By: Obed Pineda If an acquaintance who has observed your faithful devotion to God were to approach you and ask, “What is the most difficult challenge a Christian must learn to overcome on this narrow path?” what would your answer be? Chances are that the most popular response that appeared…
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: 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.…
By: Obed Pineda The Golden Gate is a narrow strait in California where the Pacific Ocean enters to meet the San Francisco Bay. This aquatic body spans approximately two miles with Marin County to the north of it and the city of San Francisco to its south. San Francisco was…
By: Obed Pineda Some time ago, I heard it said that not everyone has “the gift” of giving gifts. When I first heard this expression, my eyebrows furrowed in wonder as to why the expression was spoken? Admittedly, one reason for my puzzled look was out of worry and concern,…