In a world where one's faith in God is questioned via the Internet, television, and other distractions, this new series offers the reader insight into Scripture that will strengthen their day-today walk of faith. Each lesson contains viable Scriptural topics that are designed to build one's faith through the Word of God.

A parable can be defined as a short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle. They employed brief word-pictures that were effectively used to convey concepts and principles the hearers were urged to adopt and practice. While Jesus used parables to connect with His audience emotionally, and by relating common events most would recognize, His parables achieved a greater purpose. They separated those who were committed to God from those who weren’t.

…The parables are meant to divide the crowd. While this may seem as if Jesus denied some people access, the difference He means is not in the message—but in the response….His miracles had attracted many, and others had perhaps been astonished by His earlier teaching. But the parables themselves, just as in the story of the seed falling on various places (Matthew 13:3-9), revealed the true nature of their responses and their real decisions. Those committed to the Kingdom of God would seek and find further understanding. But those uncommitted—perhaps listening only because of the initial excitement—would reject the teaching as unintelligible. Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Book III, Chapter XXIII).

Though the parables reflected events commonly known during that period of time, the truths they reflect are timeless and just as relevant today. For example, the “Parable of the Ten Virgins” warns us to be ready for the return of our Savior. However, who among us hasn’t attended a wedding or wedding related function that didn’t start on time because someone wasn’t prepared? Or who among us isn’t in some way acquainted with someone like the “Unjust Servant” – a person who pleads for mercy and forgiveness for their shortcomings, yet is unwilling to extend the same to others?

The biblical parables today achieve the same desired effect as thousands of years ago: to separate those who are committed to seeking the kingdom of God from those who aren’t.

I’ve heard it said by people that you must “use it or lose it” when referencing one’s gift and abilities. The statement may seem harsh to some, however, when we review the parable of the talents distributed to the servants of a man in Matthew 25, that’s what we see. The man distributed talents (a talent is worth about 6,000 denarii, or twenty years’ wages for a laborer), to three individuals. Each man had a choice to invest, develop, and or work the talent according to his ability. This analogy says to me that all of them could do something with what they had. So too is the case for each of us. God has given us all something that we can use for Him. In this series of lessons, you will explore the various ways you can use your gift and talents to impact the world—the circumference of space you inhabit now, as well as the world beyond your borders

Faith for Living | ''Lord You Are My Hiding Place''

The Biblical Definition Of Pain And Suffering

It is wired in us as human beings to want to find meaning in suffering. We are extremely uncomfortable with the vagaries of life. Sudden calamity, like natural disaster and unforeseen illness, can seem haphazard; therefore, we struggle to find God’s purposes behind events of this sort. Sometimes, our presumptions have been far too glib, like claiming the AIDS epidemic or Hurricane Katrina were God’s judgment on America. We are often too quick to blame the victims, in the hope that it will relieve our own angst.

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As we go into this quarter’s lessons we will be dealing with Israel’s return to the homeland following the Babylonian Captivity. The topics include the hope that can only be given by God to return, a call to faithfulness in the return, and life after the return. As we study we find that Israel’s hope for a successful return stood on two God-given promises.

Every believer can stand upon a solid foundation of God’s Word knowing that He is able to perform it. As believers, we can also be assured of His promises by confidence in His mighty power.

It would be impossible to over-emphasize the prominence of love as a defining virtue in the Christian life. For instance, it is defined as the evidence that someone is born of God. It constitutes the connection between the Lord Jesus and His Church, and it’s the wellspring of all fellowship. It is the premier fruit of the Spirit, from which all the others proceed. It is the prerequisite for the operation of all spiritual gifts and disciplines. Love touches upon every aspect of our saved lives. Yet, despite its importance to Christian doctrine and conduct, perhaps no other topic is given such short shrift in the teaching ministry. Our discussions of love are often superficial and glib. This quarter’s series, “The Love Seminar,” is designed to address that deficit. In it, we will define natural and supernatural love, examine the display of God’s love in the Old and New Testaments, and explore the implications of the scriptural command that we exhibit love in all our relationships. Thank God for the accessibility of divine love in our lives. It inspires us to become conduits of God’s love to a desperately needy world. Targeted and committed study of this topic will help us realize that goal. It is my prayer that “The Love Seminar” will initiate just that kind of deeper inquiry and meditation about love in our readership.

Success is yours for the taking. As you grow in God, you will see a direct parallel in growth in the natural realm of your life. Seek opportunities to grow in the workplace, education and in your family. It is time to move full speed ahead toward freedom. Remember freedom is not a destination, but a journey that we take throughout out lives. Step by step, day by day refuse to accept anything less than true freedom for your entire being, spirit, soul and body. Remember, God created you special and had a destiny in mind for you. Every day that you awake means that he has a purpose for your life on that day. Seek your purpose each day and allow God to use you in a special way.

This quarter we will examine the Book of Judges, and that study will be revelatory. The years of Israel’s history between the death of Joshua and the beginning of the monarchy are surprisingly similar to our present days in the Church. The Israelites had to lead faith-filled lives while they were surrounded by hostile cultures and influences, just as believers today must conduct their faith-walks in the midst of a contentious, humanistic society. Moreover, the carousel of “apostasy, chastening, repentance and deliverance” that our ancient forbearers rode may seem eerily familiar! More churchgoers than we like to admit are themselves trapped in cycles of sin.

A good test of the truth of our Christian walk is our relationships with others. God is also concerned with all of our relationships. In the days of the early church, slavery and indentured servitude were accepted practices in the world. Some believers also owned slaves or had servants and they were a part of the early church along with their masters. Slavery was never God’s ideal, but He addressed how masters were to treat their slaves and servants and how slaves and servants were to treat their masters as was expected of believers.

Whether to a state in the United States or a province in Asia, God calls His disciples to regions of the world. You and I have a call to a region. Every person has a ministry call by God. Our ministries are not are limited to buildings but are intended for regions. After a rocky start on Paul’s second missionary journey (where he split with Barnabas and wandered from city to city), God gave Paul and Silas directions through a dream. Paul and Silas were asked to come over and help those in Macedonia. This is the same type of call we also receive from God. Many are serving and serving, but along the way, God brings clarity to the direction.

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Faith For Living: The Burden of Jeremiah

Across the country, in many churches, we hear that there is a prophet in revival or at a conference speaking and people will rush out to receive a “word” from that person. This quarter’s lessons from the book of Micah will challenge us as we study the prophetic word that God spoke through His servant Micah. Micah’s prophetic voice declares to the children of Israel God’s disappointment, His judgment, and His restoration.

Faith For Living: Our Lives in Christ

Faith For Living: The Macedonia Call Part II

Though the people of Israel continued to disobey God, He continually sent prophets not only to warn the people of coming judgment, but also to give them hope with the foretelling of coming restoration, revival, and renewal. Isaiah (“Yahweh is salvation”) was one of the major prophets God sent to Israel to admonish them to remain faithful and inspire their faith by telling them of their future salvation.

Genesis 3:1 begins with the entrance of the first recorded instance of spiritual warfare on Earth. Satan through the serpent comes and begins to speak to the woman. It is important to note that, even today, spiritual warfare begins with the voices that are speaking to us. Demons speak on a regular basis; however, many do not recognize that Satan is speaking. Too often people are informed about spiritual warfare through horror movies, but this is not the reality. Demons speak to us daily; the problem is that many are in the dark not understanding the voices that they are hearing. Just as Satan spoke through a serpent to Eve, today he speaks through other voices, such as; entertainers, politicians, friends, enemies, clandestine preachers, false prophets, family members, music, social media, the list is endless.

"So they left the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy [dignified by indignity] to suffer shame for [the sake of] His name" Acts 5:41, AMP

This lesson series is the continuation of the lessons that continues the focus on the challenges that Christian workers face in advancing the Kingdom. In these lessons, we will explore challenges on two levels: challenges in the church community, and finally challenges that we face in our world today. Prayerfully, you and your faith community will grow as you explore, contemplate, and apply the lessons learned as we overcome challenges together.

Ancient documents more than support that crucifixion was used as a means of capital punishment reserved for murderers, slaves, and others deemed to be threats to, or whose crimes had deeply offended the Roman government. It was a form of capital punishment hated because of its cruelty and the extreme suffering caused to the condemned. In the late 1960s, a mass grave was unearthed in Israel. The men buried within were murdered around 70 AD during the quelling of a Jewish revolt. Forensic evaluations on one victim’s remains revealed he died by crucifixion in exactly the same manner as Jesus’ crucifixion is recorded in Scripture, with one exception—like the men crucified with Jesus, his legs had also been broken. This tactic was used to hasten death since it could take several days before the victim died. Most churches have a designated area in the sanctuary to serve as the altar. Wherever that designated area is, it will always be at the foot of Christ’s cross.

God provides us with everything we need. We were not created to live independently of God. Everything about the Creation demonstrates our connectedness to our Creator. Man was created in His image. Man became a living soul after God breathed His Spirit into him. God has given mankind all that is needed to sustain us. In the Fall of Man, we see the manifestation of one of the devil's primary tactics - that is, the awakening of doubt in God's Word. The devil uses doubt to make us take our eyes off of God and when we see others being blessed while we are still waiting for our promises to be fulfilled, we may begin to lose heart and grow impatient. But through Faith we can hold on and believe the promises of God.

Each year, millions of people make millions of New Year’s resolutions – to lose weight, live healthier lifestyles, work less, spend more time with family, even promises of attending church more often. Soon afterward, most of them fall by the wayside. The crowds that pack gyms in January thin considerably in February. Ambitious executives lapse back into old work habits. Church attendance once again becomes optional. Either their resolution was too ambitious, or their resolve was not up to the task, or they simply lost focus. If we aren’t careful, the same thing can happen in our spiritual lives. Paul warned the Galatian church about dangers to their spiritual growth and progress, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you” (Galatians 5:7–8). Something not of God threatened to deter the Galatians from their faith. They were in danger of losing their focus. When we find ourselves sidetracked, we have to ask the same question – what is hindering us? How do we regain our focus and get back on the right track?

As the people of God, we are witness to tremendous challenges to the truth and authority of God’s Word. Our faith in and adherence to God’s Word set us apart from those who deny its truth and authority and refuse to allow their lives to be fully guided by it. We were warned in 1 John 2:15–17, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” If we have not been active witnesses for Christ, the very nature of these times forces us to either stand up for Christ or align ourselves with the ungodly.

Our first set of lessons in this quarter addresses issues we face in conforming to God’s will. We must be firm in our commitment to walk in the truth of God’s Word. Next, we talk about characteristics of the surrendered life. Finally, we address what it means to live a life in covenant with God. All are important if we truly want to understand what it means to be set apart for God’s use and prevent ourselves from being duped by the devil.

Unfortunately, many Christians have become ashamed of their faith because it has been told that belief in God is like a fairy tale. Living as a Christian around the world has become different in recent times. In many countries people are being persecuted and killed for their Christian faith. In other countries, such as the United States of America (USA), Canada, or the United Kingdom (U.K.), the attack on Christianity is a lot more subtle. There are seldom positive Christians in television, music or movies.

The first Century Christians faced more than simple ridicule. Their lives were on the line; however, they were not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They recognized that the gospel message is the power of God!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Other than practicing and improving critical skills, the wisest course of action to take when facing an opponent is to learn as much about that opponent as possible. Boxers review the fights of their challengers. Coaches study game film of the teams their squads compete against. Why? It is as important to assess the opponent’s strengths and develop a plan to counteract them, as it is to assess the opponent’s weaknesses and find ways to exploit them. Talent alone is not enough to secure victory.

We are encouraged by knowing that Satan is a defeated foe. God’s Word communicates this fact to us. He is defeated in his future but has to be overcome in the present. What do we mean by this? Satan is still active in the earth. Knowing what his future holds has not deterred him from his goal – it has caused him to intensify his efforts to destroy the lives and reap the souls of as many people as possible. In fact, God’s Word tells us of Satan that he “has come down in great wrath, knowing that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12).

In this series of lessons, we will examine some key Scriptures that help us know more about the adversary of our souls and how to resist him. Many a strong team or individual has been upset by a weaker opponent because of not doing their due diligence in preparation. We do not want the same to happen to us.

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3, KJV

The birth of John the Baptist was a miracle. His parents, the priest Zacharias (Zechariah) and his wife Elisabeth, were advanced in age and childless. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias as he ministered in the Temple to tell him that God answered his prayer. He also told him about John’s special ministry.

John the Baptist was probably one of the most unique of God’s messengers. His look wasn’t contrived to attract a crowd. It was a line of demarcation between him and the religious leaders of Israel. Because of the corruption in the Roman government and the religious leadership of Israel, God needed a servant who was willing to sacrifice personal comforts and personal ambitions to carry out this task. John was completely focused on his mission to prepare the hearts and minds of the people for the ministry of Jesus Christ.

John’s theme was repentance. He was as courageous as he was obedient and he fearlessly confronted those who needed to hear his message of salvation and the coming Christ. He wasn’t afraid of offending anyone. This ultimately led to his arrest and death as he even openly challenged Herod Antipas concerning his illegal and immoral marriage to his brother’s wife.

As this world continues its downward moral spiral, we find ourselves needing the same courage and resolve to preach the uncompromised Word of God as John did thousands of years ago. John didn’t care about political correctness or offending the sensibilities of supporters. His primary concern was to do the will of God and to fulfill his mission.

Have you ever heard someone say I adore something? People adore a variety of things – fine chocolate, beautiful jewelry, a juicy steak, a particular restaurant, a favorite vacation spot, even their grandchildren. The meaning they are trying to convey is an intense liking or a strong affection for a particular person or thing. When we, as believers, speak of adoration, we are speaking of expressing our feelings for our Heavenly Father through worship.

What does worship mean to you? What does worship mean to God? There can be differences between man’s definition of worship and God’s definition of worship.

We can’t come to God in any manner and expect Him to be satisfied with what we have offered Him. There are acceptable and unacceptable forms of worship. This series of lessons have been designed to help us all make an honest assessment of our worship – personally and corporately. God will only be satisfied with our worship when we have offered it in the right way.

Everyone has experienced the disappointment and heartache of being let down by someone who made a promise. Likewise, we have also disappointed others when we have been unable to keep promises we have made. In most cases, promises are made with the intentions of keeping them, however, circumstances and situations arise that prevent their fulfillment. The problems that hinder human beings from following through with promises made aren’t problems that hinder God. We can place absolute trust in God’s desire, ability, and availability of resources necessary to keep the promises He has made to His children.

The world of Jeremiah was filled with conflict – both within Israel and externally from her enemies. During Jeremiah’s years as God’s prophet, he witnessed terrible things. Jerusalem was destroyed. The throne of David was replaced by heathen rule. The nation slid further into spiritual decline. Though he was concerned about the people of Judah, Jeremiah was very unpopular, terribly mistreated and imprisoned several times. The Lord also forbade him to marry or father children. So, in Jeremiah, we see a faithful servant whose calling included a life of loneliness and suffering. Why would God put His servant in such a difficult situation?

Through his inward and outward struggles, Jeremiah remained faithful to God and dedicated to his ministry. God’s servants continue to be persecuted and martyred in many parts of the world – this has been a truth from the days of the apostles to now, but there is a growing hostility becoming more emboldened by the hatred of God and His people. Those of us who feel we are insulated and immune from such hatred need to think again. In these last days, every servant of God must prepare for sacrifice and persecution.

What is your foundation for truth? In April of this year, the world watched in horror as two bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. Three people died and hundreds were injured. One of the two suspects is a naturalized American citizen and both men lived in the United States for many years. Friends and some family members were surprised. Repeatedly, reporters used the term assimilated referring to beliefs that the two men had come to fully embrace the American culture and way of life. It seems these young men came under the influence of information they received from other sources. There are a multitude of messages abounding in the world. We must consider the importance of sound doctrine. No longer can we afford to think or act as if what a person believes does not matter as long as that person is sincere. Many beliefs are sincerely wrong.\

Where do we learn the truth? For most of us, the church has served as the source through which we learn God’s Word, the foundation upon which we build our faith and our lives. There are two Greek words, which have been used to refer to the New Testament church. Ecclesia is the Greek word, which has been translated as church; however, the correct literal meaning is assembly. The word kuriaksos, which means that which pertains to, or belongs to, a lord. The Christian church then is an assembly of believers who belong to the Lord, Jesus the Christ. This series of lessons explores the importance of the Church – its purpose, its mission, and its endeavor to build up the body of Christian believers into the Bride for which our Lord Jesus Christ will soon return.

A co-worker defended the decision to join a particular church. The congregation is gay affirming and includes study from selected doctrines and teachings from all major world religions. Their focus from Christian Scripture is on passages that speak of God’s love, kindness, and mercy. These passages they don’t find objectionable or controversial, and they use the same rule of thumb when selecting teachings from other religions. The co-worker is homosexual and didn’t like the passages which spoke of God’s hatred and judgment for that sin and was happy to find a church with the same spiritual outlook – everyone is right, no one is wrong, and I don’t have to accept the fact that God hates what I do.

God is loving, kind, and merciful. He is also patient and longsuffering. These are attributes of His character that draw others and us to Him. Like the co-worker, we are grossly incorrect in thinking and teaching that this is all there is to God’s character. There are defects in our character which our loving, kind, merciful Father abhors, detests…hates. Proverbs 6:16-19 reveals these things.

This series of lessons examines some men and women from the Bible with some of the very serious character flaws mentioned in Proverbs 6, serious enough that God rebuked, judged, or struck them down. They are examples of people whose hearts weren’t right with God because they didn’t fully understand God’s heart.

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