(Originally written November  2002) (Edited April 2022)   Introduction Most parents of children, under five-years-old, know that no matter how you teach them about right and wrong, bad and good, and other things, that they always find a way to get themselves into trouble. Some things could be classified as basic human instinct; curiosity mostly. But there are traits a child shows that can stem back to the parent themselves. How do we know? Why grandparents of course! Too many times I’ve talk to my mother about the way my daughters act and she’d always comment that I use to act the exact same way. It’s like revenge for them to see their children struggle with being parents themselves. Sometimes it can be a good thing to know that your children are like you, for if you know the things you did, you might anticipate the things they do.    Children and Sin One thing your children can’t inherit from their parents is s...

    Introduction You may have heard at one time or another someone say, “God has a plan for you!”. Of course, what they mean is that God has something special in mind for your life that He doesn’t have for another person’s life. But that’s okay because God has a plan for all kinds of people; a unique plan just for them. Unfortunately, this is contrary to scripture. In Acts 10:34, the apostle Peter states, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality .” The apostle Paul confirms this in Galatians 2:6, But from those who seemed to be something--whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man --for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. The good news, however, is that God indeed has a plan and it’s for everyone! As it is written in 1 Timothy 2:4, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.   God’s Plan for Saving Man Even before Genesis 1:1, God had a plan ready for a...

  Misuse of Jer. 29:11   Introduction Have you ever had this happen to you? You go through life and a string of negative things take place. And when you feel really low about your current situation, someone will come along and say something like, “Don’t worry, God has a plan for you!” Although God does have a plan, this is not what they mean. They make it sound like He has something in the works specifically for you and no one else. The verse, from scriptures, that they connect to this is Jeremiah 29:11, which says, For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (RSV) Is this what the prophet was talking about?   Out of Context As we stated, this is a sentiment given to those who are at a “low” in their life; laid off from work, in between jobs, a crisis at home, or tragedy within the family. Sometimes it might be encouragement for those arriving at the next step in their life; grad...

Poem written by Christopher Mentzer    Christ was born in a stable; That Day, in history, is lost. But for true education; To speak of your salvation, From the man who died upon the cross.   A child in a manger; Is innocent as you can see. He’s the King of Kings, With a shout, ‘Hosanna’, rings. A remission of sins in the man it will be.   Wise men came from afar, Bearing gifts to the young juvenile. But the gift He made, Is the life He gave, Upon the cross for every man, woman, and child.   Born of the House of David; The tribe of Judah is his lineage. The last of his ancestry, He completed his ministry, On the cross he said, “It is finished.”   To celebrate His birth is to no avail, It is counted naught but dross. But your edification, And eternal salvation, Comes from the man who died upon the cross.

    Introduction When someone asks how many days are left in the month, or year, you can go to a calendar and figure it out. The same with upcoming holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or other events. But when someone asks, “How many days until Jesus returns?” then you can’t go to the calendar. The same if someone asks how many days do you have left to live. You hope you can’t figure that out on a calendar. But in the long run, everyone has the same amount of time.   This website is defunct. What’s Wrong with Date Setting? Ever since Christ’s ascension back into Heaven (Acts 1:9; Dan. 7:31), people have attempted to predict His return in the Second Coming (1 Thess. 4:16). An example of this in history is as follows: People thought Christ would return on January 1, 1000. From the Library of Date Setting… This year goes down as one of the most pronounced states of hysteria over the return of Christ. All members of society seemed affected by the prediction t...

    Introduction Salvation is the most important aspect of the gospel as it makes us right with God and sets us on a path to heaven. However, when talking to different people about when one is saved, you’re going to get different answers. The alien sinner is one who hasn’t heard the gospel and has, therefore, alienated himself from God by his sin. This also includes those who are of the denominations. They’ll tell you that they are Christians; according to the bible, but if you talk with them long enough, you’ll see that their life does not conform to scripture. Below we have examples of those who say they are Christians and when they have become saved. There is also the example from scripture itself.   When You Say the Sinner’s Prayer This is one of the more frequent answers that people will give; usually after you “accept Jesus into your heart.” An example of this prayer is… "Jesus, I believe that you are the holy Son of God. I believe that you died on the...

  This week's lesson is a discussion on the necessity of baptism and the thief on the cross. This is from Bible Crossfire with Pat Donahue

  Introduction In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the apostle Paul wrote, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. If Christians believe this statement; that it’s from God Himself, then why do most go after books written by men? The Need for more Revelation? Over the last two decades or more people have been buying books written by denominational preachers looking for further inspiration in their lives. To most of them, they see the bible as no longer worthwhile here in the 21 st century. They wanted something more “hip” and “now” compared to a book written over two centuries ago. And these people are not picky either. Regardless of their belief’s compared to the author’s, they will buy up every book on the market to be more fulfilled. I personally have browsed through some of these books to see what...

(from 2004) Introduction Several years ago, I had an exchange with a man who believed in the “Faith Only” doctrine and touted the Sinner’s Prayer as the means to be saved. An exchange is similar to a debate except it is usually in written form between the two individuals. I tried to tell him that baptism was just as essential as belief and he couldn’t fathom it. Below is his final post and I then wrote some remarks to it as he was finished with me. Here’s his final post: Keith wrote: If baptism is required for salvation, then Jesus lied, and the thief on the cross is in Hell. What if one receives Christ as Savior, but dies on the way to their baptism? What of all the people who have received Christ as Savior on their deathbeds? I certainly hope there was a Pastor there with a bowl of Holy water, or by your standards, they're in Hell too. The concept of salvation you hold is not only blasphemous, it's foolish and dangerous. If you believe y...