The Problem of Pride – Gary Petty churchofgodnetwork.org
For so many there are times when life can feel exceedingly and unfairly cruel. This Blog highlights one such story of a Continental officer who faced a litany of perceived inequity. Justifying himself through the many personal sacrifices he made, this man turned on the once loved cause that he felt had now betrayed him. When viewing betrayal through pride, regard for others takes a…
Bring Every Thought Into Captivity – Jeremy Lallier lifehopeandtruth.com
This article addresses an interesting principle that cuts contrary to modern belief – bringing every thought into captivity. An idea that we are not subject to whatever enters our mind, instead we can rule over and control what we think about. Like the trick in trying to remove air from a cup the only way to remove unwanted thoughts is to fill the mind with…
“Cults” and Real Christianity! – Dexter B. Wakefield thebiblesaysthat.com
To be labeled “cultish” today carries a similar stigma as being labeled a “heretic” in the third and fourth century…minus the horrific torture and death. These terrifying labels purposefully sway many from questioning mainstream orthodoxy. Rightly so especially for those living under the fear of torture and death. In today’s world, to be thought of as “part of a cult” or “cultish” carries an extreme…
The Queen of May – Adam J. West tomorrowsworld.org
It’s quite interesting and telling to consider how many modern “Christian” holidays and traditions have their origins rooted deep in paganism. May 1, shares in this heritage. Many Roman Catholics in particular celebrate Mary, Jesus’ mother, as Queen of Heaven or Queen of May on this day. A title also held by the pagan goddess of fertility known as Diana by the Ephesians or from…
Public Schools and Teaching Character – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
Many within the US feel the public schools are failing today’s children. Increased taxes on average is affording around $10,000 per student, per year without the corresponding results. Actually, the opposite is occurring. Declining academic scores have been the trend resulting in a mass exodus from public schools by students and teachers alike. Many are also noticing a sharp cultural and moral decline in the…
The Path of Conviction – Tim Vail leadingtolife.org
Many today claim to believe God, but that belief has little influence on their behavior – living by preferences, not convictions. Standing for something because of what others do or don’t do, given to peer pressure, these beliefs are preferences, not convictions. As laid out in this article, belief without action is not conviction, it’s just a type of intellectual righteousness. What is biblical conviction?…
Judging Well – Jonathan McNair tomorrowsworld.org
Few would argue the social pressures on children at this time are relentless. Fortunately, brought out within this article, a child can learn to face these pressures. The parental role to teach and instruct their children is the intended ideal to fill this role. One lesson that is desperately needed by today’s youth is the ability to apply moral judgement, to recognize right from wrong…
Symbolism of Second Holy Day of Unleavened Bread Festival youtu.be
This is a 30 minute podcast group discussion about why there are two Holy Days in the Days of Unleavened Bread. The day maps to the Israelite’s crossing of the Red Sea. A greater symbolic meaning is addressed in Hebrews 12:2, where Paul said that we look “to Christ as the author and finisher of our faith”. He is the beginning or originator. He starts…
What Does It Mean to Turn the Other Cheek? – Jeremy Lallier lifehopeandtruth.com
The concept broached here, like so many, gain depth with a little clarification and understanding. To “turn the other cheek” is less about making yourself a doormat just like an “eye for an eye” was not about vengeance but more about legal protections. The best way to understand Christ, who sometimes spoke in hyperbole for emphasis, is to look at His and other examples. In…
What Is Mardi Gras? Should Christians Celebrate Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday)? ucg.org
Mardi Gras, also known as Shove Tuesday, is a name of near instant recognition. It is associated with excess in everything from eating and drinking to scant clothing and illicit behavior. Built within the celebration is the idea of sinning heartily before deciding to do anything about it. That’s why Mardi Gras is followed by Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Lent,…
The Secret Is Showing Up – Jeremy Lallier sabbaththoughts.com
For readers of this article the title sums it up quite nicely. The overarching theme is something we each face in one way or another. Life happens and the struggles there of, we become overwhelmed, and our spiritual obligations are neglected. We often justify the lapse because we can’t give it our best effort. What we fail to see is so often those times we…
How To Study Your Bible – Richard F. Ames thebiblesaysthat.com
Arguably the Bible is the most important book ever written. Within its pages is the meaning and purpose of life, principles for true success, fulfillment, happiness, and health. It explains why our world is in such confusion and danger and reveals the very plan of God. Daniel Webster, congressman and Secretary of State under Presidents Harrison, Tyler and Fillmore made the dire national warning “if…
A Day of Lust, Not Love – Martin G. Collins cgg.org
Valentine’s Day has become widely accepted by the religious and non-religious as a day to celebrate their significant other. For most its history is unknown or dismissed as unimportant in its currently celebrated state. To those that profess to follow God, its origins shouldn’t be so easily dismissed. Historically it’s often traced to the Roman festival Lupercalia. This festival honored the god Lupercus. Lupercus, like…
Vaccine Policy – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
To take the jab or not is a very divisive issue in our modern culture and Covid 19 has really turned the heat up on personal opinions and attitudes. One of the main reasons for such a sharp polarity is the sheer volume of information that has been offered up so “authoritatively” in clear support of either taking the jab or not. Who is a…
6000 Year Old earth? tomorrowsworld.org
One common misinterpretation of the Bible is that the earth is only about 6,000 years old. To get the complete story, it helps to begin at the beginning, at least the Bible verses that describes a time before creation itself. 1“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God… 2 He (the Being that became Jesus [John 1:14]) was in the beginning with…
Fulfillment of the Law – Tim Vail leadingtolife.org
One modern accepted belief by mainstream Christianity is that the entirety of the Old Testament points to Jesus and therefore was nullified at His death. This approach misses the purpose of the law, seeing it as just legal requirements. What is lost is that, like Christ, the law pointed to the very mind and character of God the Father. The law is not opposed to…
Christ Our Passover cgi.org
This article explains why Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread are relevant to modern-day Christians, and gives helpful guidance on how to observe them. God (the Word who would become Christ) instituted the Old Testament Passover when Israel was enslaved in Egypt. The blood of lambs was the symbol by which the Israelites were protected when the angel of death “passed over”. Thus, the…
What Truth Are You Afraid Of? – Carmine Russo churchofgodnetwork.org
This author seeks to challenge the reader with facing hard truths. Truth is truth whether we believe it, like it or ignore it and the same could be said of its source. Hard truth, that which challenges you or maybe makes you feel uncomfortable should not be feared. In fact, that is the very truth we should seek out because to avoid it is to…
What Is God’s Family Model? – Jerold Aust ucg.org
Has the traditional family model changed in our time? How many families exemplify the biblical characteristics of family relationships? What makes a family stable and successful? Many people look to popular entertainment to define the typical family, and that industry drives perceived family values. In the past, that model mirrored some of the values found in the Bible, but now increasingly embraces “alternative” family structures,…
Amazing Grace – John Ritenbaugh cgg.org
God gives us grace so that we might stand before Him. Grace makes salvation possible. To say that grace is simply a “gift” is woefully inadequate. 1) It is the single most important aspect of our spiritual and eternal salvation, and 2) God’s giving of it to us is completely unmerited. Even though grace is the foundation for good works, the good works, by themselves,…