Estudos Bíblicos

For some of us, we are over a month into this “new normal” of practicing social distancing and spending most of our time in our homes, rather than shuffling about from one activity, work commitment, social outing, or errand run to another. Prior to this unprecedented halt in our daily routines, our American life could be described by one common expression: I’m just so busy.  Granted, I know not all of us feel like it’s a vacation being at home, still attempting to work, while taking care of children and now homeschooling. Quarantining is not stressless nor is it a walk in the park to juggle all the hats you wear at home without the help of the community. Even so, there is a good chance your family is enjoying free evenings, open weekends, and those calendars are more open than they ha...

Currently, I have a family member in the ICU. She’s been in the hospital for over a week now, and due to the Coronavirus outbreak not one of her family members or friends can visit. I understand the pain and grief that my family is in as they sit idly by waiting for calls from the hospital. But imagining the isolation and loneliness that the hospital without a loved one must bring is unsettling. Being able to hold firm to the promise that “the Lord does whatever pleases Him” is a comforting thought. It is not cruel, defeating, or deflating. Rather, it has built my spirit and bolstered my faith. In the midst of a global pandemic, where grief, despair, and uncertainty are plaguing the world, Psalm 135:6 brings hope and peace to the darkest of our quarantine times.  What Is the Meaning o...

9. Jesus Spoke Often about Devastation Before His Second Coming Slide 6 of 6 “Then, he said to them, nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven” (Matthew 21:10-11). Jesus also mentioned war and many other catastrophes. In fact, the cataclysmic events during the second coming will rival the creation of the universe (Matthew 24:21). Think about how the weapons of war have increased since’ Jesus’ time. In his day, soldiers fought with swords and spears and arrows. Today, the thermonuclear killing zone stretches all the way around the world. 10. Jesus Invites All Jesus is no respecter of only certain persons. He invites people of all races, cultures, an...

Reason #10: Christians Are to Rescue Jesus from “Nice” Slide 5 of 5 Now, as in the days of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, it’s overridingly important to invite, to cajole, to maybe even challenge someone in a humorous way until he or she says, “Okay, I’ll read the Jesus story with you.” When you sit down to do just that, remember Jesus’ example: Ask them to read a few verses aloud. Then ask them what it means. When you get to something Jesus says or does, ask them what they think of what Jesus just said or did. Then ask: “Do you think Jesus is just trying to be nice?” This is true even when Jesus is talking one-on-one with Nicodemus (John 3:1-16) and with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-26). Of course not. Jesus isn’t simply ‘nice.’ He doesn’t overlook what needs to be tended. That’s the who...

Dear Roger, We spend a lot of time in the book of Revelation trying to figure out what it means for our future. We try to figure out the identity of the Antichrist and the meaning of the seals, trumpets and bowls of God’s wrath. However, we seldom have a discussion about what happens to the various nations when Christ returns. Which nations will be cast into the lake of fire? Which ones will enter into the Millennium? What are the criteria that Jesus uses to judge the nations of the world? Sincerely, Heather Dear Heather, Let me answer with three simple observations. First, let’s overview the actions of the nations as described in Revelation. Second, we will look at Psalm 2 which is a poetic view of what happens when the nations turn from fighting each other to combining their forces again...

What Can Christians Learn from Naomi? Although it appears that Naomi is sulking throughout the narrative, if we’re patient and pick through contextual clues, we can see that she actually has a sweet and caring spirit. Christians can learn a lot from Naomi about perseverance, especially while navigating difficult circumstances. 1. God Continues to Move During Hardships We can often feel abandoned by God when tragedy strikes. Naomi by no means had an easy go of things. In a foreign land she loses her husband and her two sons, and returns back to her hometown with no prospects and with very little means to survive. As she faithfully journeys forth, God still continues to work—and he does in our lives, too, when we face our most difficult seasons. By Naomi opening her heart and life to Ruth, w...