The issue of using phrases like “OMG” or words like “geez” is a controversial one among Christians. Some believe that these are clear violations of the third commandment to not take the Lord’s name in vain. Others think there is more nuance and that the intention behind the words matters more than the words themselves. Looking carefully at what the Bible says can help shed light on this debate. The Third Commandment The third of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God is: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord…
Author: Mike Solis
The Meunites were an ancient people group that descended from Meun, the fourth son of Canaan according to Genesis 10:13. Not much is known about their origins, but they are mentioned a few times in the Old Testament as one of the tribes inhabiting the Promised Land during the time of the Israelite conquest. Here is a 9000 word overview of what the Bible reveals about this obscure group: The first clear reference to the Meunites is in Genesis 15:19-21, where God promises the land of Canaan to Abraham and lists the peoples currently living there. The Meunites are included…
The phrase “to die is gain” comes from Philippians 1:21, where Paul writes: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This verse has prompted much discussion over what exactly Paul meant when he said that to die is gain. To understand this phrase, it’s important to look at the context. Philippians 1 starts with Paul expressing his gratitude for the Philippian church and his prayers for their continued spiritual growth. He then explains that although he is imprisoned, he is still able to advance the gospel through his circumstances. He states that some preach Christ…
The topic of what to do with a loved one’s remains after death is an important one that Christians should thoughtfully consider in light of biblical principles. The Bible does not explicitly prohibit or command any one method for caring for the dead, leaving room for Christians to make wise decisions based on their conscience and situation. Burial is presented in the Bible as a common practice and acceptable option. Genesis 23 records Abraham securing a burial place for his wife Sarah in the cave of Machpelah. Several key figures in biblical history, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and King David,…
The Mandela Effect refers to a phenomenon where a large number of people have a false memory about an event or fact. The name refers to many people erroneously remembering that Nelson Mandela died in prison in the 1980s, when in fact he lived until 2013. Some examples of commonly reported instances of the Mandela Effect include: People remembering the children’s book series The Berenstain Bears as The Berenstein Bears. People remembering that Queen’s song as saying “We are the champions” instead of “We are the champions of the world.” People remembering the country South Africa being further east than…
The story of David and Ish-Bosheth takes place during the transition of power from King Saul to David in Israel. After Saul’s death, his son Ish-Bosheth was anointed as king over Israel by Abner, the commander of Saul’s army (2 Samuel 2:8-9). However, David had already been anointed by Samuel as the next king years earlier when Saul fell out of God’s favor (1 Samuel 16:1-13). This created a division in Israel between those who supported Ish-Bosheth and those loyal to David. Ish-Bosheth reigned over Israel from Mahanaim in the Transjordan for two years while David ruled from Hebron in…
Galatians 6:8 says, “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” This verse uses an agricultural metaphor to illustrate the consequences of living according to either our sinful nature or the Holy Spirit. Let’s break down what it means to “sow to the Spirit.” Sowing and Reaping Farming requires sowing seeds in order to later reap a harvest. The seeds that are sown produce plants that yield the desired crop. Paul draws on this imagery to describe how…
Having a church family provides countless benefits and blessings. Here are some of the key values of being part of a church community: Fellowship One of the greatest values of having a church family is the gift of Christian fellowship. As Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” God did not design believers to follow Him in isolation. We need fellowship, community, and…
Bezalel and Oholiab were two gifted artisans assigned by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings during the Israelites’ time in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. Their contributions were vital in ensuring that the Tabernacle, the portable place of worship for the Israelites, was constructed according to God’s precise instructions. Bezalel was specifically called out and appointed for this task by God: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and…
The fig tree prophecy refers to a prophecy made by Jesus in the Gospels regarding the signs of his second coming and the end times. It is based on the parable of the fig tree found in Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, and Luke 21:29-33. In the parable, Jesus tells his disciples that when they see the fig tree and other trees starting to put forth leaves, they know that summer is near. He then states: “So also, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, at the very gates.” (Matthew 24:33) “These things” refer to the…