Do You Not Care?

ByZach Crane

Have you ever found yourself in a tight spot?  One that appears dire and dangerous?  One that provokes intense fear and frustration as pressures firmly outside of your control begin to constrict you?  One that leaves you feeling abandoned and alone?  I know I certainly have.  In such circumstances, it’s easy to begin wondering whether God really cares, to assume that the apparent absence of immediate, tangible aid and intervention is proof He is not concerned.  If God is truly our mighty, powerful and loving Creator – if He really sees everything – wouldn’t He have pity and use His immense power and resources to help me in my time of desperate need?

Love and Compromise

ByLouis Garbi

The love of God determined that Christ depart the realm of glory to make Himself of no reputation. The result was redemption and a return to glory. It was done for our sakes. This was and is the supreme compromise. By following Jesus, we are clothed to reflect that great love.  We do this by finding a meeting point, a compromise with our neighbors in the world and with our family in Christ….

When We Fail

ByTad Morris

Failure is an inevitable part of the human experience. Everyone fails:  in small things and even in the biggest things. Some of these failures are inconsequential and easily forgotten, but failures in the spiritual life are not so simple. As we deal with these spiritual failures, understand that God is dealing with them too…

Hold the Traditions

ByCraig Carlton

Have you noticed how much society has moved on traditional beliefs such as marriage, or homosexuality, or even sin of any kind, in the last 40 years or so?  Sadly, it has been the wrong way.  What has happened?  Could it be that down through the years that not enough people have held to the traditions? Paul told…

Sabbath Lessons

ByCharles Fry

The word “sabbath” comes into English from a Hebrew word that means “rest.” The verb form, “to rest,” first appears at the end of the cosmic creation account in Genesis 2:2-3, informing the reader that on the seventh day God “rested from all his work.”The next time the scriptures mention a seventh day “rest” is in Exodus 16:23when…

Is Hell Necessary?

ByJohn Lee

Those of you reading this article probably already believe in the reality of both heaven and hell. Therefore, I enter this discussion not trying to convince you or answer the question, “Is there a hell?” Rather, I would like to consider a further question: “Why is there a hell?” Is it really necessary, and how…

One Thing

ByWade Stanley

Jesus uses crucifixion as a symbol for the sacrifice of self (“…let him deny himself, take up his cross,” Mark 8:34).  Jesus preferred for the Father to remove His cup of suffering but ultimately deferred to His Father’s will.  Jesus knew that in following Him we would face similar choices with eternity-altering outcomes.  He calls us to sacrifice what…

Did Thomas Really Doubt?

BySam Griffin

Happy wife, happy life. Slow and steady wins the race. The early bird gets the worm. There is a phrase for everything, for each and every part of our lives. We use them to describe things, explain things, or give them as life advice. One of the ones I heard growing up was “doubting Thomas.”…

Where I Am

ByJay Graham

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (John 12:26). Recently, I was discussing with a brother about how my life changed one afternoon in August of 1978.  I was in, what I noted later, was the last…

The Barren Fig Tree

ByJoshua Riggins

Mark 11:12-14, 20-24(also recorded in Matthew 21:18-22) presents an interesting event in Christ’s life. As morning came, Jesus was hungry. He saw a tree of opportunity and availed himself with the hope of satisfying the body’s needs. The fig was known for its sweet fruit (Judges 9:11), and so was a popular fruit among the people. …