Episodes

Who should give (and who should NOT give), how should we give, how much should we give, where should it be given

What is baptism?

Will it be secretly or sensationally, and will it be once or twice (or not at all)?

While some Bible students "spiritualize" the passages and images about the return of Jesus (they believe He will return by dwelling in hearts of people or perhaps through His people/Church influencing the world), here are three strong reasons from Scripture that Jesus will return personally and bodily to Earth 1. the integrity of Scripture requires it 2. the integrity of Jesus' words require it 3. the imagery of a wedding/marriage -- the prominent metaphor of Scripture of the relationship of God and His people (the Church) requires it.

The Bible has much to say about marriage, separation, divorce, remarrying after divorce, and living together

Growing your kids is a lot like growing plants. Here are a few quick tips 1. There are infinite varieties -- no cookie-cutter principles. Study your child. 2. They mature (bear fruit) at different times. Be patient 3. The best way to "water" is to let them soak up character in a home full of grace and truth 4. They grow best together. Crowd them with people. 5. Provide structure (support) that is not rigid, but primarily with good core values 6. Prune activities so they can grow in the areas that matter most 7,. Avoid seeing them as your trophies. That leads to all kinds of problems. Let them develop as God's trophies in an atmosphere of unconditional love. 8. Enjoy the journey. Parenting is TOUGH and AMAZING. 9. God doesnt give us kids so we will raise them, so much as so God can finish raising US.

People and churches fit into three groups -- pride, chide (that means to rebuke or scold), and guide. God's pattern in creation is one man, one woman, glued together for life (Genesis 2). Jesus and Paul repeated this. Since Genesis 3, mankind has gone off the rails in terms of God's pattern for marriage and for living well in general. The three words the Old Testament uses to describe this are sin (to fall short of God's standard), trespass (to stray outside God's appointed boundaries, and wickedness (to twist God's intended purposes) Chide Bible students and churches treat several passages in Scripture as strong rebukes toward same sex attraction and intimacy -- Genesis 19 and Romans 1 in particular. We look at how we need to see these passages in context. In a number of places, the writers state that attitudes and actions that are non-sexual in nature are equally sin, trespass, and wickeness, as is opposite-sex attraction and intimacy not done according to Go…

The Bible gives us much help and hope The Bible includes stories of suicides, stories of assisted suicides, and stories of suicidal people -- some of them BIG SHOTS in Scripture -- Moses, Solomon, Elijah Historically, the Church (Catholic and Protestant) have not done a very good job of communicating about suicide. The Catholic Church labeling all suicide a 'MORTAL SIN' that was not forgiven, while the Protestant Church not talking much about the topic at all. The Bible gives principles that help -- God is the giver of life and has the sole right to take it, and that taking it is sin However, it is a very broken world, and many who take their lives are in dire straights. The loss of HOPE is the primary factor in most who take their lives. When Jesus said, "Paid in full" (It is finished) on the cross, He meant sins -- past, present, and future -- were forgiven for those covered by His blood. That would include the sin of suicide. This act, while serious, does not ke…

Mary didn't know very much, actually. That she was giving birth to a great king promised from the line of David -- one who would rescue the Jews from their Roman occupiers, probably. But the Son of God come to save His people from their sins? Nope. And here is why... 1) The Jewish religious leaders didn't really understand that very well. They too were looking for a political rescuer. 2). The Disciples of Jesus who spent several years with him didn't know that. They tried to KEEP Jesus from going to the cross. 3.). Mary and Jesus' brothers came to him on at least one occasion to take him home for a bit of rest. That constant talk of "I came not to be served but to serve and to give my life a ransom for many" made them think Jesus had gone off the deep end. 4). The brilliant Old Testament scholar, Saul of Tarsus (would become Paul the Apostle), didn't know that aspect of the Messiah very well either until the lights began to come on after he had an encounter with Jesu…

Some churches encourage the use of sign gifts, others discourage the use, and some outright oppose it. Here are the reasons why... Sign gifts are such things as tongues, interpretation of tongues, words of prophecy or knowledge, healing. Sign gifts were prevalent in the Book of Acts / early church, then historically, were not prevalent. The movement, Pentecostalism, largely got rolling with the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles. Many of these "signs" seemed to occur over a period of months. Theologians pushed back, stating that when Scripture was complete, sign gifts ceased. They claimed what was being experienced as pyschological or even of the Enemy. Using a word picture, they closed the window to keep out the flies (abuses of the Pentecostals). In doing so, the Pentecostals claimed they kept out the Wind -- God's Spirit. Scripture does warn not to "grieve" or "hinder/quench" the Holy Spirit Some who are against sign gifts today allow for God to still …

Spiritual gifts are abilities God gives to each believer to be used to build up others in the local church They are a unique blend for each person -- kind of like God the artist mixes primary colors on a palet into a unique color for each believer. These are to be used on the paint-by-number ministry of each local church. They unite, never divide. They are for the benefit of others, not ourselves. They may be similar to natural talents, but may not. What matters most is they are empowered by the Holy Spirit working through us. No gift is more important than the other. In fact, the gifts we tend to think are less important (serving, perhaps) according to the Bible are MORE important. These can sit dormant in believer who don't use them. However, we will be held responsible for their use, and Scripture at least hints they can be removed by God for lack of use. According to Eph 4, God also gives "gifted people" to the Church such as pastors and teachers -- people w…

Bible Questions: Are Christians judgmental? Six "bumper pads" laid down by Scripture to keep Christians in the God-honoring lane when dealing with difficult issues in our world.

Bible questions: How many soils are "saved?" Wrong question. The right question is, "What soil does Jesus want EVERYONE who goes all in to be?" (That answer is EASY)

Bible Questions: Can I lose my salvation? Maybe you CAN, but is it possible because of God's power, promise, and love, you WON'T?

Bible Questions: What does "saved" mean and what are the indicators it has actually happened? Been wondering lately if the Lord is really in your life? Here are 10 fingerprints that He really is! As you read them (an the references I have included), don't be too critical of yourself. Remember it takes a whole lifetime to grow in Christ-likeness. And often, those who know the Lord the best and love the Lord the most feel the most unworthy. Yet, the Bible is clear that there are definite fingerpri...

Bible Questions: Are the functions of men and women in the Church interchangeable or complementary? The answer largely hinges on how churches interpret 1 Timothy 2: 11-15.

It certainly reports it! But after going cover-to-cover in the Bible, my students would say it moves us back toward what God intended for women in creation

Five areas God wants us to excel -- easy to remember by the five fingers on your hand...

No. We are finite, and we need to make choices on what things to do A+ well, what things to do just C- okay and what things not to do at all

Bible Questions: I am going to go with NO. It never accomplishes God's purposes. Normally we don't understand the person or the complexity of the issue, and our motives are often askew. The emotional fuse may get lit in us, but don't throw it at others.

Some things are very black and white in Scripture (please don't make them 'gray' even if on rare occasion in this broken world it turns a little gray). Many other things are gray for individuals. The New Testament letters, and in particular the letter of 1 Corinthians, gives us "flags" (principles) that help define "what is inside or outside of our yards" -- what is okay and not okay for individual followers of Jesus in areas not specifically approved or forbidden by Scripture.

God roped us together in community, so that the actions of one person impact many others. That is why we need to be concerned for the actions and wellbeing of others, but the Bible teaches us the WHO? the WHEN? and the HOW? of addressing harmful behaviors in the lives of others

It is bloody indeed, and here's why...

Animals are an important part of God's creation, God values them, and men and women were (are) assigned to be good caretakers. Cruelty to them demonstrates something is deeply wrong with us.