Generally speaking, Americans are very bad about making solid commitments and following through on them. Why do two people decide to live together? In the 1960’s 1 out of 10 couples lived together. Today, 6 out of 10 couples live together. I believe the primary reason is that they want to experience all the benefits of marriage without any of its commitment and responsibilities. They want the benefit of a sexual relationship without having to make a permanent commitment. There are millions of people in America who “attend” church, but are not committed members of that church. They want to live with the Church, but don’t want to marry her.

Communism, Humanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, does not have the answer to the meaning of life. In the Bible, and there only, do we find the answers to: where did we come from, why are we here and where are we going?

Understanding the names of God is no quick study-after all; there are more than eighty names for God in the Old Testament alone. Initially, God was known as Elohim. The Hebrew word Elohim carries with it the meaning "strong one or creator" and appears thirty-one times in the first chapter of Genesis.

Understanding the names of God is no quick study-after all; there are more than eighty names for God in the Old Testament alone. Initially, God was known as Elohim. The Hebrew word Elohim carries with it the meaning "strong one or creator" and appears thirty-one times in the first chapter of Genesis.

Even the strongest among us become weary. We must be willing to admit it (not dwell on it) and do something about it. Understand “the Lord is the strength of my life.” Ps. 27:1

Here in Deuteronomy the meaning is obvious: Whatever your trials or difficulties may be, God will always give you grace to support you and bring you through them. No conjuncture shall arise, in which the strength of heaven shall not make us victorious.

One of the arch enemies of the Israelites was the Midianites. We learn in Judges 6:3-6 that every year about the time the Israelite farmers were about to harvest their crops, the Midianites would attack destroying virtually all of their harvest. This went on for seven years in a row, leaving the Israelites impoverished. After seven years of suffering at the hands of the Midianites, God rose up a judge, a leader named Gideon.

Evangelism is not a program, but a way of life. God has not left evangelism to chance. It works and is guaranteed to be successful when engaged in faithfully. Success in witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God. Our understanding of evangelism must be rooted in the reality of God's unquenchable desire to save, His ability to save, and His purpose to employ us in this mission. Successful evangelism is lay-centered, and is not seasonal (Acts 2:47).

In this statement, the apostle Paul is saying that everything he has tried to be, everything he is, and everything he looked forward to being pointed to Christ. From the time of his conversion until his martyrdom, every move he made was aimed at advancing the knowledge, gospel, and church of Christ. Paul’s singular aim was to bring glory to Jesus. The story of Paul is a story of redemption in Jesus Christ.

Epaphras was from Colossae. His name is mentioned only three times in the Bible (Colossians 1:7; 4:12; Philemon 23). From these verses and the historical-geography of the Lycus Valley, we can glean hints about this man with a reputation for praying for specific needs in the churches where he ministered.” Morgan-Gillman Colossae was located in the Lycus Valley. This valley was situated on a very strategic road that went from Ephesus on the Aegean Sea eastward to Syria. It is located at the eastern end of the Meander River. Within this valley there are two other major cities, Laodicea and Hierapolis, within the region of Phrygia.

“In Colossians 4, the Apostle Paul lists eight less-familiar names from the early church. Paul’s “shout-out” to these saints reminds us of the vast majority of Christians who quietly play important roles in the kingdom of God. Even though these mentions are brief, they contain life-long lessons for us today.” Trevin Wax Some of these carry out their work primarily in a local setting; others travel with Paul or serve as his delegates when he cannot travel. Still, all of his co-workers act cooperatively with him in a wide variety of mission activities.