In Mark 9 a man comes to Jesus whose son was having convulsions, and he knew that Jesus was able to heal her, but was not sure He would choose to heal her. He says in Verse 24 “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” Why is it that trusting the Lord, is do difficult. Many of us are just like this father, who is uncertain that Jesus cares enough about us and our circumstances to intervene on our behalf. We try to figure out what we need to do, and attempt to carry out those plans. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” We must understand that God knows His plans for us, and we need to trust him in the midst of our circumstances to bring about His desired end. This is not a form of fatalism that causes us to just tolerate results, it is a trust that allows us to move forward where we are with a confidence that God has it all under control. When we struggle we need to be like this … READ MORE

Why was the Bible Written? This is a question that has been asked by many over the centuries. The purpose of the Word of God is to reveal God’s plan to overcome, man’s problem. When man sinned in the garden, he became incapable of coming to God. So God has given us His plan for restoring the relationship that has been lost in the fall. The Word of God is given to prepare people for the coming of Christ, and to come to appreciate and accept the Work of Christ to provide salvation which brings a restored relationship to God. In order to give that instruction, God begins with a time of teaching in order to make possible a proper understanding of the ministry of Christ, this is done in the Old Testament, through the calling out of a people (Israel) and a giving of the law to Moses. There needed to be time for Israel and the world to recognize the need for a messiah. The New Testament the explains the shadows and instruction of the Old Testament, and fills up the History of salvation. Today, the events of our lives move us to a point where we realize … READ MORE

In the book of Hebrews, the writer of the book, in addressing a Hebrew audience, starts of the book by placing the name God in the emphatic position. The significance of this is often lost on us, but in so doing he draws attention to the fact that it is God (under the Hebrew name Elohim), who has acted in such a way as to reveal Himself to us. He has done that in various ways to the Hebrew people over a long period of time, and He concluded that revelation by sending the one, who was “His Son” to reveal to us the person and plan of God for salvation and a restored relationship with Himself. Since Elohim is powerful enough to create all things by His own power, it is possible for the revelation of Himself, through the Son, to make redemption possible for the world. It is this foundation that make possible the hope we have that the Word of God was more than just a book of ethical stories, complied by men. This is God’s own revelation of Himself and His plan to a world who could not deduce God’s plan without God, Himself, revealing it … READ MORE