Directional Devo 12.31.15

Today in our study in 1 Timothy 1:5-11, Paul continues to address the purpose of doctrine which is to separate the true from the false, but also should be proclaimed out of a heart of love.

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Directional Devo 12.30.15

Today in our study in 1 Timothy 1:3-4 we see that Paul is concerned that Timothy understands the need for doctrinal purity and its purpose.

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What Does It Mean to be Poor?

One day a very wealthy father took his son on a trip to the country for the sole purpose of showing his son how it was to be poor. They spent a few days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

After their return from the trip, the father asked his son how he liked the trip. “It was great, Dad,” the son replied. “Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “Oh Yeah,” said the son.

“So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father. The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.” The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “It showed me just how poor we really are.”

Directional Devo 12.29.15

In today's devotion from 1 Timothy 1:1-2 we are introduced the Epistles of Paul to Timothy and discover their backgrounds as well as the occasion of the letters.

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Directional Devo 12.28.15

Today we wrap up our study of Jude 1:12-25 in which we see further descriptions of apostates and counsel on how we as the "beloved" are able to overcome them.

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Directional Church 12.27.15

In today's study we are in 1 John 4:1-10 where we are encouraged to "try the spirits" to see "whether they are of God" because there are many false prophets in the world.

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Directional Commentary 12.26.15

Revelation Introduction

            By way of introduction, the author of the book of Revelation is none other than the Beloved Apostle, John. At this time, he was the last living apostle as that all of them had already been martyred for the gospel of Jesus Christ. According to church history all of the other apostles were martyred in the following ways. Andrew was crucified.  Bartholomew was beaten and then crucified.  James, the son of Alphaeus was stoned to death. James, the son of Zebedee was beheaded. Judas (not Iscariot) was stoned to death.  Matthew was speared to death. Peter was crucified upside down. Philip was crucified.  Simon was crucified. Thomas was speared to death. Matthias was stoned to death. Only John died a natural death. 

            However, tradition does tell us that one of the Roman Emperors tried to kill John by boiling him in oil before exiling him to the Isle of Patmos. This may sound a little rough, but I find a great deal of comfort in that thought, because God had a reason for preserving John’s life for a future work that He had for him in writing this book that we are about to study. 

            The Lord also has a plan for you. So, the next time you feel that someone is trying to boil you in oil: just remember that until God is finished with you in this life, the next will have to wait! Trust me; I have been in the pot a couple of times myself!

            Let’s get started in our study. As we begin to look at the book of the Revelation, we must know that there are basically two views on how to interpret it. The first view of this book is called Spiritual. This view teaches that the entire book of the Revelation is nothing more than a big spiritual allegory. Those who hold this view believe that the book should not be taken literally and therefore does not have any prophetical or futuristic significance. Quite frankly this view is simply wrong. It’s not even close. By the way, you will find that I tend to be pretty “frank” when teaching the Bible. As a matter of fact, if you stay faithful in this study with me, you will probably hear things that challenge you as well. My admonition to you is that you not get offended. 1 Corinthians 13:5 says that we should not be easily offended or provoked. To be so proves our own immaturity. Just go to the Bible and compare scripture with scripture. If you have questions, pray about it and if you desire to contact me, please feel free to do so.

            You see, I believe that the entire Bible is to be taken literally, except in the areas where the text reveals that it should not. For example, in Revelation 6:12 it says, “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.” It is very obvious that John isn’t quite sure what he saw and was trying to describe it the best he can, so it’s not to be taken literally. Notice the words “…black as sackcloth of hair…” and “…became as blood.” That doesn’t mean that the sun became sackcloth and the moon became blood. It just means that John didn’t quite know how to describe it so he compared it to something he knew. Also, look at Revelation 8:8 where it says, “And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood.” Again, notice the words “…as it were…” that John used to describe the great mountain.

            The second view of the Revelation is what I call the Historical or Literal view. This view states that everything in the book is to be taken literally as historic or prophetic in nature. In other words, when chapters 2 and 3 speak of the seven churches, it is to be taken literally in that there were seven churches that John wrote to in the area of Asia Minor. As a matter of fact, archaeological discoveries have confirmed this over the last 30 years. This is the correct view. Everything that it says either has happened or will happen someday. It is a book of prophecy. 

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Directional Devo 12.25.15

Today in our study of Jude 1:11 we take a look at the meaning of "the gainsaying of Core" and how it applies to false teachers.

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Directional Devo 12.24.15

This is the final study from 1 Timothy 4:7-8 on the disciplines of a Godly man focusing on the areas of integrity, the tongue, and work.

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Directional Devo 12.23.15

This is a continuation of the study from 1 Timothy 4:7-8 on the disciplines of a Godly man from yesterday focusing on the areas of relationships, the mind, and devotions.

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Directional Devo 12.22.15

Due to the holiday schedule, this week I will be posting some older studies that you may or may not have heard before. The first will be on the first discipline of a Godly man from 1 Timothy 4:7-8.

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Directional Church 12.20.15

Preached a message this morning at the Calvary Chapel of Greenville entitled "Hail the Incarnate Deity" from Luke 2.

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Directional Devo 12.18.15

Today in our study of Jude 1:11 we continue to see how false teachers are like greedy Balaam of old.

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Directional Devo 12.17.15

Today in our study of Jude 1:11 we see how Jude compares false teachers to Cain and Balaam of old.

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Directional Devo 12.16.15

Today in our study of Jude 1:8-10 we take a closer look at the characteristics of these apostates that have crept into the church.

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Directional Devo 12.15.15

Today we wrap up Jude 1:7 where we see how God brought judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sin of sodomy.

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Directional Devo 12.14.15

Today we pick up in the Jude 1:6-7 where we continue to see how God has dealt with rebellion in time past in regards to the fallen angels and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

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Directional Church 12.13.15

In today's study from 1 John 3:7-24 we conclude three things: a true child of God will be obedient to the commandments of God, will love their fellow man, and will be filled with the Holy Spirit of God.

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Directional Devo 12.11.15

Today we continue in the Epistle of Jude by looking at the purpose of the writing and how God has dealt with rebellion in time past.

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Directional Devo 12.10.15

Today we begin the little Epistle of Jude in which we look at the author, our sanctification, preservation, and calling.

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Directional Devo 12.9.15

In today's study in Bible Doctrines we wrap up the Doctrine of Christ by looking at the remaining false theories in regards to his resurrection and his subsequent exaltation.

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Directional Devo 12.8.15

In today's study in Bible Doctrines we continue with the Doctrine of Christ by looking at the second of several false theories that attempt to explain away the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

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Directional Devo 12.7.15

In today's study in Bible Doctrines we continue with the Doctrine of Christ by looking at the first of several false theories that attempt to explain away the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

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Directional Church 12.6.15

In today's study from 1 John 3:1-6 we look at how good the Lord has been to us, and how that a true child of God cannot continue to walk in sin.

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Directional Devo 12.4.15

In today's study in Bible Doctrines, we continue with the Doctrine of Christ by looking at the importance of his bodily resurrection from the dead.

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Directional Devo 12.3.15

In today's study in Bible Doctrines, we continue to look at the Doctrine of Christ by seeing how his trial was illegal and was also in the predetermined counsel of God.

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Directional Devo 12.2.15

In today's study in Bible Doctrines, we continue to look at the Doctrine of Christ by seeing what the Bible says about both his deity and his humanity.

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Directional Devo 12.1.15

Today in our study on the Doctrines of the Bible, we continue our look at the Doctrine of Christology by looking at the nine names of Christ and how they either point to his deity or to his humanity.



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Directional Devo 12.1.15

Today in our study on the Doctrines of the Bible, we continue our look at the Doctrine of Christology by looking at the nine names of Christ and how they either point to his deity or to his humanity.

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