One of the most common needs in the world is to be loved. We can see a multitude of ways people act, dress, speak, etc. to try to get attention, gain a following, or be respected, in other words: be loved. As Christians, we realize this need as well. Even among our number there is often behavior exhibited that shows the aspiration to be loved. But when the world is unkind to us, and our friends do not seem to be as loyal as we thought, when at times we feel unloved, we can always go back to the simple yet profound truth of that famous song we learned as children: “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so….”
John the son of Zebedee wanted a place of prominence. He, like us, wanted to be respected and placed in a position of honor. His mother, Salome, wanting this as well for her sons, asked Jesus that her boys, James and John, sit on His right and left when He came into His kingdom (Matthew 20:20-21; Mark 10:35-37; cf. Matthew 4:21). Jesus showed that she didn’t know what she was asking, and when the other disciples heard of it they were angered and envious of the move to become prominent (Matthew 20:22-24; Mark 10:41).
Christ changed James and John. These brothers, whom Jesus named the “sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17), on one occasion recommended that Jesus send fire down from heaven to consume the disrespectful Samaritans (Luke 9:52-56). When we read John’s inspired writings that make up 5 books of the New Testament, he is known as the apostle of love because love for God and one another is so prominent in his books. In writing his gospel account, instead of trying to place himself in a prominent position, he never even names himself, but rather uses the “other disciple” (John 18:16; 20:2-8) or simply “the disciple” or “that disciple” (John 19:27). His mother, Salome, is probably the one mentioned in relation to Jesus as “his mother’s sister” (John 19:25; cf. Matthew 27:56). Instead of a family movement to become prominent as was displayed when Christ was on earth, when Christ sat on His throne as king, this family of Zebedee chose to be unnamed. John’s habit is not to name himself nor any of his family members in his gospel account.
His most exalted reference to himself is “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20). John learned from Jesus’ death that it was enough for him to be loved by Jesus. He did not need fame or a following. If Jesus loved him, that was all that mattered. I hope and pray that you and I can learn the lessons that “the disciple whom Jesus loved” learned. Christ loved us enough to die for us even we were sinners (Romans 5:8). We too can turn from being vengeful to being loving, from seeking prominence to being satisfied by serving humbly in anonymity. Because Jesus loves us, and that’s all that matters.

–Mark Day

Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while
the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no
pleasure in them.”
Ah, to be young. A time of great opportunities and challenges, but also a time of great danger. The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes have more to say to youth than any other book in the Bible. Someone may ask, “Why should I remember my Creator while I am young?
Because Of The Strength That Comes From Being Young. Proverbs 20:29, “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.” Youth will often stand up for their convictions when others sit down. This is seen in the lives of Daniel and his friends. Though they were young and strangers in a foreign land, they stood up for their beliefs and overcame their trials, Daniel 1:5f.
Because Of The Weakness That Come From Being Young. Psalm 25:7, “Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.” It is easy, especially in youth, to get caught up in the “here and now” and not be concerned with the “there and then”.
Because There Are Great Blessing In Being On God’s Side. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” God through His word can guide youth through the pitfalls and traps, trial and temptations, of life. It has been said that “practice makes permanent.” What that is saying is, the way we are training our minds and hearts to think today is the way we will always think. Remembering God in youth means that good habits are formed early, allowing His word to shape attitudes, thoughts, words, and deeds into what God wants them to be. How do I remember God in my youth? Consider the following:
Delight In Studying and Meditating on God’s Word. Psalm 119:97, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” Study and meditation of God’s word should be a daily practice for the child of God.
Spend Time In Prayer To Our Heavenly Father. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” A regular prayer life should be a daily practice for the child of God.
Do Not Be Ashamed Of The Gospel. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Spreading the Gospel to friends, family, teachers, and acquaintances should be a daily practice for the child of God.
What a blessing it is to be young! However, with great blessings comes great responsibility.
Solomon warns that “that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9). Remembering God now will save you from the worst heartaches both in this life and certainly in eternity.

-Jerry Sturgill

Paul said in Philippians 1:17, “…I am set for the defense of the gospel.” Paul used the term apologia here and in verse 7, from which we get our term apologetics. Though Paul may have had a broader application in mind, when the term apologetics is used in Christian circles today it refers particularly to the defense of the existence of God, the deity of Christ, and the inspiration of the Bible.
Whereas years ago in this country the great majority of people would have acknowledged these truths, it is not uncommon for members of the church in the United States to come in contact with people who deny them. Many colleges and universities of our nation are responsible for fomenting much of the skepticism in regard to these foundational truths of Christianity. More of our young people attend schools of higher education than a century ago and are exposed to teaching that undermines the inspiration of the Bible, the deity of Christ, and even sometimes the existence of God. Thus, we cannot presuppose these truths when dealing with every individual outside of the church. Some people will need proof that God exists, that Christ is God, or that the Bible is God’s word, and solely quoting a verse of scripture will not convert someone who does not believe the Bible.
From studying the Scriptures, it is evident that Paul was an educated man. Unlike many today, Paul’s much learning did not make him go crazy, as Festus accused (Acts 26:24), but was a tool for spreading the gospel. The Holy Spirit saw fit to use Paul’s knowledge of Cretian prophets in his letter to Titus (Titus 1:12) and Stoic and Epicurean poets in his discussion at the Areopagus (Acts 17:28). Thus, the Holy Spirit shows there is a use in studying other belief systems in order meet people with their own belief systems to bring them to the truth. In keeping with that example it is good for Christians to know, for example, what the general theory of evolution involves and the alleged evidence upon which it is based. If Paul by the Spirit of God could enter into an intelligent discussion on what certain poets and prophets of a different worldview said, then certainly as a Christian I can learn the theories and viewpoints of unbelievers today in order to answer them.
We should not fear proper education, nor hide our heads in the sand, so to speak, in regard learning what unbelievers teach in regard to the Bible. Truth never suffers from an open investigation of the facts. We can help fortify our own faith and improve our impact on the world by giving time to studying apologetics.

-Mark Day

It is possible to twist the scriptures, particularly those portions which are harder to understand, to one’s own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). Satan misuses scripture to cloud the thinking of those he wishes to lead astray (Matthew 4:6), and he certainly has not gone out of business in the information age. We have so much information available to us nowadays, but much of it is bad information. When we fail to study for ourselves, but, instead, swallow whole what purported experts have to say, we make ourselves more susceptible to false teachers.

False teachers sometimes attempt to drag their objectors into deeper water so they can drown them in false doctrine. One example of this is the misuse of the original languages in which the Bible was written: Hebrew, Aramaic (in which only some very small portions of the Bible were written), and Greek. It is sad when those who are unlearned in the original languages concede to false teaching just because they believe going to the Hebrew or the Greek ultimately settles the matter. Thankfully, we have defenders of truth that are able to swim in these deeper waters of original languages and expose the falsehood. It is so good to have sound scholars in these original languages to consult from time to time.

Not every Christian needs to be a scholar in Hebrew and Greek to remain faithful to God. However, there is at least one principle in regard to consulting the original languages of the Bible of which every member of the church should be aware. It is context. How a word fits into the sentence in which it is used, as well as the paragraph, the book, and the overall teaching of the Bible is tremendously important. The chief component in deciding a meaning of a word is to see how it is used in its context. Though lexicons and other language tools can help us understand the origin and root meaning of word and its essential idea, Hebrew and Greek words are just like English words in the sense that their meaning depends on the context in which they are used. So if someone cites an original language in the Bible passage you are studying and gives you some grammatical rules that you don’t understand because you have never studied them, remember to consider if what they are saying will fit into the context of the passage at hand. Hebrew and Greek lexicographers and grammarians are too often looked to as the ultimate authority when in reality they too must consider the context and do some interpretation in arriving at the meaning of a word.

Do not be overwhelmed by the use of languages unknown to you. Though they are a benefit to those who take the time to learn them, you can know what the Bible says by consulting some reliable English translations and remembering to consider the context.

–Mark Day

Paul reminded the Corinthians, who were arrogant in spite of their many spiritual flaws, to examine themselves. In regard to the manner of observing the Lord’s Supper, Paul said, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” In regard to the manner in which we approach the Lord in worship we should examine our motives and actions. Later, in 2 Corinthians, after responding to their scrutiny of him, Paul bids them to take a taste of their own medicine by saying, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” The Corinthians, like all Christians, needed to do a spiritual inventory to make sure they had enough of the proper faith.
If we are honest with ourselves, we will recognize our shortcomings and see the need for improvements in our Christian lives. In our prayers, we should be like the apostles who on one occasion called on the Lord to increase their faith (Luke 17:5). Like the father of the demoniac who cried out with tears, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24), we also have a part of us that believes and a part of us that doubts. We must increase that part which believes.
How do we increase our faith? By imbibing of the word of God. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” At the Jerusalem conference, Peter mentioned the conversion of the first Gentiles by saying, “Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe” (Acts 15:7). The word of the gospel is how faith comes and how it increases. We must take time to read and meditate upon God’s word so that we have sufficient faith (Psalm 1:1-3; 119:97; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15).
Times will come in our lives when our faith is tested. It will either become firmer or fail. When the apostles were out on the sea caught in a terrible storm they feared; Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25). When it comes to the storms of life, where is your faith? Will you have fortified your faith enough to remain true to God even in dark days? James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” If our faith passes the test, then we can be assured that God will carry us through to the heavenly goal. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Ask yourself these questions about your faith:
Where is my faith?
Is my faith stronger now than when I obeyed the gospel?
Am I more active in the work of the Lord now than one, five, or ten years ago?
Do I visit the sick?
Do I have personal Bible studies with others?
How much time a week, beside that spent in regular church services, do I take to spend time in prayer and Bible study alone and with my family?

-Mark Day