Have you ever looked at someone and just knew something was off? When you found out, did the thought of I KNEW IT! Come out of your mouth embarrassingly? Or worse, did you think someone was terrific, only to find out something else. Nothing is worse than finding out someone isn’t who they seem to... Continue Reading →
The motto of the Protestant Reformation was “Semper Reformanda,” reformed and always reforming. They didn’t say we had arrived. There is always a need to continue learning and growing. The change of yesterday leads to the change of today. The time of the Reformation taught men the necessity of the Scripture. Martin Luther saw a... Continue Reading →
If a verse in the Bible describes the Church today, it is the first verse of this week’s text. Jude 1:4 LSB “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master... Continue Reading →
When I look at America today, it is shocking to see what is going on in our nation. From the promotion of things of the most vile sort to corruption in all levels of leadership, the state of the nation can seem hopeless. But this post is not about that. As shocking as the state... Continue Reading →
Have you ever read or heard something that was so thought-provoking it was on your mind for days, weeks, or even months? That was me several years ago when I read several books by various authors. A repeated theme was rethinking Christianity; in these books, they invited the reader into conversations that challenged Christians to... Continue Reading →
As we come to the end of James’s letter, it is essential to review the entire chapter to rightly understand the last eight verses in the correct context. James chapter one deals with handling trials and temptations and the importance of doing what the Scripture says, not merely listening to it. Chapter two warns against... Continue Reading →
"Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 ESV Pride and haughtiness are characteristics of the age we live in; being proud is seen as a good thing, yet the Bible repeatedly condemns pride (Prov. 11:2, Js. 4:6, 1 Jn. 2:16, Prov. 16:5). We take pride in our accomplishments but... Continue Reading →
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13 ESV When we talk about the armor of God, it is customary to hear the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit get most of the emphasis.... Continue Reading →
I woke up at five this morning and had thoughts of the blood of Jesus. It seemed unusual to me to be thinking specifically about the blood of Jesus so early in the morning. My next thought was that I should read Spurgeon's book on the power of the blood today. I got my phone... Continue Reading →
As James begins to wrap up his letter, he circles back to the subject of endurance he started with; in chapter one, James spoke about the necessity of enduring trials and how we grow through them. In chapter five, he talks about enduring harsh treatment and persecution. In the Church today, there is much emphasis... Continue Reading →
Today, as I was reading 1 Corinthians chapters one through five, a few verses from chapter three caught my attention. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 ESV "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon... Continue Reading →
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV "“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Throughout the... Continue Reading →
There goes another one, I think to myself, each time I read of another celebrity Christian deconstructing their faith. Why do people deconstruct? There isn’t one reason, and each person has their own story. Deconstruction is all about the story. I’m not going to respond as other people have reacted; many will say I need... Continue Reading →
Last week in our James study, we talked about the importance of humility as we approach God. As we finish chapter four this week, we will look at our relationship with other believers; and the importance of depending upon God. James 4:11-12 ESV "Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against... Continue Reading →
I frequently post on the importance of Bible study, going deeper into the text, and reading old books. But today, I want to give you some tips to help you read the Bible devotionally. Typically when we think of devotions, we think of a plan on the Bible app or reading a Devotional book. While... Continue Reading →
Casey D. Bell 