The Pre-existence of Jesus Christ

Many verses describe the existence of Jesus before his birth in Bethlehem. How did Jesus exist before his human life began? Did he exist as the Son of God before his birth in Bethlehem? Did he exist apart from the Father? Was Jesus a created being that God made to dwell in? Is Jesus the Creator as the Son of God? These are some of the many popular teachings about the pre-existence of Jesus, but none of them are found in scripture. Let’s examine the scriptures and allow them to tell us how Jesus existed before his incarnation. (more…)

The Dual Nature of Jesus Christ

There are many verses in the New Testament that are used to show a distinction between the Father and the Son. These verses show the Son speaking to or about the Father, the Father speaking from heaven, or Jesus in some way apart from the Father. In fact, there are many verses in the New Testament that are used to teach a plurality of persons within the Godhead. This contradicts the many verses that teach the Godhead as a singularity. Once the dual nature of Jesus is understood, it will be clear that these verses actually teach the oneness of God. (more…)

New Color Code

I recently developed a new marking system for my new wide margin Bible. Since I got a new Bible I wanted to develop my color code a little more to include more subjects and get a little more detailed with my marking and study. I also wanted to refine my current subjects a little. My wife also uses my color code, and she added a few subjects of her own. I wanted to add her subjects and she wanted to add my new subjects. So, we collaborated and developed this new color code. We ended up with this new color code to go with my new marking system. (more…)

Choosing a Study Bible

I’ve searched for many years for the perfect Study Bible. I’ve tried many of the Bibles on the market and I’ve found things that I like and things that I don’t like in all of them. Through my years of Bible study I have found what does and does not work, and what I do and do not need in a Study Bible. I also have developed opinions as to what every person needs in personal Bible study. Let’s examine some features of Study Bibles and determine what makes a good Bible. (more…)

In the Beginning

God created all things in the beginning. There are many theories on when the beginning was. Some believe the beginning took place many billions of years ago. Others believe the beginning was only several thousand years ago. Some believe the six days of Creation were not literal days, while others believe they were 24 hour days. Some believe the first four days were ‘eternal days’. There is another belief, known as the gap theory, that states there was a gap between verse 1 and 2 of Genesis, giving ample time for all of the ‘geologic ages’. What do the scriptures have to say on this topic? Let’s look and see… (more…)

Note Takers Bible

I’ve longed been an admirer of wide-margin Bibles. I consider the wide margin Bible to be the best choice as a Study Bible, because it gives the reader the opportunity to interact with the scriptures, creating their own Study Bible. My current wide margin Bible is a World Heritage. It has nice margins, but the paper is too thin for writing. Also, the inside margin is too difficult to write in, causing you to lose some of that precious note-taking space. On top of that, the fonts are slightly small, and now that I’m past the 40 mark, font size is a bigger deal to me than it used to be. I recently scanned the Web for a Bible with a single column on the inside, a very wide margin on the outside of the page, a nice leather cover, in King James, a font larger than my current Thompson’s 8 point font, and a price I could afford. Well… I found it. The Note Taker’s Bible from Local Church Bible Publishers. (more…)

New Bible Marking Method

I just ordered a new Bible. Every time I change Bibles I modify my marking system, getting more detailed and more useful every time. The Bible I just bought is a single column, 2.5 inch wide margin, so a new marking method is in order. (more…)

Prayer

We shout to the Lord in our Sunday worship services. We raise our hands and praise God for all that He has done for us. What do we do between Church services? What do we do at home? What do we do when no one is looking? What do we do in our daily walk with God? Let’s look into the scriptures and see how we can get a daily refreshing in the Spirit and build a closer walk with God. Let’s look at prayer. (more…)

Jewelry

The scriptures teach that we should be modest in all things. This includes our outward appearance. Can jewelry be considered modest? Do the scriptures teach against wearing jewelry?

In the scriptures, jewelry is associated with a proud look, an immoral lifestyle, and even with pagan worship. Let’s look at the scriptures and see what they have to say about wearing jewelry. (more…)

Judging

Judging is a topic that many have misunderstood. We all judge, even if we don’t recognize it as judging. We make many judgments every day. Whether or not to make a judgment is in itself a judgment. Can we judge that something is right or wrong? Should we judge to words and actions of others? Most will tell you that judging is a sin. What do the scriptures say?

Everyone’s favorite verse on judging comes from Matthew chapter 7:

Matthew 7:1  Judge not, that ye be not judged.  (more…)

Bible Marking

The Bible is like a treasure- the more you dig, the more you discover. Studying the Bible is like an archaeological dig- the more you uncover the more exiting it becomes. Rightly dividing the Word of God is in itself a lifetime of study; marking your Bible helps in that study. Bible marking helps in remembering what you’ve learned, helps to memorize scripture, and helps to put things in context. (more…)

A Child is Born

It was prophesied in scripture that God would come in the form of a man.

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

What child is this that he would be called the mighty God and the Everlasting Father? This verse is one of the most powerful statements of the Deity of Jesus. This verse describes Jesus as the Father. (more…)