Not far from Christ's manger, shepherds kept watch over their flock. The Good Shepherd was first a baby in a manger, surrounded by animals. Mary pondered the events of the following hours in her heart. The baby in the manger was announced years later as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of... Continue Reading →
I want to know Jesus better, and I want to obey Him more consistently; this is the desire of the Christian. We all want to grow closer to the Lord, and we are all at varying levels in our relationship with Him. Each of us has different things that trip us up. What is tempting... Continue Reading →
"When Abram was 99 years old, Adonai appeared to Abram, and He said to him, “I am El Shaddai. Continually walk before Me and you will be blameless." - Genesis 17:1 TLV From the moment I woke up this morning, I have been thinking about the phrase, “walk before Me and be blameless.” I wonder what Abraham thought... Continue Reading →
They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 Night shall be no more, and people will have no need for lamplight or sunlight—for Adonai Elohim will shine on them. And they shall reign forever and ever! - Revelation 22:4-5 TLV Today I finished my study in the book of Revelation, and I was left stunned at... Continue Reading →
This morning I read the story of Gideon asking God for a sign in Judges 6:36-40 TLV "Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to deliver Israel by my hand, as You have spoken, 37 see, I am putting a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and... Continue Reading →
“Did God actually say?” That is the question that brought the fall of man, and it is the same question that causes us to doubt the Word of God today. But as much as the enemy causes people to question what the Bible says, a little while after his initial question, God told him that... Continue Reading →
I read an article the other day and sat stunned, seeing the most anti-biblical theology celebrated by pastors that I've seen in a while. Sure, the church in question is a "progressive Christian" church, but it didn't make the article's content any less jarring. The pastor's wife is a practicing porn star. In the article,... Continue Reading →
The other day I saw a quote that said something like the part of the Bible we would like to ignore is the part we need the most. In Matthew chapter seven, we read the words judge not, that you be not judged. And that's where most people stop. They don't want to acknowledge that... Continue Reading →
We cannot defend the truth unless we know it first. Acts 17:11 ESV "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." 2 Peter 2:1-3 ESV "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be... Continue Reading →
Last night, as I was lying in bed not thinking of anything in particular that I was aware of, these lines came to me; “My life is not my own and this world is not my home. Forsake things unknown there, we live for His glory alone here.” The thought made an impression on me, so... Continue Reading →
What comes to mind when you think of the word discernment? Is it angry basement bloggers? Someone with an ax to grind? Or is it, as one minister recently said, "someone who doesn't have the Holy Spirit but a relationship with the Bible, those people lead people to Hell." That little snippet right there shows... Continue Reading →
If God wrote you a letter, what do you think He would say? Would He thank you for serving in kid's church or for helping as a youth group sponsor? Would He commend you for opening your home for a weekly small group? After He listed your accomplishments and obedience, would it be followed by,... Continue Reading →
Do not love the world or the things in the world. Variations of this command appear throughout the New Testament. It is a straightforward command. Yet, as in days past, it is time to issue a call to holiness and Christlikeness in our day. Over the past several years, you have most likely heard the... Continue Reading →
As we come to the end of the book of Jude, we switch gears from recognizing and dealing with false teachers and their teaching, and we are given instructions on staying safe from apostasy and rescuing others from the grips of falsehood. Jude 1:20-25 LSB "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy... Continue Reading →
"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds... Continue Reading →
Casey D. Bell 