Saul Among the Prophets

Saul Among the Prophets

Saul, the first king of Israel, was “head and shoulders above every other man” but humbly saw himself as “the least”. When sought out after being anointed by the prophet Samuel, he was found “hiding among the baggage”! (1 Samuel...
The Return of Jesus is Foundational to Faith

The Return of Jesus is Foundational to Faith

Every year in the Philippines, at least 17 typhoons sweep across the flat, open plains of Central Luzon, destroying all that is not secured — especially the many exposed and vulnerable thatched Nipa huts on bamboo stilts. But those huts fastened to tall center...
This Prayer by the Apostle Paul Has Wings!

This Prayer by the Apostle Paul Has Wings!

Paul’s second prayer in his letter to the church at Ephesus was that “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”  (1) Would grant them, out of His glorious riches, to be “strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man”;  (2)...
The Contrary Mary Factor

The Contrary Mary Factor

“The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things that you would.” (Galatians 5:17) This “Mary, Mary, quite contrary” factor is Push– Pull in that it works both ways. We...
First Corinthians: A Bad Report or a Helpful Handbook?

First Corinthians: A Bad Report or a Helpful Handbook?

The “rulers of this age” referred to by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:8 are not the spiritual “principalities and powers” of Ephesians 6:12 where “flesh and blood” are contrasted but the natural, earthly authorities of Titus 3:1 (also called “principalities and...
Try Networking Because Nets Work!

Try Networking Because Nets Work!

While the church concentrates on personal witnessing and altar calls, maybe it’s missing an established New Testament principle: that of netting large groups-–as well as hooking individuals. Fishing with a line is fine but more can be caught with a net.Jesus...

Peter E. Barfoot