Tag: God’s Kingdom
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Ministry through Work
Introduction A question often asked by new believers is whether God would call them to full- time ministry. In their enthusiasm for their new beliefs, they wonder if He wants them to preach the Gospel or lead a church somewhere. It turns out that most are not so called. They need to make a living… Read more
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Showers of Blessing
Introduction An over-all reading of the Bible shows that, geographically speaking, rain is a matter of vital importance to the land of Israel. It depended on seasonal rains for the crops to grow, the animals to drink, and the people to live in abundance. Isaiah and Ezekiel wrote of rivers in a dry land or… Read more
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Materialism AND Spirituality
Introduction Over the past few years, I have been listening to Bible teachers on YouTube and their own podcasts. They have brought a revolution to my mind concerning spirituality versus the Christian religion of my youth. I used to simply go to church and practice religious activities then live independently of the spiritual realm. Lately,… Read more
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To Conquer or Not To Conquer, That Is the Question
Introduction Earlier this week, I talked with a middle- aged man who told me about a young man he knew. This young man endured near failure to pursue his passion for building a brewery for his own beer. He overcame a troublesome partner and the near loss of his investments to succeed with his brewery… Read more
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Rapture Vs. Parousia: Which Will It Be?
Introduction Two fundamentally different viewpoints exist concerning the Second Coming of King Jesus at the end of time. One is the Rapture, the catching away of believers upon His return to meet Him in the air to take them to Heaven with Him. The other is the Parousia, translated as the “coming”, “arrival”, or “appearing”… Read more
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Tree of Good and… What?
Introduction Genesis 2 gives the second Creation story recorded in the Hebrew Bible. It is part of the beginning of the whole Bible narrative that explains why things are good… and bad… in the world. This story says the Creator rested Humanity in the garden He had planted in the delightful country of Eden. He… Read more
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Strategic Value of High Places in the New Testament
Introduction In a recent post, I wrote of the strategic value of high places in the Old Testament. I explained these as intersections of Heaven and Earth, where the Creator met with people to further His plan to make the whole Earth like Heaven. This time, I want to explain how the Creator’s Son embodied… Read more
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My Favorite Response Is “Yes”
Introduction I thoroughly enjoy occasions, especially in Bible study, when there is a choice between one perspective or another, and it turns out the best answer is “Both”. When asked to choose between two options, my favorite response is “Yes”. Who Is the Son of Man? Throughout the Hebrew Bible, from Genesis to Daniel, the… Read more
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What Is Right and Wrong?: Bring Others to Kingdom Morality
Introduction Throughout this series of blog posts, I have questioned people’s varied standards of right and wrong, instructed readers to not enforce their morality on others, encouraged the “strong in faith” to bear with those who are weak and to pray the work of Holy Spirit upon them. What is THE correct standard of right… Read more
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What Is Right and Wrong: Acceptance of Others’ Differences
Introduction One series of fantasy novels I read/ listen to often is centered around the Heralds and Companions of the Kingdom of Valdemar. These honest, others- serving Heralds answer to only the monarch of the realm, who also must be a Herald. They all, the monarch included, serve the various peoples of Valdemar, dispensing justice… Read more