Author: reflectionsintheword

The State of the Bible

This year’s research reveals that skepticism toward the Bible continues to rise. For the first time since tracking began, Bible skepticism is tied with Bible engagement. The number of those who are skeptical or agnostic toward the Bible—who believe that the Bible is “just another book of teachings written by men that contains stories and advice”—has nearly doubled from 10% to 19% in just three years. This is now equal to the number of people who are Bible engaged—who read the Bible at least four times a week and believe it is the actual or inspired Word of God…
…Given the increase in Millennials who don’t believe the Bible is sacred and the decrease in Bible awareness among Millennials, Bible skepticism will likely continue to rise in the next five years.

Is Baptism Required for Salvation?

Published by reflectionsintheword

There is still much confusion among Believers regarding the role of Baptism: Specifically, whether or not Baptism is required for salvation. There is much already written on this subject; nevertheless, it will addressed here because of its importance and its thorniness.

God’s Joy in the Midst of Life’s Pain

Published by reflectionsintheword

This is a point of testing that we often fail. We believe God is loving and good when things are easy and we can see a smooth, comfortable course ahead of us. It’s so easy to feel love and praise for God when we get the promotion at work, when a dear saint in the church is healed, when our children delight us and our friends admire us. But when sickness strikes and sees no relief; when a colleague maligns us and we find ourselves out of work, when children rebel and we feel alone and rejected – where is our faith then?

ONE WAY OUT | The Call of Levi

Published by reflectionsintheword

It meant he would lose his job, his wealth, his seat “at the receipt of custom”. It meant taking the biggest risk of his life. But this was his only chance, his only hope, his only way out. Either he would follow Jesus or fester in the mess he had created for himself.

Teaching Christ: The Church’s Crucial Calling

Published by reflectionsintheword

Lazy laymen do not bring glory to God through slothful study habits. Likewise, lazy leaders jeopardize the development of the Church when failing to provide instruction necessary to produce a healthy, well-fed flock who can stand strong in the whirlwind of false information swirling around them daily.

New Things for the New Year

Published by reflectionsintheword

Don’t give God a hard time when He wants to do a new thing in your life. We must believe that God is good all the time. If we trust His character we should cooperate with Him when He wants to make changes and do new things in us and for us. A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out.

When He Died

Published by reflectionsintheword

Music is playing, everyone’s saying,
Merry Christmas and oh yes Happy New Year,
Yet all step around, the man on the ground,
pretending there’s no one to see there.