Daniel and his three friends were taken as teenagers from their home in Jerusalem and forced into a three-year training program to serve before King Nebuchadnezzar in the foreign (and pagan) land of Babylon. Yet, even as a teenager, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” with the king’s food (Dan. 1:8). The Bible does not tell us the exact…

It’s disheartening sometimes that we have allowed certain religious groups to redefine how we use Bible words. The word “saint” is one such word. In some circles, a “saint” is one who lived a highly virtuous life and has been responsible for two posthumous miracles. Others think of a “saint” as some perfect person and will exclaim at times, “Don’t look at me!  I’m no…

Jesus lived a short life of 33 years. His ministry on earth lasted only three-and-a-half years. Yet, think of all that He accomplished. How did He do so much in so little time? In His dying breath, He proclaimed, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus had “finished the work which [the Father had] given [Him] to do” (John 17:4). Similarly, the apostle Paul reached the end of…

Most have heard the story of the Spanish Conquistador, Hernán Cortés, who landed in Mexico in 1519 and was determined to take the land. To motivate his army to march forward and fulfill their task, the story goes that Cortés ordered the ships to be burned. The means by which they arrived was eliminated as a means by which they could leave. Retreat was not…

When you think of a banquet, what comes to mind? Do you think of a great time, with great people and great food? If you were given the choice (when it comes to a nice banquet), would you rather (1) be served at a table or be the one serving? (2) eat a delicious meal or prepare and serve the meal? (3) drink an…

It is important for young people and young couples (although it is not exclusive to those who are young) to understand and appreciate the difference between (1) loving the fact that someone loves you and (2) actually being in love with someone (exclusively) to the point of wanting to put him/her and his/her needs above your own for the rest of your…

When the prodigal son returned home, the Bible says that his father was “glad” when he saw him (Luke 15:32). Imagine those emotions. After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to His apostles and showed them His wounds, and the Bible says that they were “glad” when they saw him. Imagine those emotions. After we have suffered for the cause of Christ and He returns in “His glory,”…

The story of Adam and Eve sinning against God in Genesis 3 is no doubt the saddest (and most universally devastating) story in all of the Bible. God let the woman (3:16) and the man (3:17-19) know what their physical punishment would entail. Then the text says that “God sent him out of the garden…So He drove out the man” (3:23-24). I remember as…