Laboring In The Lord

The Persecuted Church “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: “The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says: 9 I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a… [Continue Reading]

A Noble Task This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, (1 Timothy 3:1-2, HCSB) We are going to look at the qualifications for some church offices or positions. I think these qualities are desirable in every… [Continue Reading]

James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings. (James 1:1, HCSB) 1:1 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you consider yourself a slave? I think most of us struggle with that concept. Perhaps we would prefer to be know as servants of God.… [Continue Reading]

Pray For All People First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,4… [Continue Reading]

A Full Circle Many moons ago I came to the conclusion the the best way to study the Bible is to study it for yourself. So I got a commentary and some tapes on the book from the church that I attended and began a pursuit that continues even to this day. Surely, the way… [Continue Reading]

One Minus And Three Pluses The Minus For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV) To me, this is one of the truly great promises of God in Scripture. Over the course of the next few days, I… [Continue Reading]

The Loveless Church Part 1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.… [Continue Reading]

The Seven Churches Of Revelation Here again is our working outline (see Revelation 1:19): Write the things which you have seen. This seems to refer to chapter 1. the things which are. This appears to have chapters 2-3 in mind. and the things which will take place after this. This seems to correspond to chapters 4-22. This second… [Continue Reading]

Introduction To 1 Timothy 1 Timothy is the first of three letters (2 Timothy and Titus) which are known as the Pastoral Letters. These are letters Paul sent to his two disciples, Timothy and Titus. These letters contain valuable information about ministry and church structure. So, if you are interested in the things of the… [Continue Reading]

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, (Revelation 1:1, NKJV). 1:1 In all the anticipation that can go into a study of prophecy, it is easy to miss the essentials. This first three words… [Continue Reading]

I have tried several times to do a commentary on Revelation. The first one sounded like a seminary lecture. The second try was not that bad, but it was not going in the direction I wanted it to go… Most people believe Revelation is a difficult book to study. Most days I agree. But I… [Continue Reading]

Do Not Exalt Yourself! Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the… [Continue Reading]