By: David P. Everson When God came to day five of the creation of all things, He designed an animal of unbelievable proportions. The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is bigger than even the biggest dinosaurs. This is hard to believe given how big the Brachiosaur is, as big as a house, but the Blue Whale is even bigger! Living for somewhere near 110 years or more, this mammal can weigh in at more than 70 mid-size cars at 150 tons when fully grown with the females being the largest. The heart alone will be as large as a car by itself. The tail of this behemoth can be as wide as the wingspan of a small two seat airplane. Its eye is the size of a standard basketball. This massive animal is indeed a testimony to the creative design capability of God. They will reach these gigantic sizes feeding upon some of the smallest shrimp-like animals (krill) in the ocean environment. Krill is a very common microorganism found in all of the oceans of the world. The adult male blue whale can eat up to four tons of this crustacean, which would be about 40 million krill per day. That is like eating an elephant in a single day! They feed on these tiny life forms by straining the water with comb-like structures called baleen. The baleen sieve is made of keratin, which is the same material found in many other structures in nature like fingernails and animal hooves. During …

By: Sunny David Countless thousands of people live today under the illusion that God continues to speak directly to men today. Some claim that God speaks to them in dreams and visions. Some are publishing papers and magazines, constantly telling people that God has revealed to them this or that message, and they expect people to believe them. Indeed, some do believe whatever they say, because some people are so gullible and credulous that they would believe just anything preached to them in the name of God or religion. Not only that, but they become their followers and call them “Prophets” and “Forerunners of Christ’s second coming.” Who are these people who claim that God speaks to them today through visions or dreams? These are people who are ignorant of what the Bible teaches about how God speaks to man today. They are mentally sick. They are highly emotional, often being driven by the heart rather than by pure logic and by what the Bible teaches. They imagine things and tell people that that was what God had told them. They contemplate, view mentally on something that they personally believe to be the will of God, and might even see those things reappear to them in their dreams, and they conclude that God has been revealing those things to them! When they get a little publicity, by telling their imaginative stories to people who believe them, then they do that more, because it brings to them fame and honor, as well …

By: Tony Clay Christians rightly hold the Bible in the highest regard. Scripture is not merely an ancient collection of religious writings; it is the Word of God given for our instruction and salvation (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Because of this, we must strive to maintain a balanced and healthy view of the Bible—a view that honors its authority while also using it properly. A balanced view begins by recognizing that the Bible is God’s complete and sufficient revelation. We do not need additional messages, visions or modern revelations to know God’s will. Through Scripture, God has already provided “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). This should give us confidence. When we open the Bible, we are not searching for guesses about God’s will, but we are reading what God has revealed. At the same time, a balanced view means handling the Bible carefully and honestly. It is possible to misuse Scripture by taking verses out of context, forcing a passage to say something it was never intended to say or focusing so narrowly on one idea that we ignore the rest of God’s Word. The Bible was written in different books, genres and historical settings, and faithful readers should take the time to understand those things. A balanced approach also keeps the big picture in mind. The Bible is not simply a list of isolated commands; it is the unfolding story of God’s work to redeem mankind through Jesus Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture …

By: Charles E. Burch So often we take for granted all the luxuries with which God has blessed us. In the great nation in which we live, we have come to expect these things. In fact, we look upon many of the luxuries, not as luxuries, but as necessities. The great danger is that we can become caught up in these things to the degree that we put our trust in them, instead of in God. The Bible teaches that the Lord and His kingdom must come first. Jesus taught: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). It is not wrong to have some luxuries, but we must not rob God in order to afford them. Materialism has become the god of so many today. The God of Heaven has blessed them with so much that they feel no need for Him, for they have all they desire here in this life. This is why the fields are white unto harvest in many places, and few have a desire to go teach. Many times when men have the desire to go, they have such difficulty in raising support that it kills their desire. Many of the countries where the people have very little of this world’s goods are the ones who are receptive to the Gospel, for they have nothing in which to place their faith except God. Jesus warned about materialism in the sermon …

By: Derek Broome

By: Charles Box Here are some questions you should answer: [Editor’s Note: Salvation is freely offered, but it is conditional. One must turn to the Word of God—the Bible, and for everyone living today, especially the New Testament (Romans 10:17). From the Scriptures, a person needs to derive faith that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God—the Christ, Savior and Redeemer (John 8:24). Consequently, one must repent of his or her sins—turning from ungodliness to Jesus Christ (Luke 13:3). Thereafter, anyone seeking true salvation is willing to confess or to acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 10:32). Forgiveness of sins, then, is obtained by imitating the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord (Romans 6:3–6), trusting in the blood of the Son of God to redeem us (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5). As a new Christian, he or she ought to feed on the Word of God to mature (1 Peter 2:2) and devote himself or herself to Christian service (1 Corinthians 15:58). Finally, at the Judgment, even if faithfulness and Christian service resulted in persecution unto death, eternal life will be yours (Revelation 2:10). Throughout life on any occasion when sin may enter your life once more, repentance and prayer (as a Christian already) will allow one to receive forgiveness (Acts 8:22). In addition, sins of which a Christian may not be aware can be forgiven by continuing to walk in the light of God’s Word (1 John 1:7). This note in no way diminishes the value of brother …

By: T. Pierce Brown Why it is assumed that there are not degrees of sin when both the Bible and logic assure us otherwise, I do not know, but I have heard it denied all my life, with such profound accompanying assertions as: “Sin is sin, and there is not any difference in sin in God’s sight,” and “Any sin will send you to hell, and therefore, there are no degrees of sin.” “It is no hotter in one part of hell than it is in another, and this proves that there are neither degrees of sin nor degrees of punishment.” If this article helps anyone to see that the strong assertion of any assumption proves nothing about what the Bible teaches, it will be worth something. I am not concerned with an examination of the assumption that one part of hell has a specific temperature or that another part is or is not any hotter. You do not know anything about how hot any part of hell is and could not prove anything about whether some part is any hotter than another. However, if you could, it still would neither prove anything about degrees of punishment nor anything about degrees of sin. Let us examine some of the teachings of the Bible about the degrees of sin, starting in the beginning of the Old Testament and working into the New, but not attempting to exhaust the subject at any point. As we examine the records in Exodus and Deuteronomy of the …

By: Gary C. Hampton Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler seemingly led Peter to comment that he and the rest of the twelve had left all to follow Christ and wondered what reward they would receive. Jesus’ immediate response was to speak of the time of the new birth or regeneration, when He would be on His throne. He said the twelve would also rule at that time over the twelve tribes—spiritual Israel (Matthew 19:23–30). They reigned with Christ by reporting His will to men. All who sacrifice for Jesus will be rewarded (Matthew 19:23–20:16). A vineyard owner went to find workers at the start of a day. They were hired for one coin. More men were hired at nine, noon, three and five. Each of these latter went, trusting the owner to give them a fair wage. Laborers were repeatedly sought because the work was ongoing, just like that of the kingdom. Workers were even hired at the eleventh hour. Payment had to be made at day’s end (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:15). Workers lined up with last hired first and the first hired last. No complaint was heard from those who trusted the master to pay a fair price. Each received a day’s wage for less than a day’s work. Those who worked the whole day were upset after receiving only that for which they bargained, feeling they deserved more. None were justified in complaining since the lord’s money was his to dispense as he pleased. Some seemed …

By: Robert Johnson Our message from Scripture today is 2 Thessalonians 3:11. “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies” (NKJV). When Paul wrote these words to the congregation in Thessalonica, the members had decided the Lord’s return was imminent, and so, they ceased being productive in their labors and started spending their time engaging in activities by intruding in people’s lives that were none of their business. Paul used a play on the words in the Greek that could basically be translated, “Oh, they’re busy, but busy being busybodies!” The implication is that they were busy everywhere intruding in the lives of others but not being busy with what they should be doing. While helping one to obey the Gospel or to better live the Christian life is a noble thing, that’s not what Paul was talking about here. It can be easier to find fault in others than consider it in oneself and to tell others what to do rather than to try to be a better person oneself. Paul reminded us of this when he told the Galatians, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). The Lord spoke of such in the Sermon on the Mount as well. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you …

By: Dean Kelly I was talking to a friend of mine who just lost his wife recently. He is one of those people who is extremely talented with his hands. He can build about anything. He is just a very nice person who loved his wife dearly. They were married for many years. He had gone through bypass surgeries, and other health issues. No one would have predicted that he would be left behind. Yet, that is exactly what happened. We were talking about his son, who is sick with the creeping crud. My friend commented, “I hope I don’t get it, because if I do, I don’t have anyone to take care of me.” It touched me when he said that. He is not wallowing in self-pity. He simply stated the facts, as he sees them. He is, for lack of a better word, lost without her. He has family who loves him dearly. He has good friends, but none of those can fill that gaping hole that losing her has put into his life. So, it made me think and want to jot down some thoughts. If you have a mate, don’t ever take him or her for granted. Life is so uncertain. If you have a mate who loves you, then, you are blessed beyond measure. Don’t ever forget that, and don’t ever let your spouse forget that you cherish him or her.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for …

By: Mark T. Tonkery Many years ago, a boy got into a terrible argument with his father. The father lost his temper and slapped the boy across the face. The boy ran out of the house and climbed up on some rocks above a lake. He said he was going to drown himself. Everyone knew he meant it. The father ran after him, still screaming. All the family and half the town became involved. Finally, they got the boy to come back home, but awful bitterness remained between the father and the son. The bitter son grew into a gruff man. He reached a point where he was considered one of the most dangerous men in the world. His name was Mao Tse-tung, the former Communist leader of Red China. God calls Christian fathers to be different than what we see in the father of Mao Tse-tung. Ephesians 6:4 teaches, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Although Timothy’s father is not mentioned in Scripture as a person of faith, we do see Timothy was born, reared and instructed with the faith of his grandmother and mother, which became his faith, too (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). Christian faith made a difference in Timothy’s life, and we know him as a young man trained by the apostle Paul to be a great evangelist in the early church (2 Timothy 4:5). What could have been if Mao Tse-tung’s father …