Many have concluded that the book of Ecclesiastes presents a very dark and pessimistic message. It is understandable that such an opinion may be formed when the wise man Solomon begins his discourse with the declaration, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. …
How often do you think about heaven? We sing about heaven, we hear preaching about heaven, but how often do we really contemplate what it will mean to be there. We have all heard it said, “some people are so heavenly-minded that they are of little earthly use,” but the right mindset about heaven is …
“Rejoice greatly…Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon as ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass”(Zechariah 9:9). Many of the kings of earth have been tyrants who imposed great hardships on their subjects; but Zechariah the prophet tells us of …
Are you often grieved because of the violence that is rampant in our day? From the car bombers in Iraq to the frequent killings on the streets of the big cities of America, the acts of violence seem to be endless. Are you sometimes gripped by fear? Do you often wonder why God doesn’t intervene? …
It is assumed by many today that there is good in all religions. It is described like the spokes on a wagon wheel. There are many spokes but they all lead to the same hub. And so it is reasoned that there are many religious paths but they all lead to heaven. The test applied is sincerity. It is …
It is a difficult thing to lose your earthly possessions. Some wealthy men have been driven to total despair when they lost it all. But Job acknowledged that the Lord gives and takes away, and then bowed to worship. His body was covered with boils and his wife suggested that he curse God and die …
In responding to the question, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus says, “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark12:30). Our initial response to such a commandment …
by Tim Harris The first person God preached the gospel to was his archenemy. The very first good news of redemption for fallen sinners was addressed directly to the serpent himself—a guilty Adam and Eve standing by. Often called the protoevangelium, Genesis 3:15 is the “first gospel” of the Bible. …
By Tim HarrisThe Gospel of Matthew depicts Jesus, more than anything, as the long-awaited Messiah-King. John the Baptist prepared the way of the king, proclaiming: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (3:2). Inaugurating his own kingdom, Jesus announced the very same message (4:17). …
“Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). This verse has become one of the most frequently quoted verses in the Bible, but like some other frequently quoted verses it is often misinterpreted. Or if you declare that you believe the teachings of the Scriptures and you believe them because you …