The brief letter to Philemon is to a man on behalf of his runaway slave, who has become his brother in Christ. For context and understanding, we look at slavery's meaning and practice throughout the ages.

Society judges people outwardly, praising physical attributes and abilities. Some assess moral worth on the basis of gender, skin color, or other things. But the Bible is clear throughout: God is concerned with the INNER man, the true heart and character of each person.

From the very beginning Satan is depicted as a false accuser. The N.T. Greek word for "devil" is "diabolos," which means slanderer. When people slander each other, as is so common in our world, they are being Satanic.

Israel was blessed as a result of sacrificial faithfulness to Yahweh. But they grew decadent - fat, entitled, forgetful of their past. This can happen to any nation - victims of their own God-given prosperity.

The judgment is harsh for Israel when she forgets her past & the blessings of her roots and heritage. To throw away such a gift to run after worthless things is an act of abominable foolishness. Each person, family and nation should read these sobering words of warning.

500 years ago Martin Luther got a rare opportunity to speak before the emperor. In Acts 26 Paul got "permission to speak" to two powerful men. What did they say and what can we learn from it?

Paul prepared in Acts 25 to stand before two powerful rulers of his time. 500 yrs ago Martin Luther stood alone before the Holy Roman Emperor. Would you be ready and able if called upon in your time and place?

Every Christian is meant to be a wise, mature reader of the Word AND of the World. We should be like the sons of Issachar, who "understood the times."

Jesus did not look like a threat to take the throne in Jerusalem, on a donkey, basically homeless, and peasants with palms all around. But he was set to achieve a vastly greater overthrow and victory than anyone there realized.

In his last days on earth, Jesus was determined to go into the belly of the beast: Jerusalem. He told his disciples their going "was to fulfill" what had been written long before. It was all coming to pass.