Friends, who do you listen to?  Don’t let it be Jon Mitchell, your pastor or your favorite religious author.  Instead, be like the Bereans who “were more noble” than others because “they received the Word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11).  Take what you read in my blog or in any inspirational book or article, take what you hear in any sermon or Bible class, and compare it to the totality of Scripture.  If God’s Word says it, let that be enough.  Let us trust and obey.… Read More Why the Word of the Cross is Folly to Some

We don’t know when we will die (James 4:13-17).  That’s why the Bible says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).  Are you ready for eternity?  Are you in Christ?  Prepare yourself.  Study the Bible to find out how to be saved and become a Christian (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27; John 3:16; Luke 13:3; Matthew 28:19-20).  I would be happy to study with you about this at any time.… Read More “It Is Appointed for Man to Die Once, and After That Comes Judgment”

We are not under the covenant God made with Israel in the Old Testament.  That was taken out of the way when Jesus died on the cross (Colossians 2:14).  We are under a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13), Christ’s covenant.  But just as physical circumcision was required as a sign of the old covenant, God still requires “circumcision” of a sort as a sign in the new covenant.  This is not a literal, fleshly, physical circumcision.  No, Paul says it is a spiritual circumcision, “made without hands.”  He then clarifies that this spiritual circumcision takes place when one is baptized – literally “immersed” in the Greek – in water (cf. Acts 8:35-39).… Read More The Circumcision Made Without Hands

If God’s people are going to make a noticeable difference in the world – and, even more importantly, be faithful to God – then they must follow a different standard than everyone else.  Christians must know and teach their children that “Choose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15) is a commitment to live by rather than a fancy slogan cross-stitched onto a pillow.  It may not be fashionable, popular or convenient…but it will lead to serving the Lord in a kind and reasonable way (3 John 11; Ephesians 5:1).  The world needs to see this so they can have the hope of something better.  Christians must see this so they can realize their hope of eternal life.… Read More The Need to Imitate Christ

You ever wonder why Adam and Eve still felt naked after clothing themselves with fig leaves? Perhaps because the Hebrew term for their fig-leaf “loin coverings” is “chagorah,” which literally describes a particular type of garment which back then was the equivalent of underwear covering only the midsection. So those paintings of Eve with fig leaves over both her midsection and chest are incorrect. Going solely by the definition of the Hebrew word translated “loin coverings,” Eve would not have been covered at all above the waist. If underwear was all we wore when we went out in public, we would feel naked too, wouldn’t we? Keeping that in mind, though, how much difference is there between underwear and the overwhelming majority of today’s swimwear? Let’s be honest. Not much.… Read More “Because I Was Naked…”

They had stated their belief that God would deliver them from him, but then they said, “But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”  That wasn’t a taunt.  That was the truth.… Read More When We Face A Fiery Furnace…

When you think about it, God’s inspired command through Paul to Timothy and to all of His followers gives us so much guidance about the proper goals Christians should have.  Disciples of Christ must have the right aim: to be approved by God.  They must also have the right attitude: a studious mindset which motivates them to diligently do their best to meet the goal to be approved by God.  Christians must also be involved in the right activity: accurately handling God’s Word.  Only by diligently working to accurately handle the Scriptures will any professed follower of Christ take the first step towards truly being approved by His Father.… Read More Rightly Handling the Word of Truth