By: Phil Hopkins As a parent, from time to time we find our children trying us and the rules that we have set for them. One common ploy that they use; after they are caught doing something that they know that they shouldn’t have done is to try the excuse…
By: Obed Pineda In the winter of 57 – 58 AD, the Holy Spirit moved the apostle Paul (cf. 2nd Peter 1:21) to scribe what has repeatedly been referred to by the majority of Biblical scholars as the most profound of all of his epistles. Indeed, this widely agreed upon…
By: Obed Pineda While the Master and the Samaritan woman conversed in the presence of the twin mountains, Ebal and Gerizim, the Lord had discovered that she was unaware of Whom it was that spoke with her (cf. John 4:10). Slowly, the wool upon her eyes unraveled as their conversation…
By: Obed Pineda Between the years 48 and 49 AD, the Holy Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to scribe his epistle directed to the church in Galatia. This letter was redacted in response to the alarming pace that many of the Galatians were returning to the old law. Their quick…
By: Joel Ramirez I learn so much about behavior from watching my children. One child will come in from outside crying with the second one not far behind, also crying. As a parent, you have the challenge of finding out what happened. The first child is holding their head and…
By: Obed Pineda When questioned about the authority that gave them the power to heal a man lame for forty years (cf. Acts 3:1-10, 4:22), Peter boldly proclaimed to the members of the Sanhedrin, “let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by…
By: Obed Pineda The inspired Paul wrote, “let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17). A proper exegesis (“critical interpretation or explanation…
By: Obed Pineda In literature, foreshadowing is frequently used to tease the reader about a dramatic event that will be taking place as one reads further on. Subtle clues that can easily be dismissed by the reader as insignificant or unimportant, typically reveal their value when the event it foretold…
By: Obed Pineda It is an undeniable truth that when conflicts arise between two parties, collateral damage is inevitable. The people closest to those engaged in a conflict are affected by the outcome, especially if a viable solution that leads to reconciliation cannot be reached. Depending on the gravity of…
By: Obed Pineda In the West Bank of modern day Palestine, the Arab Village of Beitin is inhabited by an estimated amount of 400 villagers. Its source of water is supplied by four springs which in ancient times was supplemented by a reservoir carved in the rock south of Beitin.…