“Is there anything worse than hell?” Recently I was in a meeting at work discussing a major dilemma when someone referred to it as “hell”. Whimsically, the person asked “Is there anything worse than hell?” which created quite a bit of laughter. I laughed along but then turned serious when I realized that there really is nothing worse than hell. It’s eternal,…
To make all men see….. Ephesians 3:9
To make all men see….. Ephesians 3:9
Study Articles
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, Acts 13:9
This verse illustrates one of the most amazing and wonderful works of God in all of history. Saul, the blasphemer, becoming Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles marked a distinct change in God’s dealings with man. In considering Paul’s own statements as recorded in his epistles and by Luke in the book of Acts we will learn more about this marvelous truth.
Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” How one looks at this verse determines their world-view. If it is believed, then the truths of the Bible can be comprehended and internalized. If one doesn’t believe this verse, the entire Bible is just a bunch of myths and stories. How can that be? First, if it is not…
All too often we slip into “poor me” mode. You don’t get a parking spot near the door of the store when it’s raining. You got 30” of snow and you have to shovel because your snow blower isn’t working. You find out you owe $500 in taxes that you didn’t expect. You rush in the door hands full of packages to a ringing phone… and it’s a telemarketer!
Or, maybe it’s something more serious. Like you lost your job and the bills are piling up. Or a dear friend has been diagnosed with cancer. Even more devastating is the loss of a loved one – especially when it’s a child or a younger person.
God has a purpose. It is a purpose that He conceived before the world began to be fulfilled in the dispensation of the fullness of times.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: . . . Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Ephesians 1:3,4,9,10
How in this world can we put a man on the moon,
And still have a need for a place like St Jude’s?
And why is one man born, In a place where all they know is war?
An’ a guy like me, Has always been free.
An’ how can two people who built a lovin’ home, Try for years an’ never have a child of their own?
When somewhere out there tonight, There’s a baby no-one’s holdin’ tight: In need of love.
To me, that don’t add up.
In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians he gives a heartfelt admonition to the Body of Christ.
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. II Corinthians 6:1
Paul’s beseeching of the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in vain reminds us of a very important aspect of our salvation. Our salvation frees us from the vain existence of fallen man. Our salvation allows us to live with meaning and purpose instead of the purposelessness of our natural existence.
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. II Timothy 2:22
In this passage we see Paul’s admonition to Timothy to grow in his maturity in the faith. Later in his letter he points Timothy to the source of that maturity.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16,17
You know how you read something that really “hits home”? Well, this is one of those exact things. It was so long ago that I don’t even remember where I saw it. But I cut it out. That’s right folks… not in a facebook post, not in an email or on a website but a physical piece of paper – imagine that! As you’ll read though, you’ll know it wasn’t so long ago that there weren’t computers – I’m old but not THAT old! Anyway, it was such a memorable piece that I laminated it and kept it. I’m sharing it with you, hoping that you’ll find it as precious as I have. It was written by Terry Helwig.