John Woodward
Seeds of Forbidden Fruit, Part 3
We have been studying how pride, independence, unbelief, and self-will were the “seeds of forbidden fruit” that comprised Adam and Eve’s fall from innocence in Eden. By way of contrast, humility, dependence, belief, and submission to God are essential in Christian discipleship.[1] The Victory of The Last Adam Christ’s mission of redemption required His virgin…
Read MoreThe Balanced Diet Reading Plan
Since we are beginning a new year, you may have made a “new year’s resolution” to read through the Scriptures this year. That’s a good goal, yet it’s not uncommon to start reading in Genesis, but lose momentum in… Leviticus. Someone wrote to me: “This week, you talked about being hungry for the Word… However,…
Read MoreBreaking Free From the Past
As we prepare for a new year, the mystery of time–past, present, and future–presents itself with pomp and circumstance. While most of the activities around New Years’ Day celebrate the new vista ahead, regrettable episodes of the past often cast their shadow on our mind and conscience. Let’s consider how to break free from negative…
Read MoreThe Testimonies of Bethlehem
When my father was doing some work for a business in Atlanta, Georgia, he was invited to join the employees in some Christmas festivities. They were singing “Happy Birthday” so he assumed it was for Christmas, however he discovered that a lady there was born on December 25th. Dad was surprised to learn other distinctives…
Read MoreSeeds of Forbidden Fruit, Part 2
How can we be reconciled to God? Pride, independence, unbelief, and self-will — the “seeds of forbidden fruit” — find their counterpart in the conditions for salvation. 1. From pride to humility God designed the gospel to require humility on the part of the sinner. To the natural mind, the idea of redemption through the…
Read MoreSeeds of Forbidden Fruit, Part 1
Genesis is the book of beginnings. In it we discover the beginning of the universe and life on earth — plant life, animal life, and human life. Chapter two records the creation of man and the beauty of his environment: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into…
Read MoreThe Believer’s Fourfold Union With Christ
When our Lord Jesus was giving His farewell address to His disciples the night before His crucifixion, they desperately needed comfort. Having been with Christ for over three years, they faced the grim prospect of being separated from the Lord. How could they go on to an impossible mission without Him? This need for power…
Read MoreGrowing Toward Spiritual Maturity
In many schools, all students get their pictures taken annually. After a few weeks, the school’s photographer sends home a sample, and then the parents decide if they want to purchase some. Each year the photos remind us of the subtle but remarkable growth of our children toward adulthood. A catalog features a picture frame…
Read MoreCorrecting Your Perception of God
Laura Raney tells the story of a couple of mischievous boys who had a misunderstanding about God: “Two young boys were forever getting into trouble …disrupting classes in school, teasing neighborhood children, taking what didn’t belong to them. One day their mother asked the pastor over to see if he could talk some sense into…
Read MoreEncourage Yourself in God
How can you handle devastating circumstances? What can you do to move from doubt and despair to peace and confidence? Consider an example from the life of King David — a leader who experienced both tragedy and triumph. In 1 Samuel chapter 30 we find David in southwestern Israel still on the run from King…
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