Ironworks

    We all face the temptation to believe that we know it all. We have our minds made up that we are right and we understand all things. Yet, when we look under the surface, it’s not always like that. When we look under the surface, often what is revealed is our own desired outcome is what we think is right. This is prevalent with the lifestyles of those in the world and sadly, at times, within the body of Christ.  The Scripture gives us a good example of this in the life of Job.  "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. Who determined the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who stretched the line upon it? Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner-stone thereof, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, When it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb; When I made clouds the garment thereof, And thick darkness a swad

Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.  Acts 1:21-22 What is an Apostle?      There are some in the religions of the world that claim that they are apostles. There are some religions that believe in what is called “Apostolic Succession” (i.e. Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, et al). So what does the Scripture say regarding such a claim? To begin with, we must define our terms. The term apostle (apostolos) means in the original Koine Greek “one sent, or one commissioned.” In a general sense, we understand our obligation of the great commission that is given to Christians (see Mark 16:15-16; Matt 28:18-20). We are sent out to teach, baptize, and teach more. Is this the same as the apostles of our Lord that we find in the New Testament? No, it is not the same, however, this t

"And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."  Genesis 2:7 “and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7  At the time I am writing this week, the Supreme Court of the United States has heard arguments regarding an abortion law in the state of Mississsippi which prohibits abortions from being performed after 15 weeks of pregnancy. This case will likely challenge the legal precedent of Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion in this nation. After two and a half hours of oral arguments on Wednesday, the fate of this law, and perhaps the complete legality of abortion in our nation, is going to be reviewed by the 9 justices of the highest court in this land. A decision will likely come sometime in the Spring of 2022. What we must do now is pray. We must also study, and we must teach others to value life at all times. We must

  “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him.  He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath put down princes from their thrones And hath exalted them of low degree. The hungry he hath filled with good things, And the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath given help to Israel his servant, That he might remember mercy (As he spake unto our fathers) Toward Abraham and his seed forever.”  Luke 1:46-55 Mary’s Role Given by the Lord Mary was a woman chosen by God for a particular purpose. The angel Gabriel revealed the message that she was highly favored and the Lord was with her (Lk 1:28). She was so favored of