JESUS’ JEWISH NEIGHBORHOOD–Part 2
GREEK THOUGHT VS. HEBREW THOUGHT In Part 1 we began our study of Jesus’ Jewish Neighborhood by looking at the importance of context when studying the scriptures. We learned that we must never forget that the Bible is essentially a Jewish document. Therefore, studying...
JESUS’ JEWISH NEIGHBORHOOD–Part 1
By Bill Venard Author Ken Bailey is a prominent biblical scholar, known for his insights into the gospels based on his long familiarity with Middle Eastern culture and languages. He was once asked the question, “why is it important to study the Jewish roots of...
Be The Difference — Lesson 11: “Warning: Deal Quickly With Discouragement”
Elijah was the man of the hour. He courageously and fearlessly confronted King Ahab and the 850 false prophets on Mt. Carmel. He trusted God, prayed and fire fell from heaven. Then he prayed a short time later and skies that had been cloudless, suddenly filled with...
Be The Difference — Lesson 8: Pursue Personal Holiness (excerpt)
God’s Central Attribute The holiness of God is the central attribute of all of His attributes. All of His attributes reflect His holiness. His wisdom is a holy wisdom. His power is a holy power. His faithfulness is a holy faithfulness. His goodness, justice, mercy,...
Be The Difference — Lesson 7: Hate Your Sin (excerpt)
Maybe you have never given much, or any, thought to what it means to hate your sin or why. Let me give you five reasons why you must hate your sin. First, the simple answer is because God hates sin. We must learn to hate what God hates and love what God loves. God...
Be The Difference — Lesson 6: Practice Repentance Daily (excerpt)
About one hundred fifty years ago, a man named Charlie Peace was arrested and convicted of murder. He was sentenced to die in Armley Jail in Leeds, England. On the morning of his scheduled execution, he slowly walked behind the prison chaplain on his way to the...
Be The Difference — Lesson 4: Rely On God’s Power (excerpt)
In an article from “Spirit of Revival” magazine, from years ago, the author Del Fehsenfeld, Jr. stated four reasons why we don’t have a divine fire burning in our lives and churches today: Reason 1: Because we don’t think we need it. According to the author, we are...
BE THE DIFFERENCE – Lesson 3: Set God Honoring Goals (excerpt)
It’s been said that of all the great tragedies that occur to men and women everywhere, the greatest tragedy of all is that of a wasted life. There’s a story I came across, which you may have heard, about a man that found an eagle’s egg and put it into the nest of a...
BE THE DIFFERENCE – Lesson 2: Live In God’s Presence (excerpt)
The following is an excerpt from “Be The Difference” “We should fix ourselves firmly in the presence of God by conversing all the time with Him…we should feed our soul with a lofty conception of God and from that derive great joy in being his....
BE THE DIFFERENCE – Lesson 1: No Compromise (excerpt)
Excerpt From “Be The Difference” The Gallup Organization has regularly conducted polls on various aspects of religious life in America. In 2017 they asked Americans, “Would you describe yourself as a ‘born-again’ or ‘evangelical’ Christian?” 42% answered...