It is of utmost importance that we remember that Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit in personal terms – as an individual rather than as an influence or substance. Unfortunately, many people today see Him as an influence rather than a person with whom we are to develop...
It is of utmost importance that we remember that Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit in personal terms – as an individual rather than as an influence or substance. Unfortunately, many people today see Him as an influence rather than a person with whom we are to develop...
A Promise to Believers John the Baptist had promised that Jesus would baptize His followers in the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 1:5) Certainly the disciples anticipated this baptism in the Holy Spirit every day during their three...
The Holy Spirit A Key Element in Jesus’ Life When Jesus’ disciples saw Him praying, they realized that there was something really different about the way He prayed; so they asked Him to let them in on His secret. (Luke 11:1) He began with a simple explanation...
Of all the pieces of literature ever written, certainly the book of Revelation – the Apocalypse – is the richest source for clues and hints as to the end times, but it is interesting that the book opens with a very poignant section that addresses life leading up to...
Where Can We Look in Times Like These? In what seems almost symbolic, one of my study Bibles is coming apart at the seams with a total break at II Peter chapter three. The result is that the book naturally flops open at this particular passage as if to purposely...
Once we begin to get our focus on the things that really matter about the end times, we will begin to think a lot more soberly about the times in which we live and will have less and less focus on the sensationalistic approach that many apocalyptic teachers try to...
The End Is Near! Or Is It? As my wife and I were busying ourselves about the kitchen one day, she asked me to check the time. Looking up at the read-out display on our microwave that serves as our kitchen clock when it is not in use, I responded, “It’s the end...
In Earth as it is in Heaven Almost anyone in leading another individual to the Lord in salvation will include some phrase of surrender in which the new convert dedicates his life to serving the Lord; however, most of them will then walk away without attempting to...
The Body One of the suggestions I made early on in our study was to get involved in a local church. Some believers have difficulty with this advice because they feel that they can study their Bibles on their own, pray privately, and have their individual relationships...
Not Just an Influence Throughout much of history, the Holy Spirit was seen as basically a doctrine of the church. He was not seen as a person who was active in the life of the church. Today, there is a danger that the Holy Spirit may be seen as just an influence. ...
Just a Little Talk with Jesus Prayer is a much-misunderstood concept. A few humorous stories might help us get the point of how radically in error we can be when thinking of prayer. Two Russian cosmonauts were in outer space when something went wrong with their space...
Redefining Faith There was desperation in his voice as he addressed me, “Brother Delron, I can’t believe in the faith movement any more!” From there he launched into an extensive monologue about the “word and faith” doctrine, citing one problem after another that he...
God’s Unique Book The Bible is the most extraordinary book that has been written in all of human history. Through history, it has been outlawed, confiscated, and burned by the thousands of copies. Armies have marched in attempts to destroy it. Whole organizations...
Why the Crucifixion? When I first heard of Mel Gibson’s plan to produce the movie The Passion of the Christ, I began following with avid interest every news article I could find about the film, and I wasted no time in getting to the theater to see it as soon as it was...
The Road to Rome An old adage says that all roads lead to Rome, and there may have been a time when all roads did lead to Rome; but this is not true anymore. I have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles in all fifty states and on every continent in the Northern...
Just in case you haven’t heard – fad diets don’t work. We’ve all seen them – the people who lose a tremendous amount of weight and then suddenly “find” it all again. In fact, I remember one evangelist who came to preach at our church on a fairly regular basis. On...
Practicality! Now, that’s an interesting – even challenging – concept when thinking of the Bible. All too often, we respond in entirely impractical ways when we read the Bible. We see that we are supposed to love everyone – neighbors and enemies included – and become...
I’m sure that the title to this lesson has left many readers puzzled – questioning if it is not redundant to have a chapter on meaning following the chapter on understanding. Perhaps the best way to address the issue is with a story. Daniel chapter five records the...
Once you have decided which Bible you are going to study and made the determination in your heart that you are going to be the plot of the fertile soil that Jesus referred to as becoming productive when it received the Word of God, the first step to getting some...