What Is Spirit? – Steve Moody lifehopeandtruth.com
The Bible presents God as a spirit (John 4:24), and angels are also spirits (Hebrews 1:13-14), suggesting that the entire spirit realm is composed of spirit, unlike the material world, which is made up of matter. This means that everything associated with God’s presence—including His throne (Ezekiel 10:1) and the heavenly sanctuary represented by the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:17,…
Godly Church Governance – Brian Orchard leadingtolife.org
Church governance has often been shaped by human interpretations, with many systems reflecting autocratic, top-down authority. Historically, the Church adopted this style of leadership, which led to a “lordship” model of governance. This approach, while logical from a human perspective, contrasts with God’s governance, which is modeled on His family structure: authority flows from the Father to the Son, and then to human leaders. A…
Sabbath Day youtube.com
Imagine a world where just one of the Ten Commandments was prioritized. In this case commandment 4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. With just this one command society would transform. Being much more than just a break from work; this would be a chance for real connection. Every Sabbath would become a day to nurture relationships, uplift neighbors, and serve each other’s…
Road to Damascus: A Bible Contradiction? – Roger West lifehopeandtruth.com
The book of Acts provides detailed accounts of the early New Testament Church, including the dramatic story of Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle. Known as Saul in Hebrew, Paul was a relentless antagonist of the Church, intent on imprisoning believers. His authority from the Sanhedrin extended to Damascus, 140 miles from Jerusalem, where he pursued Christians with zeal, causing widespread fear. On the road…
Melchizedek youtube.com
There is an interesting connection between Jesus and Abraham in Scripture. In John 8, Jesus says, “Abraham rejoiced to see My day,” as though they were friends. Abraham knew of His coming and was glad. But how could Abraham have known Jesus? Let’s go back to Genesis. Abraham meets a mysterious figure: Melchizedek, the “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High.” Melchizedek blesses…
What Is Faith? ucg.org
God wants us to know Him and develop a relationship with Him, offering assurance of His plans for us now and in the future. His Word reveals that godliness benefits all aspects of life, both present and eternal (1 Timothy 4:8). Yet, there’s a critical distinction between merely believing in God and truly believing God. Believing in God acknowledges His existence. Many people do this,…
God’s Name in Vain youtube.com
Imagine a world where the universally accepted standard is to never take God’s name in vain. What would that look like? How would it transform our world? At its core, this commandment isn’t just about avoiding blasphemy or disrespectful speech. It’s about humility—living in a way that reflects God’s character, truth, and love in every word and action. If society embraced this command, we’d see…
Lucifer youtube.com
Before he was Satan, meaning “adversary,” Lucifer was a high-ranking angel, known as the “shining one.” As an anointed cherub, he served near God’s throne, perfect in wisdom and beauty (Ezekiel 28). But pride corrupted him. He sought to exalt himself above God, leading a rebellion and convincing a third of the angels to join him (Isaiah 14). Cast down from heaven (Revelation 12), he…
The Church Through the Ages – John H. Ogwyn tomorrowsworld.org
The Church that Jesus Christ built has faced challenges throughout history, as depicted in Revelation 2 and 3, where Christ addresses the seven churches of Asia Minor. These churches symbolize both literal first-century congregations and different periods of Church history. The first, Ephesus, represents the Apostolic era, where the Church struggled with false teachings and lost its zeal after Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD. Smyrna,…
Creation Story youtube.com
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) All that was created was created by the Word, who later became Jesus Christ. (John 1:1) As God laid the foundations of the earth, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” (Job 38:4-7) All was very good! (Genesis 1:31) But then, something happened. The earth became…
Is Thanksgiving Rooted in a Biblical Festival? – Mario Seiglie ucg.org
Did you know the first Thanksgiving in the U.S. shares striking similarities with the biblical Feast of Tabernacles? While the Pilgrims didn’t intentionally observe this biblical festival, both celebrations share a spirit of gratitude to God for His blessings. Both take place in autumn and center on thanking God for a fruitful harvest. The Pilgrims, deeply rooted in biblical teachings, were profoundly influenced by the…
The Seven Churches: What Now? – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
Internal biblical evidence indicates that the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 represent attitudes and conditions within God’s church throughout history, culminating in the end time. Revelation’s focus on the Day of the Lord (Revelation 1:1, 10) underscores this conclusion. The prevalent attitude of the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:14-22), marked by spiritual indifference, mirrors conditions today as Christ’s return approaches. As the church undergoes scattering, what…
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible? – Tom Clark and Erik Jones lifehopeandtruth.com
In Genesis 14, we meet Melchizedek, the “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High.” He blesses Abram after his victory and receives a tithe from him, offering bread and wine—a gesture echoed in the New Covenant Passover. Though Genesis mentions Melchizedek briefly, his significance unfolds in Psalms and Hebrews. Psalm 110:4 prophesies a Messiah who will be “a priest forever according to the…
In Democracy We Trust? – Wallace G. Smith tomorrowsworld.org
2024, labeled by some as the “Year of Democracy,” will see more voters globally than ever before. As nearly 64 countries hold elections, democracy’s future is being fiercely debated. Yet, despite its growth, we face significant concerns about its stability. As political leaders like Kamala Harris and Donald Trump warn of democracy’s decline, a crucial question remains: Is democracy worth saving? Historically, democracies have struggled….
Idolatry youtube.com
What if just one of the Ten Commandments became a universal standard? Let’s explore the second commandment—rejecting idolatry. Idolatry isn’t just about statues and images; it’s about what controls us. We all submit to something—whether it’s money, power, comfort, or technology. As Paul says in Romans 6:16: “You are slaves of the one you obey—whether sin, which leads to death, or obedience, which leads to…