Application Articles – Page 3

07 Jan

Faithfulness In The Midst Of Persecution

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Alex Hale | Cabot, Arkansas

via Pixabay.com

In his book, Five Cries of Youth, Merton Strommen asserts that the loudest cry of young people is their need to be accepted or loved. As we think about our youth, do we not find that to be true? Many times our self-worth was tied to the opinions of others. Perhaps, for this reason, you wore your hair a certain way or dressed according to the trends of the day. Young people often struggle because of an inferiority complex, which stems from the idea that no one loves or appreciates them. We long to be loved and accepted.

This particular “cry” does not leave us as we get older. Adults still tend to say and do things to impress or gain the approval of others. I certainly do not mean to rain on anyone’s parade, but Jesus warns us that if we follow Him, we should expect the exact opposite of love and admiration. Read More →

01 Oct

Carnality and Conformity – The Way of Balaam in the New Testament

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Trey Haskett | Tupelo, Mississippi

via Pixabay.com

It is never a proud moment when an animal outwits you. Even more embarrassing, is when the animal is a donkey, which is proverbial for its dullness and stubbornness. But the shame piles up when you are someone who is known for your perceptiveness and knowledge but is still bested by the slow-moving, hee-hawing, four-legged creature. In 2 Peter 2:15-16, Peter alludes to such a story in Numbers 22-25 where Balaam is commissioned to curse Israel by Balak, king of Moab. On the surface, Balaam says all the right things because he refuses to speak anything other than what the LORD tells him. His willingness to flirt with Balak betrays his true motivations. The New Testament writers, as well as Jewish tradition, identify this as an insatiable, carnal lust for wealth (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11). But as the story progresses, it accentuates that Balaam’s carnality is seen not only in what he seeks but also in what he sees, or better, what he refuses to see. Read More →

02 Jul

Isaiah’s Description of Christ

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Jim Mickells | Lewisburg, Tennessee

Isaiah the prophet, has been referred to as “The Shakespeare of the prophets,” “The Paul of the Old Testament,” and as “The Messianic Prophet.” Within the sixty-six chapters of the book he penned by inspiration, there are a great number of prophecies concerning our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The book of Isaiah has been called the miniature Bible. “The first 39 chapters, like the 39 books of the Old Testament, are filled with judgment upon immoral and idolatrous men. The final 27 chapters, like the 27 books of the New Testament, declare a message of hope” (Taken from Barnes’ Bible Charts, Interesting Facts About Isaiah). Notice with me one of the prophecies stated by this great man as he describes our Lord. Read More →

02 Apr

Standing Strong In A World Gone Wrong

APPLICATION ARTICLE | John Maddocks | Toronto, Ontario, Canada

All alone. Most of us can remember a time or season when we experienced that unpleasant sensation. I live in Toronto, a city with millions of people, yet despite that huge population, it is a common experience for many to feel alone, even when surrounded by so many people. I know that it is true because I’ve experienced it myself.

Elijah stood alone. King Ahab had sent for the children of Israel and they assembled at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal. Elijah called out to the people, “‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21). Read More →

01 Jan

Living Stones & Spiritual Sacrifices

APPLICATION ARTICLE | William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario, Canada

Construction analogies are common in the New Testament. From an early age, many of us sang about the wise man who built his house upon the rock and the foolish man who built his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Jesus stressed the need for us to count the cost of following Him by speaking of a man who began to build a tower but was unable to finish (Luke 14:28-30). In 1 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul called the church “God’s building,” himself a “wise master builder” and urged us to build wisely upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2 elaborates, calling it the “…foundation of the apostles and prophets…,” and uses words like “building,” “a holy temple,” and “a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” to speak of the church. These building illustrations abound. Read More →

02 Oct

Our Beautiful Hope

APPLICATION ARTICLE | T. Sean Sullivan | Paragould, Arkansas

via StockSnap | Pixabay.com

Introduction:
The Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:15-16 makes us aware of the fact that Paul’s inspired writings can be “hard to understand.” Among the most difficult is arguably Paul’s letter to the Romans and within that letter, perhaps, chapter seven is at the top.

That being said, if we properly understand Romans 7, in its natural context, we will embrace the glorious hope of our better covenant. Yes, there are some phrases within its 25 verses that are certainly difficult, but it is the overall picture that brings us the joy of one very special word. That word is “forgiveness.” Forgiveness is a glaring contrast between the Law of the Moses (the Old Law) and the New Covenant (the Law of Christ). Read More →

03 Jul

Show Me Your Faith

APPLICATION ARTICLE
William Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

via congerdesign | Pixabay.com

In the latter portion of James 2, we find a great discussion of faith’s dependence upon works. The writer merges a collection of examples with his constant affirmation – faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 20, 24, 26). The destitute brother or sister who receives our well wishes and nothing more is destitute still (James 2:14-16). The demons are certain of the existence of God, but their doom is equally certain, for they do not do the works of God (James 2:19). The patriarch Abraham and Rahab the harlot were both justified before God, not merely because they believed, but because they exercised faith in God (James 2:21-23, 25). Read More →

03 Apr

Live Like Children of Abraham

APPLICATION ARTICLE
Reagan McClenny | Lufkin, Texas

via congerdesign | Pixabay.com

In John 8, Jesus has one of the most pointed discussions of his ministry concerning the “fatherhood” of His Jewish opponents. They claimed Abraham as their father, but Jesus replied, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the work of Abraham,” (John 8:39). Instead, Jesus points out their true father – the devil! “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do,” (John 8:44).

In the broadest terms, a son can be identified because he looks like (and imitates) his father (John 5:19). Spiritually, the way we live reveals who our father really is. What does your life say about the identity of your father? Read More →

01 Jan

Serve the Living God

APPLICATION ARTICLE
Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas

via Renna Black | Pixabay.com

The book of Hebrews is a book that concentrates on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We learn about the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice, His perfection and sinless life which qualified Him to serve as our great High Priest. By His sacrifice, the new covenant, which we are under today, was established. God grants forgiveness of our sins based upon the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. We are reconciled to the Father through the obedience of the Son of God. While the book of Hebrews concentrates on the superiority of Christ and the blessings of the new covenant, it also reminds us that we are called to serve. Read More →

03 Oct

Walking in the Steps of Faithful Abraham

APPLICATION ARTICLE – Shane Carrington | Sulphur Springs, Texas

via Ruth Lindsay | Pixabay.com

The richness and depth of Romans 4 takes us through the sweeping ages from Abraham’s faith to our own. As we encounter the patriarch we learn more about the portrait faith God intends our lives to reflect. Consider some practical teaching God wants us to produce in daily life. Read More →