Posts by requests@ichthus.digital

When you think about the most heinous sins mankind has committed, what comes to your mind? Murder. Sexual immorality. Rebellion. Deception. The celebration of wickedness. Romans 1:22-32 contains a sobering list of sins like these. What would cause a person to commit such awful and ungodly actions? Paul answers this question in Romans 1:21. The downward spiral of the Gentiles can be seen here in something we may consider small: They were not thankful. The Gentiles were given sufficient evidence…

Have you ever heard the saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”? Though the principle is very simple, many still try to justify bad behavior with more bad behavior. An example appears in the Old Testament account of David’s reign as king of Israel. 1 Chronicles 13:7-10 reveals the sad account of Uzzah’s untimely death. The first mistake is described in 1 Chronicles 13:7. The Ark of the Covenant had been taken from Israel, and it was finally going to…

What can nature teach us about our God? According to passages like Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:20, we see evidence for the existence of God and also pictures of His glory. Taking a look at creation can tell us so much about our Creator. It is also interesting to note that inspired writers of God’s Word use nature to help our imagination concerning who God is. For our article today, consider Nahum 1:3. The reality is, we cannot fully wrap…

Demon possession is a Bible topic longmisunderstood. Skeptics deny it, believersare curious about it, and Hollywood isobsessed with it. The truth is the Bible says it happened(2 Tim. 3:16). Those who choose to deny the Bible’s claims thatdemon possession legitimately happened have severalexplanations for their skepticism. They might think thatpeople were superstitious and easily fooled. Perhapsthey attributed some unexplained illness to demons.To think this way you would necessarily have to callJesus’ deity into question. If He is God then He…

The role of a watchman is critical to the protection of a kingdom. These men would walk the outer walls of a city and guard it. In doing this, they would keep their eyes out for any activity that could endanger the members of that particular city and kingdom. In Ezekiel 33, God appointed one of His prophets, Ezekiel, to be a watchman. In Ezekiel 33:7-9, God would say, Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you…

The character of these men was importantand often tested. Prophets had to be boldlike Amos. Prophets had to represent God’scharacter like Hosea. Prophets had to be humbleand submissive like Habakkuk. Prophets had totrust God to take care of their needs like Elijah.Prophets had to be persistent almost to the pointof stubbornness like Jeremiah. Prophets had to bebrave like Nathan. Prophets had to find their placein uncomfortable surroundings like Daniel. While these are specific attributes you wouldhave wanted from anyone who…

Coping is a book written by brotherSteven Lloyd. It is a wonderfulresource that can help point us tothe solution to our problems in this life. Inmy last article, we looked at the first of twopremises that this book was based upon. Doyou remember what this premise was? Ifyou said, “The Bible is the Word of God,”you would be correct! Do you remember thescripture that this premise is based upon? Ifyou said, “2 Timothy 3:16,17,” you wouldbe right again. This week,…

Sometimes the prophets would look back on past faithfulness and remind the twelve tribes about the lessons learned to prepare them for a path forward. Ezekiel places the fault of the captivity at the feet of the shepherds (leaders) of the people in chapter thirty-four of his book but offers hope going forward through life brought to the valley of dry bones in chapter thirty-seven. In his day, Joshua admonished the people to choose between the mistakes of the past…

Sometimes people wonder about the balance between classroom education and “outside” education at Southwest. Just today, during our final exams, I was reminded of how SWSBS blends classroom instruction with practical experience. Each graduating student has already preached their final “student sermon” without the aid of notes. Then, for a final exam, each student had to present Wednesday night devotional thoughts, a Lord’s Supper “table talk,” and a youth devotional. Each of these brief lessons was to be delivered on…

The book, Coping, by brother StevenLloyd is a great tool when one considershow to handle the problems of thislife. What makes this book great are the twopremises this book is written upon. Thesepremises are based on truths found in the wordof God. For this week’s article as well as mynext article, we are going to consider these twopremises. Premise #1: 2 Timothy 3:16,17“The Bible is the Word of God” (Coping,Lloyd). Paul would write to young Timothysaying, “All scripture is inspired…

What kind of man does it take to be chosen to be a spokesman for God? Out of 39 Old Testament books, 17 bear the name of a prophet. Apart from them, there are dozens of prophets who make appearances in Old and New Testament narratives who played their part in revealing the will of God. Despite the honor of the position, ordinary men were chosen to leave their current circumstances to become men of God, ready to deliver His…

“The ends justify the means” and “A little white lie never hurt anyone” — these two clichés miss the obvious and contradict Almighty God. Proverbs 6:16-19 reveals seven things that the Lord hates. These abominations do not belong in the realm of moral ambiguity, yet man will run to defend them to some degree or another. James warns us about the tongue’s great potential to destroy, and John was told that “all liars” will have their part in the lake…