Creation Proves the Power and Faithfulness of God

September 13, 2016 by

The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119

“Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. They stand this day according to Your ordinances, for all things are Your servants” (Psalm 119:90-91).

The opening words of Scripture contain this fundamental fact: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Jesus was instrumental in this. John wrote, “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:3). This physical world continues “according to [His] ordinances” (Psalm 119:91). Paul said of Christ, “All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17).

Immediately after the flood, God promised that His providential care would continue perpetually: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). His care “throughout all generations” (Psalm 119:90) is a “witness” of Him to “all the nations” (Acts 14:16-17).

If the earth can stand as long as it has, we can trust God’s word to stand. The psalmist said that heaven and earth “stand this day according to [God’s] ordinances” (Psalm 119:91). This is important to remember because it also pertains to our spiritual well-being. Just as physical birth continues through God’s providence (Genesis 4:1; 1 Timothy 2:15), spiritual rebirth continues through His word. Peter wrote, “For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). God continues to give us spiritual life if we will trust and obey Him. His ongoing care in matters of this life are enough to prove to us that we can safely trust in Him.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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NEW RELEASE: The Psalm of the Word

September 6, 2016 by

The Psalm of the Word (cover)We would like to announce our newest title – The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119 by Andy Sochor – is now available. This material contains an in-depth study of Psalm 119.

With its 176 verses, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is divided up into twenty-two stanzas of eight verses each. The entire psalm is dedicated to a single theme – the word of God.

The Psalm of the Word breaks down this psalm and discusses one stanza per chapter. Although the twenty-two stanzas each focus on the same theme (God’s word), the depth of the subject means that each stanza is unique, focusing on different aspects of God’s word – what it is, what it does for us, and what it requires of us.

These lessons are designed to help the reader come to a better understanding of God’s word and develop a greater appreciation of the truth that has been revealed in Scripture. Read more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Message Does Not Change

August 17, 2016 by

Success at Bible Teaching

In every course in secular education textbooks must be revised frequently and new ones written from time to time because the message changes as new information is learned. But this is not true with the teaching of the Bible. God’s final and complete revelation to man in the New Testament scriptures is as fresh and as applicable today as when it was given in the first century. The apostle Peter said that the Lord has given us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3); and the apostle Paul affirmed that the scriptures inspired of God are “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Not only do these passages indicate the finality of the New Testament scriptures, but Jude told us the faith “was once (for all – ASV) delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) which would also indicate the finality of it.

The above scriptures show that God has given us the final revelation of His will to man and therefore will not change it. We now consider some passages which show that man is forbidden to change God’s message. The curse of heaven is promised to all who pervert the gospel and preach any message other than that which the apostles preached (Gal. 1:8-9), and which they have written (1 Cor. 14:37). To transgress or go beyond and abide not in the doctrine of Christ brings God’s disapproval (2 John 9-11). The apostle Peter added that those who wrest the scriptures (twist or change them about) do so to their own destruction (2 Pet. 3:16). Not only does God forbid the changing of the New Testament, but He did not permit the people to change the Old Testament when it was in force (Deut. 4:2).

The above post is an excerpt from the book, Success at Bible Teaching. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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His Own Iniquities Will Capture the Wicked (Notes on Proverbs)

May 14, 2015 by

My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs

The following is an excerpt from the book, My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs.

“His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin. He will die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray” (5:22-23). One of the lies of sin is to convince us that we are still in control, rather than sin becoming master over us. But sins (iniquities) capture, or bind, us. Paul later wrote, “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). When we pursue sin, rather than righteousness or divine wisdom, we become slaves of sin. The end result is that we “die for lack of instruction.” This shows us that God’s instruction teaches us to repudiate sin. Many believe that sin is tolerable because it cannot cause a child of God to be lost. This idea is false. The word of God plainly teaches us to avoid sin (cf. Titus 2:12). Therefore, if one ignores this instruction and chooses to live without it, he will be captured by his iniquities, which will ultimately result in death – either physical death (as is Solomon’s primary point) or, as we extend the application, spiritual death (Romans 6:23).

You can read more comments on the book of Proverbs in My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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Daily Notes & Observations: “The Magi Came to the House” (Excerpt)

December 13, 2013 by

October 3

The Magi Came to the House

Daily Notes & ObservationsWhen December comes, it is common to see nativity scenes displayed in front of houses, places of worship, and other locations. These typically include depictions of the baby Jesus lying in a manger with Mary and Joseph, the animals, the shepherds, and the magi (wise men) gathered around. There is at least one problem with this — the magi were not present at the manger.

“After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:9-11).

The shepherds were certainly present while Jesus was lying in a manger (Luke 2:15-16). But the magi did not arrive until after the Child had been moved from the manger into a house.

This is a relatively minor detail. But depicting the magi at the manger is not the only inaccuracy that is widely accepted by the religious world about the birth of Christ.

  • Many people imagine there being three wise men who visited Jesus. Yet the Bible does not tell us the number of magi who came (Matthew 2:1).
  • The Bible does not tell us the date of Jesus’ birth. Furthermore, the date that is usually commemorated — December 25th — does not fit with the events that transpired. Jesus was born during the time of year when the shepherds would be “staying out in the fields” with their flocks (Luke 2:8). The shepherds would not have been out like this in the middle of winter.
  • The Scriptures nowhere teach that there is to be a special day set aside to observe the birth of Christ, whether it is December 25th or some other day. There is but one memorial we are instructed to observe — the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) — which focuses on the death of Christ.

Though the fact that the magi came to Jesus in the house — rather than the manger — is a small detail, it ought to remind us of the importance of being careful with how we handle God’s word. Do not assume that what you think or what you have been taught is necessarily correct. Instead, search “the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Daily Notes & Observations contains 365 articles like the one above – one article per day that will take you through the Bible in a year. Be prepared to start your study on January 1st – order your copy today!

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