A rabbi was one who would tell a person how to live. Paul was taught by the respected rabbi Gamaliel. John the Baptist was a rabbi but one that was not accepted by the establishment of the rabbi's during the time of Jesus. The Master Rabbi was Jesus who was rejected by the established rabbi's. The disciples recognized Jesus as the Master Rabbi and strove to follow Him.

Habbakuk originally did not understand why God was using Babylon to punish both Judah and Assyria. But the captivity and eventual rebuilding of Judah resulted in a place for Christ to be born. God's plan is not always clear to us in what He is working out. At the end of Habbakuk, he understood that God was sovereign.

It is clear to most people that the problems this world faces are insurmountable. God is aware of this condition and expresses that He wills for all mankind to be saved. Yet the plan that He is working out to do so has not been understood by most. Christ did not reveal this plan to the masses that He taught while on earth.

Barnabas was a early follower of Jesus but was not one of the original Apostles. His role in the early Church sprung from his ability to encourage and console. He was a valuable support and help to Paul. His lesson is important for us today.

The traditional belief in the doctrine of hell is undergoing change. More churches are questioning the three legs that support this long held belief. Mr. New covers the three basic assumptions that pertain to this traditional belief. Assumptions such as the teaching of an immortal soul. What is the final state of the wicked? And who are the wicked and how will God bring them to ultimate justice?

The apostle Paul mentions three important facets of spiritual growth: faith, hope and love. And that we should be seeking those attributes of God. Discouragement is a part of this age but hope is an anchor that can keep us focused on God's purpose for mankind and the promise of God's coming Kingdom to this world.

God has recorded the history of what Israel experienced in the wilderness, and their responses to God, for our learning. Israel forgot how they were delivered and the promises that God gave to them. They were provided for by miracles and granted what they requested from God. However they still placed limits on what they thought God was able to perform.

Humanity is in need of many kinds of healing. Spiritual healing is the most universal healing that this world needs in order to be reconciled to God. Our most often requested need in this life is for physical healing. Our physical healing is done to cultivate a better relationship with God. Looking to His mercy, help and deliverance.

Some in Corinth, being influenced by false teaching, were not believing in Christs resurrection. Paul was a strong witness to Corinth of the reality of Christ's resurrection. The promise being that as Christ was the first born from the dead so will be those who follow Him. The resurrection to a life without end as promised throughout scriptures and made possible by Christ's resurrection.

Concepts of shame and honor in scripture are different than those of the Western view. Honor in the scriptures are associated with humility and respect where shame is associated with pride and wrong motives.

The topic of Grace is often misunderstood. Grace is an undeserved and unmerited pardon from God. Yet there is even more to the topic of grace. There is an obligation on our part. Law is necessary to define sin and it's consequences. Grace is necessary for sinners to be forgiven.

God gave us free will so we could choose but God wants us to choose His will for our lives. God ordered the people of Israel to choose but told them to choose life. Jesus sought His Father's will above His own life. That choice to serve God and be conformed to His will is going to have to be made by all of humanity before they can enter into eternal life. God is entrusting us to choose eternal life?

Nineveh repented at Jonah's warning from God. God is and has always been actively involved in man's history on the world stage. Both in times past as well as today. God judges according to works. As for Jonah why was he displeased when Nineveh repented? He may have forgotten his role as a prophet. The church cannot forget it's job description which is to preach the Kingdom of God to this world. God had mercy on Nineveh as well as patience with Jonah.

Simply believing in God and just reading the bible, by itself, does not reveal God's purpose for human existence. God's glory is described as God dwelling with His people Israel. Later God's glory came to the temple during Solomon's time. Today God's glory is reflected by His presence in the lives of His people. God's Plan is for his children to one day dwell in glory with Christ and the Father forever.

Jesus tells those who follow Him how much Satan influences society and us individually. Jesus did understand this. Humans are normally blind to it. The power to overcome is God's divine power. This power is available to those who have a close relationship with God and who ask for help and protection. Jesus included this in what we know as The Lord's Prayer. When we resist the Devil, he will flee from us.

Revelation describes a global false religious system that will be extant just before Christ's return to earth. With widespread deception covering most of the earth at that time there will still be those who have proven themselves to be loyal to Jesus Christ. That group of people are designated in Revelation 17:14 as the called, the chosen and the faithful.

The Apostle Paul addressed the church of his day, including himself, as those who were faithful in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:1). Paul was not speaking to a wider audience on that occasion. But to those who had freely decided to yield themselves to the calling which came from the Father through Christ. A wrong understanding of predestination makes God responsible for the evil events in this age.

The Fall Holy Days are a time of rejoicing, of giving and serving others. God makes plain when and how to observe His Feast days and the hope that they picture.

Sodom is known for sexual sins but they were also condemned for the same sins as were found in other nations. Namely, pride, arrogance, idleness and not strengthening the hands of the needy. God warned Israel even before they entered the promised land not to forget His blessings but Israel followed in some of the same sins as Sodom and other nations that God had judged previously. Homosexuality is condemned along with those other sins.

God considers that Israel is His nation. Anyone wanting to come to Him must be joined to Israel. All who have the Holy Spirit are now spiritual Israel. All those who were part of physical Israel will have their minds opened and be able to understand the fullness of what God has in store for them upon their resurrection as depicted by the Holy Days. All humans who ever lived will be able to have their opportunity in due course, each in their time.