Just as we have numerical terms to indicate how often something occurred (i.e., once, twice, etc.), so there is in Greek.  Paul said he was stoned “once” (2 Cor. 11:25); the high priest went into the Most Holy Place “once” every year (Heb. 9:7); it is appointed for man “once” to die (Heb. 9:27).  But this Greek word for “once” (hapax) also…

Psalm 71 is abundantly wealthy in its description of what God has done and continues to do for man and in its clear explanation of our proper response.  The psalmist begins by saying, “In You, O Lord, I put my trust.”  How deeply had the psalmist (and should we) put trust in the Lord?  Notice these vivid and fervent phrases used throughout…

God’s people had strayed from Him so far that He brought the Babylonian nation against them to punish them and take them captive.  God sent Jeremiah to tell the Jews why they had fallen and to warn them against letting it happen again.  One of their biggest downfalls were those men who were supposed to be teaching them God’s truth.  Instead, look…

We are commanded in Scripture to “encourage one another” (1 Thess. 5:11).  Usually, I suppose, when we think of encouraging each other, we probably contemplate the right words that need to be said at the right time.  However, sometimes encouragement comes without a word being spoken. Non-verbal encouragement (at least for me) can include:  a little smile, eye contact, a genuine hug,…

There are loads of examples of folks in the Bible who did not handle their trials, tribulations and persecutions very well.  Yet, on the other hand, there are myriads of examples of those who handled difficulties in a most excellent way.  Consider what Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica: “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it…

Rather than knowing what they think or believe for themselves, and rather than acting on what they personally believe to be true, too many individuals look to others in order to decide what they should think and what they should do.  Politicians check the polls, the media checks with politicians, teens check with their friends, parents check with their kids, employees check…

Who would have ever thought it?  The highest leader in our nation, holding a position that many people call “The Most Powerful Office in the World,” has come out of the closet on his favorable views regarding homosexual marriage (not only voicing his opinion but seeking to capitalize on it).  His exacts words were, “For me personally, it is important for me…

Do you remember when you (or your child) needed training wheels on the bike to learn how to ride and to keep from falling over?  How long did you use them?  Did you take one wheel off, but leave one for safety and balance?  At what point did you finally remove both training wheels and go without them?  What if you were…