Posts by Christian Worker

Have you ever been through events in your life that have changed you? Think about boot camp. A soldier who enters basic training for a military branch will graduate as a different person. The experience with its training, focus, emphasis, discipline, feedback, and arrangement transforms someone from a citizen to a soldier (sailor/airman/ marine/guardsman). There are other transformative experiences in life. Some last days or weeks while others last months or years. After such experiences, one may look back and…

“I think slavery is the next thing to hell.” – Harriet Tubman, 1856 Harriet Tubman was a conductor for the Underground Railroad. She knew the difficulties of escaping slavery; thus, she was likened to Moses. Egypt had enslaved Israel, and during their Exodus, Moses and the Israelites overcame many difficulties. The struggles they faced while escaping Egyptian slavery are notably similar to the struggles Christians face while escaping slavery to sin (John 8:34). Though Pharaoh never stood a chance at…

The reader might have noticed the titles of this issue tend to reflect a change from the negative to the positive. The exception to that rule is the subject of my assignment. As Christians, we want things to move from bad to good (and not the other way around), but the reality is the devil is hard at work (1 Pet. 5:8). Sadly, some who were faithful in the past have departed from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1). What are…

The account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, whom we know now as Paul the Apostle, is one of the greatest conversion stories and testimonies known to man. We first see this individual as a young zealous man, eager to destroy a fast-growing religious group called “The Christians” or “Jesus Followers.” Young Saul was no idiot. He was well-versed in the Law, studied at the feet of Gamaliel,  was a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as to the Law, was…

It is undoubtedly the most amazing “Rags to Riches” story of all time. We follow the descent of Jesus from heaven to earth to humility to humiliation to death and now, exalted to the highest place (Phil. 2:5-11). What’s more remarkable is that He shares the riches of His glory with us who at one time were the ones who put Him to death (Rom. 5:5-8; 2 Cor. 8:9). We are heirs together with Him. So many people are working…

An ordinary young woman who was soon to be married had her world turned upside down. It was from the moment that the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary that she knew her life was going to change. From that time strange things began to happen. She found that she was with child though she had not yet married Joseph nor “known” any man. She visited Elisabeth her cousin and upon her greeting Elisabeth’s child leaped in her womb.…

Have you ever heard someone say, “outside of a new car, most people do not like change?” Did you know there is a day coming when some big changes will take place? When the Apostle Paul penned his first inspired letter to Corinth he wrote about the idea of change. “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” (1 Cor. 15:51). Strong’s Bible Dictionary defines the word change as “to make…

Each year on the weekend of the first Sunday in March, the Southwest congregation hosts its Arise! workshop. This is a blessing and benefit to our congregation and the SWSBS student body. The study, singing, and social fellowship are hard to beat. One of the best parts of the Arise! weekend is the opportunity to spend time with alumni. Most SWSBS graduates work as local preachers. They have pulpit and evangelistic works that bless those churches whom they serve. But,…

“What is your favorite book or author?” This may have been a question you have been asked if you are a big reader or not. In one way, shape, or form, we can most likely answer this question as we have read a book that has left some impression on us, whether that is reading for leisure or out of obligation, such as an assigned reading in school. Our answers would reflect our preference for genre or author. This preference…

One of the great privileges of my life has been to be involved in various archaeological digs in Israel and Jordan. I have excavated at Khirbet Iskander in Jordan, Tel Rehov and Tel Beth Shemesh in Israel, and recently at Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant resided during Israel’s early history. This region is commonly called the Bible lands, or the Holy Land. I became interested in doing archaeology there because of the rich and helpful lessons it brings…

In his book, Words of Delight, Leland Ryken said, “… the ability to interpret poetry is a requirement, not an option, when we read the Bible” (pg. 160). Considering roughly one-third of the Bible is poetry, Ryken’s statement is absolutely true. There are 150 Psalms, 31 chapters of Proverbs, poetic prophecy sprinkled throughout the major and minor prophets, and poetry can even be found in the teachings of Jesus Christ and other places in the New Testament. If we want…

To encourage a young preacher named Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). His wise counsel remains as relevant today as it was then. Christianity is a learned religion. To be a faithful disciple, studying God’s Word is essential. A key area that should be included in one’s efforts to increase their knowledge of Scripture is…