Year: 2017

Answer: There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. They are the imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life. The Greek word translated “crown” is stephanos (the source for the name Stephen the martyr) and means “a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally.” Used during the ancient Greek games, it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest. …

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Reflections And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Mat 16:16-18) What is the Rock upon which the church is to be built? Peter? No. The Rock is Jesus Christ – but note the …

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Reflections And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. (Mat 16:16-17) Peter saw and confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God – not because of brain power, emotions, or study. He saw it because God the Father had personally revealed to him this Truth. And the fact of the matter is, each of us have to receive the …

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A Bible Study by Jack Kelley Whenever I write about forgiveness, I try to emphasize the idea that forgiveness is not something we extend because the other person has earned it or deserves it, but because the Lord has commanded it. He commanded it for three reasons. First because the failure to forgive is a sin that interrupts our relationship with Him, second because it’s an opportunity for us to show our gratitude for having been forgiven, and third because by doing so we keep His commandments. In His parable of The Unmerciful Servant, the Lord made it clear that …

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As they watched the fire surrounding them, you cannot help but wonder what thoughts rushed through their minds? As they were thrown into the flames, what words of prayer were found pressed to their lips? As they realized those flames did not even singe them, how quickly did those prayers turn to praise? As they walked amongst the raging fires, what sounds and words did they hear from the crowds that watched in astonishment? We all know the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Men of unwavering faith, that refused to deny God in the face of the most powerful …

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Prophecy – Signs Pete Garcia And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Luke 17:26-27 Much discussion has been made about the Nephilim over the past twenty years by many from within evangelical Christianity. Most I’d wager would agree to disagree on the specifics of the who what, when, where, and why of what that …

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And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and escheweth evil? and still he holds fast his integrity, although you moved me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3) What was the purpose of the trial of Job? God’s own words prove that it was NOT because Job had sinned. In fact, God Himself says what happened to Job was, “without cause.” Of course, the fact Job was suffering, “without cause,” is the conflict of …

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But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb 11:6) This is a description of the faith at it’s root: A person must believe that God exists, that is, will reveal Himself. A person must also believe that if we seek God we will find Him – the person must believe that God is a, “responder to them that seek Him out.” You will notice that the focus is upon the faithfulness of God. But isn’t …

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God’s love for you is greater than anything humans can ever generate themselves John 15:12-14(KJV) 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. One of the most intense expressions of human love is the protective instinct parents have toward their children. There is little most moms and dads wouldn’t do for a baby. If a truck posed a threat to the little one, …

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Reflections 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?” And they said, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?” (Matt. 16:13-15) In the final analysis, it does not matter — to our relationship with God — what other people say about Jesus Christ. It does not matter even if they give the right answer. What matters is what WE say and …

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For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:5 There is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales–in this side he puts his people’s trials, and in that he puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy. When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to …

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