Leaving Laodicea

What's the big deal with pastors today calling themselves apostles?  Why are they doing that and how can that be justified from Scripture?  Or, better yet, what are the qualifications for the office of apostle?  And, once we determine the qualifications, do any of these pastors meet them?  Can anyone meet them today?  Anyone?The lesson to be learned in all of this is that credibility is not communicated by titles or degrees.  Credibility is communicated by character.  True, God-like character.  And the fact we have men calling themselves apostles today shows us how much we still need to learn as a church, doesn't it?The following is a study on Colossians 1:1-2.

Sometimes, when it comes to living our life in Christ in a way that pleases the Lord, encouragement can come from someone whose name is not found in the Bible.  Case in point:  Winston Churchill.  Consider the following:“Never give in.  Never give in.  Never, never, never, never— in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense.  Never yield to force.  Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”Churchill was talking about the Nazi war machine, but our encouragement comes when we see his words as regarding Satan and the desires of our fallen flesh.  Our enemy is far greater than the Nazis.  We struggle against Satan and our own captivating selves.  To find out more on how to prevent spiritual backsliding, keep listening.The following is a study on Proverbs 14:12-14.

Sometimes, when it comes to living our life in Christ in a way that pleases the Lord, encouragement can come from someone whose name is not found in the Bible.  Case in point:  Winston Churchill.  Consider the following:“Never give in.  Never give in.  Never, never, never, never— in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense.  Never yield to force.  Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”Churchill was talking about the Nazi war machine, but our encouragement comes when we see his words as regarding Satan and the desires of our fallen flesh.  Our enemy is far greater than the Nazis.  We struggle against Satan and our own captivating selves.  To find out more on how to prevent spiritual backsliding, keep listening.The following is a study on Proverbs 14:12-14.

Often we only remember the bad things about someone and, when we do, that single memory eclipses whatever good a person's life might have stood for.  Case in point: the disciple Thomas.  Or, "Doubting Thomas" as we like to call him.Thomas is mentioned three times in Scripture but we tend to only focus on these words:"Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe"  John 20:25.But Thomas said much more.  In fact, he seemed to be the one disciple who had the courage to verbalize what everyone else was thinking.  And that courage and loyalty to our Lord was clearly shown in the raising of Lazarus from the dead.Want to learn more about the honesty, courage and loyalty displayed by our "doubting" friend?  Good.  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 11:7-16.

Often we only remember the bad things about someone and, when we do, that single memory eclipses whatever good a person's life might have stood for.  Case in point: the disciple Thomas.  Or, "Doubting Thomas" as we like to call him.Thomas is mentioned three times in Scripture but we tend to only focus on these words:"Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe"  John 20:25.But Thomas said much more.  In fact, he seemed to be the one disciple who had the courage to verbalize what everyone else was thinking.  And that courage and loyalty to our Lord was clearly shown in the raising of Lazarus from the dead.Want to learn more about the honesty, courage and loyalty displayed by our "doubting" friend?  Good.  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 11:7-16.

In Colossians we are introduced to a man named Epaphras who was someone Paul proudly called a fellow bondservant (doulos) or fellow slave of Christ.  His name is mentioned only three times in Scripture: Colossians 1:7, 4:12, and Philemon 1:23.  But in those three verses, in less than 70 words, Epaphras is described as:“our dear fellow servant”“faithful minister of Christ”“bondservant of Christ”“always laboring for you in prayers”“my fellow prisoner”What would the Lord write about your life if He mentioned you three times in His Word?  Would you be considered a "faithful minister of Christ"?  Would you be found "alwaying laboring in prayers" for others?  If not, that can change today.  You can begin right now writing a new chapter in your life.  To discover more about Epaphras, keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:7; 4:12-13.

In Colossians we are introduced to a man named Epaphras who was someone Paul proudly called a fellow bondservant (doulos) or fellow slave of Christ.  His name is mentioned only three times in Scripture: Colossians 1:7, 4:12, and Philemon 1:23.  But in those three verses, in less than 70 words, Epaphras is described as:“our dear fellow servant”“faithful minister of Christ”“bondservant of Christ”“always laboring for you in prayers”“my fellow prisoner”What would the Lord write about your life if He mentioned you three times in His Word?  Would you be considered a "faithful minister of Christ"?  Would you be found "alwaying laboring in prayers" for others?  If not, that can change today.  You can begin right now writing a new chapter in your life.  To discover more about Epaphras, keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:7; 4:12-13.

Sometimes God, in His sovereignty, allows things to happen to us that are hurtful and difficult to understand.  Our fervent prayers go unanswered, our finances continue to dwindle to the point of ruin, our closest family relationships remain estranged and broken, and our sick loved ones grow weaker and die.And when this all happens we often point the finger at God and accuse Him of being unloving.  "God, I would never allow my son to go through what You've made me go through.  Why?  I feel like I'm more loving to my children than You are to me."But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.  Case in point: When Jesus waited for two day before coming to the aid of Lazarus (John 11:6).To find out more about why sometimes God seems unloving, keep listening.The following is a study on John 11:1-6.

Sometimes God, in His sovereignty, allows things to happen to us that are hurtful and difficult to understand.  Our fervent prayers go unanswered, our finances continue to dwindle to the point of ruin, our closest family relationships remain estranged and broken, and our sick loved ones grow weaker and die.And when this all happens we often point the finger at God and accuse Him of being unloving.  "God, I would never allow my son to go through what You've made me go through.  Why?  I feel like I'm more loving to my children than You are to me."But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.  Case in point: When Jesus waited for two day before coming to the aid of Lazarus (John 11:6).To find out more about why sometimes God seems unloving, keep listening.The following is a study on John 11:1-6.

It seems that one of the greatest blessings in the Christian life is found in being "in Him" (Col. 1:15-18).  After all, Jesus has "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6).  "Where and when did this take place?" we ask.  Look at the last few words.  We are "raised up together, and made to sit together in the heavenly places— in Christ Jesus"  How?  In Christ Jesus.How can we know we are in Christ?How can we experience being in Christ?And how can we celebrate being in Christ?To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on being "in Christ".