Christian Worker (Page 3)
“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”
Towering above the landscape at Israel’s northernmostborder lie three summits, snowcapped for most ofthe year, and the streams from them serve as theheadwaters of the Jordan River. In the shadow of Hermon’slofty heights lies ancient Panias, the pagan city devoted tothe Greek god Pan, the goat deity of the wild, shepherds,and flocks. Today it is called Banias, but in Jesus’ day it wasCaesarea Philippi. What He and His disciples would havewitnessed upon visiting was a reddish limestone wall over130 ft…
The Lord is Not Slack Concerning His Promise
Wrong thinking about God leads to wrongattitudes and actions. If I imagine Jehovahas the “Grandfather in the sky” who willgrant all my wishes because He loves me so much —I’ve created a new god by the same name. Similarly, if Ithink He is a hard Master just waiting to punish me, I’llreact in fear like the one-talent servant and hide insteadof serve (Matt. 25:24-25). God has revealed Himself tobe a loving and merciful Judge Who wants to save all,but will…
Lord, to Whom Shall We Go?
How incredible it must have been to have witnessedthe miracles of Jesus. To see the dead raised, leperscleansed, and storms subdued must have producedunshakable faith within those who experienced it first hand.Or, at least it should have. Miracles were not an “end” in andof themselves but were rather a “means to an end.” Theirpurpose was not to “wow” the crowds into following Jesus,but to prove the veracity of His claims and point them toHis Word (Mark 16:20). Sadly, many who…
Influence or Influenced? (Colossians 3:17)
In our world today, it is estimated that roughly 6.5 to 7 billion people own a smartphone. Of those numbers, almost 6 billion people are on social media. Of these billions of users, millions of them are striving to be “influencers.” They make posts and videos trying to convince people how to eat, workout, dress, travel, handle finances, parent, work, practice Christianity, and live their lives. It can be quite overwhelming. The reality is, billions of people are being influenced…
From the Director’s Desk
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…
From Slaves to Free
“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…
From Sheep to Wolves
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…
From Persecutor to Apostle
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…
From Poor to Rich
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…
From Ordinary to Extraordinary
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.…
From Corruptible to Incorruptible
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…
Culture and the Authority of God, Part 2
I n part 1 we saw that culture cannot change the word of God. Instead, it meets the needs of every culture. God’s word lives and abides forever (1 Pet. 1:23). Culture is always changing, but God’s word remains the same. Even though the current culture cannot override God’s standard, it does have an impact on how we obey God’s law. Culture does impact the way a Christian applies God’s word. A good example of this is found in the…