5, “Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.” During a real battle, the enemy might break through a portion of the city wall. Good and brave soldiers would rush to that place and fight to keep the enemy out of the city. They would also work hard to rebuild a defensive wall around the city.     God was talking here about a spiritual battle. The prophets of God were supposed to preach the truth. They were supposed to call the people to repentance. They were to lead the people in the battle against Satan. The prophets were to rush into the hole made in the spiritual wall of Israel. They were supposed to help rebuild the spiritual wall.    However, these prophets failed in their mission. God condemned them. They would die because of their sins.     Do not be like the false prophets of Israel. Stand for the Truth. Tell others the Truth. Be brave in the spiritual battle. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Gathering the Outcasts

Under the Old Law, some people were not allowed to enter the Temple. Anyone with certain physical deformities could not enter. Eunuchs were not allowed in the Temple. Those who had not physically converted to Judaism and were of a foreign nation could not enter the Temple. Anyone who had become unclean by touching something dead was not allowed in the Temple. These people were allowed to worship God privately, but they could not join the congregation in the Temple. They were considered outcasts.     In Isaiah 56:8, we read, “The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.” Earlier in the chapter, God had said that the son of the stranger and the eunuch would be included in the new covenant He would bring.    When the New Covenant was instituted, any former outcast was immediately included if he obeyed God. Anyone who obeys God today can join in congregational worship. The key is that one must obey God. One must do what is necessary to enter the kingdom. Today, the only outcasts are those who refuse to obey.     I am glad that God is willing to allow anyone to worship him. It does not matter what nationality, sex, physical condition or former life one has. If a person will obey God, he can join in worship.     Study your Bible. Learn what is necessary to obey God. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help …

Hemlock in the Furrows

In Hosea 10:4 we read, “They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.”     Hosea condemned the people of Israel. They had said that they were God’s people, but they did not live by their words. They did not live by God’s Word. Instead, they had made false gods and worshipped them. Because of their disobedience, they would be punished. Because of making a covenant and then breaking it, they would be punished.     Later in the chapter, Hosea pictured the Israelites as having plowed their fields and sown their fields with evil. They should have been sowing and plowing righteousness. Because they had sown evil, their judgment would be like hemlock growing in the plowed field. Hemlock is a poison. Anyone eating it dies. Therefore, instead of reaping good, spiritual things, the Israelites had grown spiritual death.     The same thing can happen to us today. In Hebrews 12, we read that we must work to make sure that we stay faithful to God. We must be diligent in obeying God’s Word. In verse 15, we are told that if we do not do this, then roots of ‘bitterness’ will spring up and trouble us.     Do not be like the evil Israelites. Obey God. Do what He wants you to do. Help others to live right. Do not let hemlock grow up in your spiritual garden. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to …

Hands Full of Blood

Under the Old Law, God required animal sacrifices. Every sin or transgression required some type of sacrifice. Goats, lambs, bulls and birds were all part of this sacrificial system. Each individual was required to give sacrifices. The individual was to bring the sacrifice to the priests. In most instances, the individual killed the animal. The priest would then put the sacrifice on the altar.     However, God was not simply pleased by animal sacrifice. God wanted the individual to be repentant. God wanted the individual to have the right attitude of heart and mind. God was not pleased if the individual offered the animal sacrifice while not thinking about his sin and God’s mercy and grace.     In Isaiah Chapter One, God condemned the Israelites for their sins. He said that they offered sacrifices according to the Law, but that they did not offer them with the right attitude. He told them not to bring any more sacrifices. He was weary of them. In verse 15, He said their hands were full of blood.     There are two possible things that God was saying in reference to their hands being full of blood. He may have meant that all the blood from the sacrifices had done nothing but cover their hands. All of that animal blood was completely worthless in doing away with their sins. Thus, they did nothing but cover their hands with lots of animal blood.     The other possibility is that all men are guilty of the …

Dig Deep

In Luke 6:47-49, Jesus says that a man should listen to his words. He is not talking about just letting the words fall on one’s ears. Just because a person is within hearing distance, and just because he is looking at the person talking, does not mean he is actually attempting to think about what is being spoken.     The same holds true for reading. Just because one allows his eyes to scan across words on a page, does not mean that one is actually reading and thinking about those words.     When Jesus said we are to “hear” his sayings, He means that, whether we are listening to someone teach or preach, or whether we are reading our Bible, we should think and contemplate on the words. Effort must be put forth in studying God’s Word. Knowledge and wisdom of his Word does not magically come to us.     In the referenced text, Jesus compares hearing with digging. In verse forty-eight, He says that the man who listens and does His Word is like the man who digs deep and lays the foundation of a house. Listening properly is digging deep. A house must have a proper foundation. That foundation must be solid. The foundation of a house in many Bible lands was set on rock. Thus, a person many times had to dig deep through sand and soil to find the rock.     We find the spiritual Rock, Jesus, by digging deep in the Scriptures. We must read and …

The Desolate Vineyard Booth

In Bible times, the vineyard was very important. One of the main foods was grapes. All kinds of grapes were grown. There were many dangers to the vineyard. The east and southwest winds could dry out the grapes or bring too much moisture. Locusts, wild animals and robbers were always potential enemies of the vineyard. Watchmen were appointed to keep constant oversight of the vineyards.     The watchman was there day and night. He was to frighten away animals and challenge or report on any intruders. He would roam about at night to make sure that no enemies were able to sneak into the vineyard. In the daytime, he sat in a booth that he built in a conspicuous place in the vineyard. This booth was made of four stout poles fixed into the ground. Halfway up, boarding was affixed and then covered with leaves, usually oak. The watchman could sit here and see all around the vineyard while being protected from the sun. When the season was over and the grapes had been harvested, the booth was no longer used. It would be ripped apart by the winds and heavy rains. With no watchman to repair it, it was a perfect picture of desolation.     In Isaiah 1:8, we read, “And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage [booth] in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.” God depicted the nation of Israel as the booth in the vineyard. Israel was the very picture of a desolate …

Greater than Solomon

Most people have heard of King Solomon. Solomon was asked what he wanted from God. Solomon followed the advice of his father, King David, and asked for wisdom. God gave him more wisdom than any man had ever had. He even had more than any man will ever have. Solomon became known throughout the world for his wisdom. He also became one of the richest men ever to live. The Queen of Sheba heard of his wisdom and traveled to Jerusalem to see if what she had heard was correct. After spending time with Solomon, she was convinced that he did have the greatest wisdom of all men.     Jesus referred to this incident in Matthew 12:42. The Pharisees and scribes had witnessed Jesus performing great miracles. They had heard Him teaching and preaching with great wisdom. Yet, they did not desire to travel distances to listen to learn. They only wanted to follow Him to try to find something wrong with what He did or with what He said. They had no intention of being open-minded and sincere like the Queen of Sheba.     Jesus stated that the Queen of Sheba would rise in judgment against them. She traveled a long way to hear and see Solomon. She desired of the truth. Jesus said they had someone with them who was greater than Solomon, yet they refused to accept Him. They would be condemned for their unbelief.    Study your Bible. Learn all you can about the One who is greater than Solomon. …

Greater than Jonah

Most people who study the Bible are familiar with the account about Jonah. He was told to preach repentance to the great city of Nineveh. The people there were very wicked. Jonah at first did not go. However, through God’s intervention, Jonah was convinced he should go. Jonah spent three days in the belly of a large fish. The fish then vomited him up. Jonah traveled to Nineveh and preached to the entire city. All of the people of Nineveh, including the king, repented at his preaching and turned to God. Jonah did not perform miracles for the people. They simply obeyed what Jonah preached to them.    Jesus refers to this incident in Matthew 12:39-41, after the scribes and Pharisees accused him of performing miracles by the power of Satan. After Jesus logically showed that He could not be of Satan, the scribes and Pharisees sarcastically asked him to perform a miracle for them.    Jesus stated that the only sign He would give to them was the sign of Jonah. He would be in the grave for three days and nights and then come out of the grave.    He then told them that the people of Nineveh would rise in judgment against them. Those Jesus spoke to had not only heard preaching of repentance, but they had witnessed great miracles by Jesus. Yet, unlike the people of Nineveh, they refused to believe the preaching or the miracles. Jesus was greater than Jonah, yet these people refused to accept His teaching. They would be condemned for their unbelief.   Study …

Clear Before the Army

In ancient times, armies traveled by foot most of the time. When large armies traveled into very rocky areas, they needed the way cleared of many of the rocks. When traveling into forested areas, they needed trees cut down to make the way clear for them to travel. Sometimes, it was some of the soldiers who went ahead and did the clearing. Other times, it was civilians that were hired to do it, and sometimes it was slaves who were made to do it.     ll this work made it easier for the army to travel. This was very necessary work that had to be done so that the army could go where it was needed. We have instances where the word for this preparation is used in the Bible.     In Philippians 1:12, we read, “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” The word for “furtherance” is the Greek word for that preparation.     Paul is saying that even though some bad things had happened to him, they always had made it in some way possible to preach the Gospel. Everything that happened allowed Paul to preach the Word of God to someone. Sometimes the things that happened to him made others want to listen to what he had to say. Other times, people were impressed with his commitment to overcome obstacles.     This is the way that we should look at the …

Choked by Thorns

Have you ever had a vegetable garden? You prepared the soil by breaking it up and watering it. You may have even put fertilizer on the soil. Then, you planted the seed. After a short time, the seeds sprouted, and the plants started growing. The plants may have even grown to the point where they should start producing their fruit. The plants may have been corn, beans or peas. If you took good care of the garden, you made sure that no weeds grew up in it. You kept the garden clean of all weeds.     However, if you had not taken care to pull out weeds as they sprouted up, the weeds would have grown right alongside the vegetable plants. The weeds would take some of the nutrition and water from the soil for themselves. Eventually, the weeds would even overpower the vegetables and choke them out. The vegetables would not produce what they were supposed to produce. The vegetable plants might not die completely, but they would be unfruitful. You would eventually have to cut them down along with the weeds.     Jesus said there were some people like this situation. In Luke 7, 14; Mark 4:7, 18-19; and Matthew 13:7, 22, Jesus says that some people hear the Word of God and accept it. They begin to grow in the faith, but they allow cares of this world, and the desires for things of this world, to grow up in their spiritual soil. These thorns and weeds become more important …

The Forgotten Wedding Dress

Have you ever been to a wedding? Did you see the men dressed in their formal clothing? Did you see the women dressed in their formal clothing? Did you see the bride in her beautiful wedding dress?     The bride’s dress is very special. Sometimes the woman will wear the dress her mother wore at her wedding. Sometimes the woman will make her dress. She will find expensive, special materials to make it. Sometimes the woman will have someone else make the dress. The bride wants her dress to be attractive.     Can you imagine a bride getting to her wedding and forgetting her dress? Do you think she would forget such a special dress? Do you think she would want to get married without her dress? What would the groom think about his soon-to-be bride if she could not even remember her wedding dress?     Yet, the Israelites were said to be worse than the bride who forgot her wedding dress. In Jeremiah 2:32, we read, “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.”     Remembering God and worshipping God is more important than anything in this world. God is our Creator. We are to worship God. We should love God. God wants us to obey Him. He has promised that if we will obey Him, that we can live with Him forever in heaven. It makes no sense to forget the Creator of the Universe. It makes …

Every Vision Faileth

In Ezekiel 12:22, we read, “Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?”     Ezekiel’s job was prophesying and warning about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and Babylonian captivity. He was to preach about punishment for sin and the need for repentance.     However, the people of Judah had become so hard hearted that they did not believe any of the prophets. They had come to the point that they even scoffed and mocked them. They said that God’s prophets were telling things that were not true. They said God’s prophets had been foretelling of the fall of Jerusalem but it never happened. The leaders and false prophets of the people declared that all was safe and nothing bad was going to happen.    God through Ezekiel said that this proverb was going to end. Why? Because what He had been warning them about through the prophets was about to happen. There was no more time for repentance. There were no longer many days before destruction.     Some people had the same attitude in New Testament times. In 2 Peter 3, people were saying that Jesus was not returning to earth. They were saying that all the talk about Jesus’ return was false because nothing had changed. They even went so far as to say that nothing had changed since the beginning of the world. They were wrong. God had destroyed things with the flood.     There are people today who say that the Bible is …

Despise Him, Be Despised

Amos was chosen by God to prophesy to Israel. Amos lived during a time when Israel was at peace with most of the surrounding nations. There was a general state of wealth and prosperity in Israel. The northern and southern kingdoms had almost reached the same size as the kingdom had been under Solomon.     However, the people had become evil. They were arrogant and full of pride. They worshipped idols. The rich mistreated the poor. Many of the people were preoccupied with making money.     The people had reached the point that they even despised God. In Amos 2:4, we are told that God will punish the people because, “they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments.” The word “despised” comes from a Hebrew word that means a strong dislike. They were not just rejecting God’s law. They truly did not like it at all.     In Amos 5:21, we read, “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.” The people were still performing sacrifices to God, but their heart was not in it. They were simply going through the motions without thinking of or having any emotion toward God. Because of this, God said he despised them. God uses the same Hebrew word for “despise” that was used in Amos 2:4.     There is an old saying that says, “What goes around, comes around.” This means that what you do to others will eventually come back to haunt you. If you …

The Consolation

In Luke Chapter Two, we read about a man named Simeon. Simeon was a just and devout man. In verse twenty-five, we read that Simeon was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.”     Consolation means comfort or exhortation. Simeon knew that God was going to send the Messiah. The nation of Israel had been waiting for a very long time for that Messiah who would bring them comfort and exhortation.     Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before his own eyes had seen the Messiah. Then, the Holy Spirit told him that Messiah, the Christ, was at the Temple. Therefore, Simeon went to the Temple to see the child. Verses 29-32 record the words that Simeon spoke to God after seeing the baby. Notice that Simeon states that he has seen God’s salvation.     In 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, we read, “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” Through Jesus, we can have everlasting consolation. That means that we have salvation through Jesus. True eternal hope can only come through Jesus.     I am thankful that Jesus was willing to come to earth to be our consolation. I am thankful that the Father is loving enough to have such a plan for us. Keep reading your Bible. Learn what is needed to have that consolation and salvation, and if any …

Book of Remembrance

Those that fear the Lord speak often with one another. (See Malachi 3:16.) God-fearers want to help and encourage one another. They also want to spend time together worshipping God. They desire to meditate on His name and His will.     Read again the verse. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.”     Those that truly love God and obey him, have their names written in a book. This is not a literal book. This is symbolism that we can understand. What it is really saying is that God remembers those that obey him, and he remembers their deeds. God will reward those who obey him.     There are other references to books of remembrance. Some of them are Exodus 32:32, Psalm 69:28 and Daniel 12:1. Notice that one’s name can be taken out of the book. In Revelation 20:12, we find that at the Judgment, books will be opened. Out of those books every person will be judged as to what he did while living. Read the Bible. Study it. Obey God. Have your name written in the good book of remembrance. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Beatitude Bookends

In Matthew 5-7, we are given the record of a sermon that Jesus gave on a mountain. He began the sermon with what are known as the Beatitudes. These are recorded in verses three through 10. These give characteristics of the person who follows Christ.     What is interesting is that those who fulfill these traits are said to be in ‘the kingdom of heaven.’ This statement is made in verses three and verse ten. This is why they are sometimes said to be bookends. Just like books between bookends are inside the bookends, the person who has the beatitudes is within the kingdom of heaven.     The followers of Jesus will be humble, verse three. They will be sorrowful for their sins, but will do what is necessary to have them taken away, verse four. They will be meek, verse five. This word in the Greek was used for the wild horse that was domesticated. The energy of the horse was harnessed toward proper work. The meek individual is not a pushover, wimpish person. The meek person is strong spiritually and uses his energy to glorify God.    The followers of Jesus constantly desire to feed and drink from the Word of God, verse six. Further, they are always able to find enough to be filled each time they eat. These people will be kind, compassionate and merciful, verse seven. They do not hold grudges and try to ‘get back’ at others. These people keep their hearts pure, verse eight. They …

Assemble Yourselves

“Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save” (Isaiah 45:20).     Most commentators agree that Isaiah 45:20-25 is a prophecy relating to the church. The passage tells of the glory of God. It tells that He is the one to be worshipped. It tells that all men have the responsibility to obey God. It tells that all who do not come to God and obey Him will be ashamed.     The word assemble in verse 20 comes from a Hebrew word that means assemble into a specific group. This word means more than just a simple assembling. There is a special purpose for the assembling. Those assembling realize that they are a special group.     Many today profess to be Christians. Yet, they say that it is not necessary to be part of a special group. They say that a person can be a part of one of many different groups and still be a child of God. However, that is not what this passage says. This passage says that those who are followers of God draw near to one another. They are part of a special group. If one can be a follower of God and be a part of any one of 1000 different groups, then one is not a part of a special group. One is just part of any group.    Desire …

A Servant Is Not Above His Lord

“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord” (Matthew 10:24). This statement was made by Christ to the twelve apostles. He had just given them power to perform miracles. He was sending them out to preach. They were to go only to Jewish cities.     He was telling them that as his disciples or apostles they should not expect to be treated any better than he had been treated. The Pharisees and Scribes followed him around (and continued to do so until His death). They constantly accused him of being from the Devil. In Matthew 9:32-35, they had done exactly that.     Later, Jesus was killed. The apostles were not to expect any better treatment. They taught the truth, but unfortunately, many individuals did not want to hear the truth.     Many professed Christians today need to consider this. Many today want to think that the life of a Christian is a bed of roses. Some preachers even preach that if one is a true Christian that he will be rich and live in luxury. They preach that all one’s material wants will be answered. Such is not true. A person may be very fortunate and be rich, but a Christian should not ‘expect’ any more than what Christ had. A Christian should not ‘expect’ to be treated any better than Christ was treated.     Christ did not have a permanent home in which to sleep during his three-year ministry. He was not believed by some …

A Centurion and His Slave

In Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10, we read about a Roman centurion who wanted Jesus to heal his servant. This centurion lived in Capernaum where Jesus made his home for some time. Peter’s mother-in-law lived there. Jesus performed several miracles in Capernaum.     Evidently, the centurion knew about Jesus. He may have personally heard Christ preaching and teaching. He knew that Jesus could perform wonderful things and was convinced that Jesus could heal his servant.    The elders of the Jews in Capernaum thought highly of the centurion. He had built them a synagogue. His friends thought highly of him because they also approached Jesus with a message from the centurion.     However, one of the most amazing things about the centurion was his concern and love for his servant. The Romans normally did not have much concern for a slave. Aristotle, talking about friendships that were possible in life, stated, “There can be no friendship nor justice towards inanimate things; indeed, not even towards a horse or an ox, nor yet towards a slave as a slave. For master and slave have nothing in common; a slave is a living tool, just as a tool is an inanimate slave.” Peter Chrysologus wrote that, “Whatever a master does to a slave, undeservedly, in anger, willingly, unwillingly, in forgetfulness, after careful thought, knowingly, unknowingly, is judgment, justice and law.”     The centurion was not the normal Roman slave owner. He was a man of exceptional compassion and love. He was a man of war and a man of power, but he …

Hidden of God

An interesting observation about the names of the 12 spies of Israel is that part of the message of their names was that they were hidden by the majesty of God. They were hidden by God as they spied out the land. Christians do not spy out lands like the Israelites did Canaan. We do not need that kind of miraculous hiding. Yet, there are ways that we need to be hidden by God.     Psalm 32:7, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” By obeying God’s laws, we keep ourselves from much trouble, and he will providentially take care of us.     Psalm 119:114, “Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word.” God’s Word helps shield us from the darts of the Devil.     Psalm 64:2, “Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the tumult of the workers of iniquity.” God will always provide a way of escape from temptation. He will protect us providentially.     Colossians 3:1-3, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” When we become Christians, we dedicate ourselves to Christ. We are dead to the old life and make our life like Christ’s. We are hidden with …

The Rod of God

In Exodus 4:20, we read, “And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.”    Earlier in the chapter, God had told Moses to throw his rod on the ground. Moses’ rod had become a serpent. Moses then grabbed it by the tail and it was once again a rod. God told him to perform this for the Israelites to convince them that Moses had been sent by God. In the above verse, Moses’ rod is called “the rod of God.”     We know that Moses is a type of Christ. There are so many ways that Moses gave a picture of Christ. This is another. Moses’ rod was made of wood. Christ’s rod is pictured as one of iron (it is not a literal rod of iron). This was an indication that Christ has authority of Judge and Punisher of those who would be his enemies.     In Psalm 2:9, the psalmist stated about Christ, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” In Revelation 12:5, Christ is again pictured, “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” And again in Revelation 19:15, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: …

Remain in Your Rank

There are differing ranks in military service. There are generals, corporals, sergeants, lieutenants, majors and other ranks. A person in a lower rank cannot go to a higher rank without being promoted. Those in higher rank must do the promoting. Those of lower rank cannot take it upon themselves to take on a higher rank.     Those of higher rank make the rules and regulations that the lower ranks must abide by. The lower ranks must obey the rules. If they do not obey the rules of their rank, they are disciplined.     The Thessalonians were told to warn the unruly. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, we read, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” The word ‘unruly’ comes from the Greek word for “out of the ranks.” The word was used of the soldier who did not remain in his rank.     Christians are spiritual soldiers. They have been given their regulations by which they are to fight the spiritual fight and by which they are to live daily. The regulations are the Bible. We must study and learn how God wants us to live. We must learn to do all that God commands.     Anyone who says he is a Christian but does not obey God is out of rank, and that person will be disciplined by God in the Judgment.     Learn what you need to do to live the life of a Christian. Obey …

Manna

In Exodus Chapter Sixteen, we read about the bread from heaven—manna. God gave manna to the Israelites for their food while they were in the wilderness. It is said that the manna tasted like fresh oil in Numbers 11:8. In Exodus 16:31, it is said to taste like honey wafers. It could be boiled, baked or ground. Even though it could be boiled, it melted in the sun. It spoiled after one day but kept for 2 days on Friday and Saturday (the people were not allowed to gather on the seventh day and had to gather 2 days worth on Friday).     God gave enough for each person to have an omer’s worth. An omer is close to 3 quarts. According to one estimate, this would come to 9 million pounds of manna per day. That would mean 1 million tons of manna per year! That is a very big number, and you may have to get an adult to explain just how much that is.     Some people have tried to say that God did not give manna from heaven. They try to explain that manna was simply something that a plant in the desert produces. This is silly. There is nowhere in the world where that amount of food is grown in the desert. Even if there were a plant that gave such amounts, it would not grow year round every day (except none was given on Saturday. So, the plant would have had to produce on every day …

Declare His Doings

The twelfth chapter of Isaiah is about the Christ and the salvation He would bring. In verse four, we read, “And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.”     When Christ had brought His salvation, people would be overjoyed. They would be thrilled to draw out of his spiritual wells. They would praise God continually, and they would declare Him among the people.     The word here for “declare” can be translated several different ways. It primarily means to know. To know His doings among the people would be to make known to all people what He had done. That would require teaching and preaching. Therefore, the disciple of Christ will tell other people about Him. They will not sit silent and never let others know about Him.     Unfortunately, many professed Christians never declare Christ among people. One reason they do not do this is that they do not know His Word, the Bible. They do not draw water out of the wells of salvation and therefore cannot share the water. They find no joy in studying His Word. Since they do not like to study, they also do not like to tell others about Him. They cannot tell others about His doings because they do not know themselves.     Make sure you study your Bible. Learn all you can from it. Then, joyfully tell others about it. Declare Christ’s …

Foxes in the Desert

In Ezekiel 13:4, we read, “O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.”     Israel had become very wicked. They still claimed to be the children of God, but they had no intention of following him. They listened to any false prophet that would tell them what they wanted to hear.     God says these false prophets are like the foxes. The foxes at that time tended to live in ruins. They would find rundown buildings that were not being used.     These false prophets were not concerned for the welfare of the people. They only spoke what they would get paid to say. Therefore, they spoke only the things the people wanted to hear.     The people would not have listened to these false prophets if their faith were strong. However, their faith was weak and broken down. This allowed the false prophets to move in just as the fox moved into rundown buildings.     Do not allow foxes to move into your faith. Study your Bible. Obey God, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Are You a Camel?

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, andso fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).     The camel is an interesting creature. Its name comes from the Hebrew word, Gamel, which means, “carries a burden.” Camels can carry loads equal to their own weight for short distances. The average camel weighs about 1200 pounds. Therefore, you can understand that a camel can carry a very large burden.     Camels have been used for a very long time in the Bible lands. In fact, they have been used for over 4,000 years to transport goods through the deserts. They are able to travel long distances in very dry environments. They are able to carry large loads while traveling.     Sometimes our brothers and sisters in Christ have very difficult loads to carry. These are not loads of physical things. These are mental, emotional and spiritual loads. These are the difficult trials of life. It is our responsibility to help them with these loads.     The Bible sometimes depicts this world as a wasteland or desert. As a good spiritual camel, we will help each other carry these difficult and heavy loads through the desert. We will help each other make it to the good land, Heaven. We will not be too concerned about how long the journey will be. We will be willing to help transport the load.     Study your Bible. Learn how to be a strong spiritual camel, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to …