Free Republic

Where do rich and famous Christians find their spiritual community? Not at church, according to D. Michael Lindsay, a columnist at USA Today. After five years of interviewing 100 prominent evangelicals including Hollywood celebrities, athletes, business executives, and two presidents, he reports that sixty percent were not regular attendees in a local congregation. They tended instead to meet with other high-level Christians for fellowship in private Bible studies. Gary LaFerla, whose credentials include being a senior pastor, CEO, published author, and executive coach, has worked with Christian leaders in business and the arts for over 25 years and had a...

As you read Hebrews 1:1–13, reflect on the following questions: 1. How many different traits and titles of Jesus can you list from these verses? 2. Why is this writer mentioning angels so much? 3. How does God speak to you when you read His Word? 4. When was the last time you really listened to what God had to say to you? Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-13 Hebrews 1:1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,...

Genesis 24:34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant. Genesis 24:35 And Jehovah has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great. And He has given him flocks and herds and silver and gold, and male slaves and slave women, and camels and asses. Genesis 24:36 And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old. And he has given to him all that he has. Genesis 24:37 And my master made me swear, saying, You shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land...

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be...

Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. Genesis 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Genesis 22:3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and cleaved...

Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; Genesis 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. Genesis 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Genesis 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within...

Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance...

Psalms 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest...

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? Genesis 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. Genesis 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but...

Lesson Passages: Genesis 1:27, 9:6; Matthew 5:21-22, 22:36-40; Mark 10; 46-52 Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without...

Lesson Passages: Psalms 7:1-17 Psalms 7:1 Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Psalms 7:2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. Psalms 7:3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; Psalms7:4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered...

Lesson Passages: Genesis 8:15-17, 20-22, 9:1-3, 8-13Background Passages: Genesis 8:15 – 9:29 Genesis 8:15 And God spoke unto Noah, saying, Genesis 8:16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. Genesis 8:17 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. Genesis 8:20 And Noah built an altar unto the LORD; and took...

Lesson Passages: John 1:1-18 John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. John 1:7 The same came for a...

Background Passage: Genesis 5:1 – 8:14; Lesson Passages: Genesis 6:9-18, 22 Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:10 And Noah begot three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. Genesis 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. Genesis 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me;...

Being “caught red-handed” is a Scottish phrase made popular by writer Sir Walter Scott in 1819. It seems to describe the situation in which man finds himself in Genesis chapter three. The phrase simply means being caught in the act or with positive evidence of a crime. Adam and Eve fit the mold as God found them hiding in the Garden of Eden after accepting the temptation and committing the sin of disobedience. Struggles with resisting temptation are a constant challenge to us in our daily Christian lives. 1. Temptation Lures Us Genesis 3:1-5 A subtle, cunning, shrewd serpent appeared...

"Affirm God’s Good Plan" Background Passage: Genesis 1:1 – 2:25; Lesson Passages: Genesis 1:1, 26-28,31; 2:15-18, 21-25 Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male...

Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Matthew 27:36 And sitting down they watched him there; Matthew 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama...

Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Matthew 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from...

Matthew 19:1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan; Matthew 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause...

This final chapter of Hebrews brings many exhortations to the Jewish people. So what exactly is an exhortation? It's encouraging, challenging, comforting and guiding other people so that they can reach their full potential. Chuck Swindoll says it is the ability to bring encouragement, to help others see the relevance of Scripture, to give insightful counsel, to motivate, to comfort and to offer hope that prompts action. That's a big "to do list," don't you think? The Apostle Paul was always the teacher -- giving us lists of things to do and ways we can minister to others. So what...

It's important in this chapter to differentiate "punishment" and "discipline." Punishment makes sure that a certain behavior will not continue. Discipline makes sure that a behavior will continue. For instance, if we are speeding up and down the highways, eventually we'll get a speeding ticket -- as a punishment. Speeding tickets are punishments. They're a way of making sure speeders stop speeding. Discipline is a little trickier to define. Making a child sit down and do homework is discipline. Discipline breeds self-discipline and eventually the child develops good study skills that come up out of parental discipline. Discipline sets up...

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh! Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in...

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.openbible.info%2Fgeo%2Fkmls%2Fheb.11.kml&t=k This link will let you see the trek of the Israelites from the time they left Egypt, where they crossed the Red Sea, and finally to the promised land. This chapter in Hebrews is known for its testaments of faith. In fact, it is often referred to as the "Hall of Faith." Faith is defined in verses 1-2: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what...

We are reminded again in this chapter, in verse 4b, that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to redeem a person from sin. Then in verses 5-7, Christ addresses his father directly: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, "Here I am -- it is written about me in the scroll -- I have come to do your will, O God." These words are actually the same as David's in Psalm 40:6-8. The Hebrews are reminded...

Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Matthew 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath...

This chapter of Hebrews will speak to all of you who feel like you are not forgiven for something or other that you've done in your life. Read it. And read it again. Copy the verses that are particularly meaningful to you -- those verses that bring you peace when their meanings flow like a river through your consciousness. This particular chapter is one of my favorites in the entire Bible. I hear God speaking to me especially through these verses. I feel Christ looking over my shoulder as I write about him. I feel the comfort of the Holy...

This part of the letter to the Hebrews is a reminder that the original covenant that God had made with the Israelites was not a perfect law. It was not perfect because it did not contain any method of redemption. It was a kind of "do this -- do that" list of expectations that God had of his children. On the other hand, when he sent his son Jesus to deliver a new covenant, he also included redemption. And through this redemption came the promise of salvation. This new covenant is stated in verses 8-12: But God found fault with...

In this chapter we read about Melchizedek again. In these opening verses of this chapter, there is some clarification, I think, as to whether Melchizedek is an allegorical incarnation of Christ. Aside from being the King of Salem (verse 2), and actually meeting Abraham (who gave him a tithe from the plunder that Abraham had gathered up when he beat the socks off the kings during that mighty war), Melchizedek, in verse 3, is described as: Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth...

This chapter contains another stern warning to the Hebrews. We find it in verses 4-6: It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God, and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. That's a stern warning, indeed. For if we reject Christ in our lives, we are...

Matthew 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. Matthew 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Matthew 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever...

The point Iponder as I'm reading this chapter is this: When I think of the way that Israel wandered do I ever say to yourself, "I would never have acted like that." Is that really true? I pray to God to show me my weakness ask for his help to correct my weaknesses. This chapter begins with a metaphor. Moses is compared to a servant in the house. God is the builder of the house. Jesus, as God's son, takes better care of the house than a servant would. We hear the Holy Spirit talk in this chapter. The Holy...

Hebrews 2: 1-18 There are five warnings to the Hebrews contained in this book of the Bible. The first of these warnings can be found in verses 1-4: We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by...

Hebrews 1: 1-14 There is some dispute about who wrote the Book of Hebrews. It's been widely credited to the Apostle Paul. But Paul identified himself in all of his other writings. There is no indication anywhere in the Book of Hebrews as to who physically wrote the book. We have to remember that all of scripture is from God, our Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit. Not sure if it matters a whole lot as to whose pen the Holy Spirit decided to use to bring these messages to mankind. It does appear though, from the writings, that Hebrews...

Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Matthew 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Matthew 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? Matthew 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy...

10. Start floating air biscuits and wave your hand in front of your face, exclaiming "Whooo, who was that?!?" 9. Mention you're not sure who you'll vote for in the upcoming democratic primary. 8. Show up dressed like Huggy Bear. Act offended if anyone comments. 7. Explain how you're so glad all people go to Heaven because witnessing is such a drag. 6. Two words: Leather Pants

Seven high-ranking officers, including four generals, could face discipline for what the Pentagon considers their promotion of Christianity. The Pentagon inspector general found the seven officers to be engaged in misconduct when they appeared in a promotional fundraiser video for the evangelical group Christian Embassy three years ago, according to OneNewsNow. Christian Embassy was founded by the late Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ and ministers to diplomats, government leaders and military officers. The ministry holds prayer meetings each Wednesday morning at the Pentagon. The officers were said to be in uniform at the Pentagon when they expressed...

Seven high-ranking US officers, including four generals, could face discipline for what the Pentagon considers their promotion of Christianity. The Pentagon inspector general found the seven officers to be engaged in misconduct when they appeared in a promotional fundraiser video for the evangelical group Christian Embassy three years ago, according to OneNewsNow. Christian Embassy was founded by the late Dr Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ and ministers to diplomats, government leaders and military officers. The ministry holds prayer meetings each Wednesday morning at the Pentagon. The officers were said to be in uniform at the Pentagon when they...

“Affirm God’s Justice” Nahum 1:1-3, 7-8, 3:1-7, 19 Nahum 1:1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. 2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in...

“Maximum Effort Is Required” Chapter three begins with a “purpose” statement, the reason why Peter wrote a second letter to the same readers (v. 1): “that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles” (v. 2). Disclosing his intent logically follows the lengthy censure of false teachers in chapter two. Peter’s readers, bombarded with “heresies” (2:1), “false words” (2:3), “deceptions” (2:13), and “errors” (v. 17) would struggle to “remember the [right] words.” Chapter three is a response to two troublesome realities: [a] Rise of Religious...

Sunday, May 6 “Growth Is Intentional” 2 Peter 1:1-11 Webster’s defines “growth” as “progressive development: evolution; increase, expansion.” In the first half of chapter one, Peter profiled spiritual maturity, a kind of growth that does not “just” happen. Verses 5-7 itemize seven character traits, the greatest one being “love” (v. 7; see also 1 Cor. 12:31-13:13). Two factors promote their development: [a] God’s Initiative and [b]Individual Involvement.

A few years back, one-third of freshmen entering Wheaton College (Illinois) didn't know that Paul's travels are recorded in Acts or that the Christmas story is found in Matthew. Gary Burge, Ph.D., Wheaton professor of New Testament, reported these findings from a Bible literacy test administered to incoming freshmen. Burge also said he asked 45 seniors to paraphrase, from memory, the Ten Commandments. Only one student could do so. Though these students are mostly from strongly evangelical churches, their ignorance of Bible basics is disturbing. The professor maintained that biblical illiteracy is "a universal and growing problem" among students and...

Sunday, April 15 “Prepare for Suffering” 1 Peter 3:13-4:6 By Ivan Parke In the study course Empowered Parenting, Robert J. Morgan titled chapter 12 “Painful Parenting: When Children Break Your Heart.” Similar wording would depict accurately this life, “When — NOT If — You Suffer.” Jesus repeatedly warned His followers to expect persecution: “You will be hated by all on account of My name” (Mt. 10:22a). He also encouraged them, “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for...

PHOENIX (BP)--Nearly all churches were involved in some way in evangelism during the past year, though many churches place a low priority on increasing their community outreach, according to research released by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Research released in the January/February edition of LifeWay’s Facts & Trends magazine examines the level of involvement of U.S. Protestant churches in evangelism and community outreach, as well as what obstacles hold them back from being even more involved. The study, conducted for Facts & Trends by Ellison Research of Phoenix, is a representative sample of 811 Protestant senior pastors...

Georgetown University has banned outside Protestant ministries from holding on-campus events and using the school's name, prompting group leaders to question whether the prestigious Catholic school is restricting religious choice. "All we're wanting is diversity," said Kevin Offner, a staff leader for InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship. "We're simply saying, 'Can't we worship and conduct our meetings in a way appropriate to our tradition?' And it feels like [Georgetown is] saying 'no.' " In a letter last week to leaders of the campus's Affiliated Ministries, the Rev. Constance C. Wheeler, a Georgetown Protestant chaplain, said that "as a result of our...

People who are approaching the Bible for the first time may be surprised to discover that the Church offers us only three basic guidelines for reading it.Three Guidelines These are: 1. Be especially attentive "to the content and unity of the whole Scripture"; 2. Read the Scripture within “the living tradition of the whole Church”; and, 3. Be attentive to the analogy of faith. In these deceptively simple guidelines are enfolded, like the oak tree in the acorn, the entire pattern for reading Scripture in a healthy way. Let's unpack them a bit. You Need the Whole of Scripture 1....

Judge Grants Injunction Allowing Child's Recess Bible Reading and Sharing By Jim Brown and Jenni Parker March 24, 2006 (AgapePress) - A federal judge has ordered an elementary school in Knoxville, Tennessee, to stop prohibiting a fifth-grade student from reading his Bible with a friend during recess. Luke Whitson and his parents had filed a motion for preliminary injunction against Knox County School District officials for threatening to punish the fifth grader for reading his Bible during recess at Karns Elementary School. According to press reports, Knox County Schools officials had argued that Bible reading jeopardizes student safety. They also...

The prophet Nahum writes about the Lord’s judgment against the Assyrian city of Nineveh (Nahum 1:1-2). In the context of Nahum’s inspired writing he penned the following statement: “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet” (Nahum 1:3). The Lord is most certainly a God of patience and He is very longsuffering not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). However,...

University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly announced a proposal Wednesday that would allow resident assistants to lead and participate in all activities, religious and otherwise, anywhere on campus. The proposed system-wide policy would replace previous policies, which varied among individual UW campuses, many of which banned RAs from holding or leading Bible studies within their rooms or residence halls. “You have to weigh and balance everything,” UW System spokesperson Doug Bradley said. “This [proposed policy] is the best way to ensure all students have access to everything our campus has to offer.” According to Reilly’s recommended policy, RAs are...

  THE TEMPLE CLEANSER by Ray C. Stedman We are coming to that dramatic moment in the Gospel of John when our Lord first cleansed the temple. This may seem a rather strange passage for Mother's Day, but any mother who has had to clean out a teenagers' room after months of nagging will identify fully with this account! John gathers this event around three factors: where Jesus was; what he did; and what the disciples learned by watching what he did. Beginning in Chapter 2, Verse 12, John condenses about a week of time into two short verses concerning Jesus' whereabouts:...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 — Democrats in Georgia and Alabama, borrowing an idea usually advanced by conservative Republicans, are promoting Bible classes in the public schools. Their Republican opponents are in turn denouncing them as "pharisees," a favorite term of liberals for politicians who exploit religion. ...The Democrats who introduced the bills said they hoped to compete with Republicans for conservative Christian voters. "Rather than sitting back on our heels and then being knocked in our face, we are going to respond in a thoughtful way," said Kasim Reed, a Georgia state senator from Atlanta and one of the sponsors of...