“What does it mean 'to live is Christ' (Philippians 1:21)?”……Philippians 1:21 says, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Most people focus on the second part of the verse, "to die is gain," and contemplate the joys of heaven. But we should not overlook what comes before. The importance of […]

“Why is sexual purity so important?”……God gave man and woman the joy and pleasure of sexual relations within the bounds of marriage, and the Bible is clear about the importance of maintaining sexual purity within the boundaries of that union between man and wife (Ephesians 5:31). Humans are well aware of the pleasing effect of […]

Walk by Faith… 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Although this verse appears in parentheses in the King James Bible, it is a most important concept in Scripture and is the summary of an extensive passage which precedes it. Beginning with 2 Corinthians 4:8…We are pressed on every side by […]

We Can Know that We Know Him 1 John 2:3 "And we can be sure (know) that we know him if we obey his commandments". The apostle John’s vocabulary in his gospel, epistles, and even in Revelation is quite distinctive. The verb “know,” for example, occurs more in John than in any other gospel, and […]

Paradoxes of the Scriptures Next Step Devotion……Many of the key teachings of Jesus on spirituality are expressed in paradox. A paradox is a statement that on first glance is wrong, but upon closer thought reveals a deeper spiritual truth. This can prove a stumbling block for many non-believers when approached with the sovereignty of God’s […]

Trust in the Lord: Keep Your Balance……By Jim Allen……Kennedy was aware of the weather forecast before undertaking the 2-hour flight from New Jersey to Martha’s Vineyard in July 1999. The forecast was good for visual flying conditions with visibility of six to eight miles. There was no warning in the forecast about the haze developing […]

Seek First the Kingdom…Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The New living Translation says it this way "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." …This is the […]