The Oil Press of Gethsemane

“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives…Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here while I go and pray yonder.” – Matt. 26:30,36 Just hours before his crucifixion for the salvation of God’s people, Jesus went into the…

Intelligent Design or Random Chance

“And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.” – Exodus 32:24 During Moses’ time on Mount Sinai receiving the law of God, the Israelites had enticed Aaron to make them a new…

Beauty for Ashes

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me… To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting…

How Do I Get The Most Out Of Worship?

If nothing else, the church hopper culture in our society manifests that many people feel as though they are not satisfied with their worship experience. This is understandable at times. We are all humans and fluctuate within our own Christian walk. Unfortunately, most do not react in a proper fashion to the feeling of spiritual…

Addicted to the Ministry of the Saints

“I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)” – 1 Corinthians 16:15 As Paul begins his closing salutations in 1 Corinthians, he commends a very godly man, Stephanas, and his family for their service and…

Would You Still Go To Church, If?

In the gospel of John, our Savior explicitly names two problematic reasons why people followed him and solicits a third reason from his closest disciples (John 6:26,68). The first reason Jesus mentions is that people followed him because of his miracles (John 6:26). This can be broken into two subcategories. Some people followed him to…

Physical and Spiritual Prosperity

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2) John, in writing to his dear friend in the truth, Gaius, wishes him well regards and greetings. In particular, he desires and prays that Gaius would prosper and be in good health “even as thy…

Laodicea’s Problem

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17 The sin of Laodicea was more than just inactivity. This church was not only idle in their service to God, but they were…

Encouragement in the Lord

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” – 1 Samuel 30:6 This verse is given to us in the aftermath of an Amalekite raid upon David…