War was first known in Heaven, not because it is holy, but because sin is so unholy. Revelation 12:7 says “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” The chapter also gives us the account of Satan bringing war to earth against God’s people. The history of Israel was marked with war, especially as you read the record of leaving Egypt and … Continue reading →
In 1923, my grandmother, Mary, was asked to be the maid-of-honor for her best friend’s wedding. As the wedding approached in her hometown near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mary wondered what the best man might be like. She had heard that Lou was also a recent immigrant from Czechoslovakia and also an available bachelor, but he wouldn’t be arriving until just before the wedding began. During the wedding, Lou, the best man, took a liking for Mary … Continue reading →
Hyphens are used to join two words that create a compound word with a two part meaning. We could say that I am an Italian-American. I don’t say that because I feel like being American has a great enough significance and I don’t want to cheapen being an American by making it share the stage with my Italian background. I could still use the term Italian-American though, because we understand the immigrant heritage of America … Continue reading →
The question is, What does 2 Peter 2:6 mean by Sodom and Gomorrah being an example of what will happen to the unsaved? This can be a puzzling verse for most Christians who have a picture of the unsaved burning throughout eternity in hell when the saved are enjoying the glory of heaven. However the verse and it’s parallel passage by Jude have caused a lot of honest Bible students to pause and think more … Continue reading →
Our church fellowship began on January 6, 2011, meeting on Sunday morning at a community room of a Ryan’s Restaurant on Rangeline Road near I-10 in Tillman’s Corner, Alabama. The manager allowed us to use the room at no cost if we ordered their buffet breakfast, which we did and enjoyed, but after several weeks we all seemed to have gotten our fill of that buffet. We moved our meetings to my house in West Mobile, … Continue reading →
The question is does 1 Timothy 2:12 prohibit a women from teaching or preaching if men are present? 1 Timothy 2:12 states, “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” Allow me to bullet point some considerations when seeking the proper interpretation and application of this verse for today’s local church ministry… • The book of Timothy is a letter written to Timothy … Continue reading →
Many years ago I officiated a wedding for a couple at a beautiful home within a gated community along the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida. When I arrived at the house the groom warmly greeted me and we walked inside and he graciously introduced me to some of their family. He then said that his bride wanted to talk with me as soon as I arrived, so one of the family escorted me to go … Continue reading →
I belong to a Facebook group of some 4000 small church pastors, and recently someone asked what “What would be your advice to a new pastor?” The first thought that came to my mind was “Study, study, study.” Then as I thought it over further, a slew of things came to mind, so here they are… • Study God’s Word, memorize God’s promises, and make your preferred Bible your personal friend by marking it up … Continue reading →
If we were to meet over coffee to talk about your hopes to plant a church, I would begin by asking you if you have developed a theology of pastoral ministry. A theology of pastoral ministry isn’t much different than having a theology of God or a theology of the return of Christ or any other conviction of biblical beliefs. Having a clear understanding of what you believe God wants from you as a pastor … Continue reading →
Here’s why I don’t think the seal of God is Sabbath keeping and why I don’t think the mark of the Beast is Sunday keeping. Let me begin with the arguments that my Adventist friends are familiar with…(I do mean friends. I still love you all and am still thankful that God lead me into a Seventh-day Adventist Church on June 13, 1981 in Toledo, Ohio. You have taught me to value the Word of … Continue reading →
We find the concept of the Seal of God in the book of Ephesians and in Revelation. There is a definite connection between the two books on the Seal of God. Let’s beginning by looking at Ephesians 4:30 where Paul says “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (ESV). In Ephesians 4:30 we are told that the sealing work is the work of the … Continue reading →
We find the concept of the Seal of God in the book of Ephesians and in Revelation. There is a definite connection between the two books on the Seal of God. Let’s beginning by looking at Ephesians 4:30 where Paul says “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (ESV). In Ephesians 4:30 we are told that the sealing work is the work of the … Continue reading →