Treasure Chest
Made Right to Live Right: A Study of Justification (Part 2)
Spiritual Justification: A New Spiritual Nature I part one we examined legal justification: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1) As amazing as legal justification is, however, there is still more. Being placed into God’s family at conversion is so miraculous, that no single…
Read MoreThe Book of Esther: Pictures of the Spiritual Life
Millions of people were introduced to the biblical account of Queen Esther in the 2006 movie, One Night with the King. [1] In this article, we will survey the book of Esther, and then consider symbolism that illustrates how the believer can experience victorious life in Christ. Summary of the Book of Esther The book…
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 MoreThe Secret of Victory, Part 3 (Conclusion)
God is Love, and so the third means of receiving His Resources is: Love and Faith John makes this clear in his epistle, I John 4:16: “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” I John 3:24: “He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him and He…
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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