This is a study of Genesis 4:16 and the story of how Cain left the presence of the Lord to dwell in the land of Nod. In many ways it is also the story of the temptation we all feel as we live in the shadows of Eden today.While a somewhat obscure verse in the Old Testament, Genesis 4:16 contains some very important truths about God's purpose for our lives and the temptation to wander from that purposes. It is also a call of God to learn to live in the purpose for which we were creat...

Romans 8:31-39 is a reminder of what the Lord Jesus has done. It is a picture of the grace of God providing all we need for salvation and a right relationship with God. It is about a God whgo has invested much in the lives of His children and who will do all He can to keep them. It portrays salvation from God's perspective. Paul's focus in these verses is not about our commitment to God but rather about His commitment to us.In this brief study of Romans 8:31-39 you will see somethi...

Have you ever looked at your spiritual gifts and talents and wondered if they were of any use to the Lord?The Parable of the Tiny Seed is a short story that will be appreciated by both adults and children alike. It recounts the tale of a lonely and discarded apple seed that was used by the Master.This simple story shows how even the simplest believer can be mightily used by God.

This is not an easy topic to deal with by a necessary one. In a day where the truth of Scripture is being compromised there are some truths we dare not avoid or ignore.There are many ideas circulating about the final judgement. The only authoritative source on this subject is the Word of God. This is a humble effort to examine the teaching of the Scriptures about hell and final judgement. Its goal is simply to let the Scriptures speak for themselves on this difficult but important ...

Have you ever been struck by the kind of people God uses?Have you ever wondered why God uses people which no formal training or those whose lifestyle is questionable?Is ministry success a proof of my right standing with God?This is an examination of the kind of people God uses in Scripture. The purpose of the study is to show that fruitfulness in ministry has more to do with God than it does with us. Like salvation, fruitfulness in the Christian life is a gift of God'...

We live in an age where sexual morals have been rapidly changing. Because of the sensitive nature of the topic, and out of fear of offending, the church has not always clearly addressed the issue or taught what the Bible has to say about God's purpose for this part of our life.This is an attempt to survey what the Bible has to say about human sexuality. In this study we will address God's intention for sex and what He says about the practices of our day. Our sexuality is a gift giv...

As a modern people, we value freedom. Often the freedom we claim, however, holds us in bondage.What is true freedom? Can true freedom ever be experienced outside of submission to God and His purpose?Does freedom imply a release from all authority and the right to do as we please?The Bible has some important things to say about true freedom. What we often consider to be freedom is actually a slavery to sin and its passions. Unrestrained liberty can never give us true fr...

Some of the most important teaching in the Bible about salvation and victorious Christian living is found in Romans 5-8. In this passage, the apostle Paul details the plan of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the inner work of the Spirit. Paul shows us the purpose of the triune God in planning, securing and enabling His children to obtain and live triumphantly in the wonderful salvation offered them.The attempt of this study is to reveal the plan of God for salvat...

Genesis 11:1-9 is a familiar story of how the descendants of Noah, leaving Mount Ararat after the flood, migrated to the fertile Valley of Shinar where they built a tower and a city.The story of the Tower of Babel is a story about the tension between the will of God and the pull of the flesh--of human ability and surrender to God and His purpose.This important Old Testament passage is a warning to us about not walking in the call of God for our lives. It speaks to our moder...

There have been many times of spiritual revival recorded for us both in historical and modern times. The details of these awakenings and revivals, however, are sometimes contested and we are left uncertain as to whether they have been from God or not. What we have recorded for us in Scripture, however, is the record of genuine moves of God. By examining these revivals we can better see how God works n these times, and what we can expect to see when God moves in our midst. The goal of this ...

Speaking in tongues is a controversial practice in the church of our day. Some believers demand that it be practiced as a sign of being filled with the Spirit. Others feel the gift has ceased. What does the Bible teach?While there is no clear Biblical evidence that the gift has ceased, Scripture does mandate how it is used. It also gives us some hints as to the purpose of the gift for the building up of the body.I have chosen to examine this topic with the hope that it will ...

Simon of Cyrene is an obscure Bible character who had a tremendous role to play at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus. Three out of the four gospels mention his name and the fact that he carried the cross of Jesus, but there is little else known about him.Hidden in the few verses of Scripture mentioning his name are some interesting details about the work that Jesus carried out that day. Simon's role was not only to minister to the Lord Jesus by carrying the cross but also to sho...