John tells us (1 John 4:1), “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Paul said something like that, too. After saying that we should “not despise prophetic utterances,” he added, “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:20-21). Steven J.Cole … More The content of our theology matters greatly
Steven Cole on 1 John 3:11-18- If we get weary of hearing over and over about the need to love one another, we should remember that John wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, who knows our hearts. We need to examine ourselves constantly because our default mode is to revert to selfishness, not … More Who would you rather snuggle?
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach … More Why is Jesus’ return delayed?
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past … More Intentional holiness
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. —James 3:7-8 ESV Pastor Steven Cole: On a windswept hill in an English country churchyard stands a … More The battle to tame the tongue
In my research on Luke 23, I came across this wonderful sermon by Pastor Steven Cole, of Flagstaff, AZ. He tells of Simon of Cyrene through the eyes of his son, Rufus. The Roman soldiers in our day got a sadistic kick out of making a condemned man carry his own cross to the site … More Learning from the son of Simon of Cyrene
But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to … More Just like Barabbas?
Pastor Steven Cole begins and concludes a sermon on Hebrews 7:1-10 with these comments: Most of you would probably admit that you’re not highly motivated to learn about Melchizedek. You’ve got marriage problems, problems with your kids, financial problems, personal problems, and other practical needs. Why in the world would you be interested in learning … More One gateway God has provided to tell you about Christ
While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. —Ezra 10:1 Pastor Steven J. Cole of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship comments Ezra was prostrating himself and praying “before the … More Repenting and Confessing
Pastor Steven J. Cole of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship comments on Ezra 9: Because we are so desensitized toward sin, we fail to have the proper response toward it, whether it is our own sin, or sin in others. We minimize it, justify it, or ignore it and go on our way unaffected by it. If … More What is the godly reaction to sin?
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 