Christian Searchlight

  What is it? “Forgetfulness of, or poor return for kindness received.” Not appreciating or valuing what you have, or have been given. Like the nation of Israel, many people don’t have time for thankfulness to God. They keep grumbling and complaining. An ungrateful attitude exists in our human nature.   1.      Characteristics – Num 11:4-9 a)      Murmuring v. 4 This is an expression of either private or public discontent or dissatisfaction. It is to complain and grumble in a low voice, stir up trouble for others. We are living in a generation of murmurers.   Murmuring seems to come naturally. A basic cause of murmuring is that too many of us seem to expect that life will flow ever smoothly, featuring an unbroken chain of green light all through.   In murmuring we become manipulative, gossipers, and cowards who try to propagate a dangerous sentiment of favouritism. It makes us distort God’s loving purpose as we ...

  Gossip – An informal conversation about other people’s private affairs. A Gossip is a person who enjoys talking about people’s private affairs. Gossip is likened to cancer. What is as cancer? It has been described as a disease in which a group of abnormal cells grow uncontrollably by disregarding the normal rules of cell division.   Normal cells are constantly subject to signals that dictate whether the cell should divide, differentiate into another cell or die. Cancer cells develop a dgree of autonomy from these signals resulting in uncontrolled growth. The disease often causes death. Literally, it is an evil or dangerous thing that spreads quickly and destroys a system. It was reported that in 2009, cancer killed 7.6million people.   Causes: -          Quest to know, have information on everything thus becoming nosy and meddlesome in other people’s matters. -          Idleness – ...

    Text: Gal 6:1-10; 1 Peter 5:5-11   Introduction: Our responsibility as believer is to work uncompromisingly as the Lord has gifted us and leads us in this life. We must fully understand that until the Lord returns there are souls to reach and ministries of every kind (sort) to be performed.             We are responsible for talents, gifts, time, energy, money, minds and spirits which God has given us. We should invest in nothing that does not someway contribute to the work of the Lord. James says, as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (Jam 2:26).             Our responsibility lies in working in the vineyard of the Lord whether it is in looking after orphans or widows in distress, giving to the hungry, the naked, visiting those in prison, serving in our work place or doing whatever we do. Col. 3:22-23.  ...

    Ye Are The Light: It is obvious that we cannot give what we don’t have. God has been in existence before He created heaven and earth. Before creation, one of the virtues of God is Light. 1 John1:5. No wonder, the first declaration of God at His wonderful works of creation was – let there be Light. Gen 1:2-5. To complete the circle, He made the great light sun to rule the day, the lesser light moon and stars to rule the night. Gen 1:16-17.   After the significant deliverance of Israelites, in leading them to the Promised Land, God manifested His presence by leading them by the Pillar of Cloud in the day and Pillar of Fire in the night. Ex. 13:21-22. This symbolize divine direction, protection, urge for action, warmth and soundness to the Israelites.   In the Old Testament, God made an everlasting covenant with King David and his seed. 2 Chr 21:7. Thereafter his service to God and his people David was known to be light of Israel even in his old age. 2...

  character study   INTRODUCTION  John is one of the most interesting and intense characters in the Bible.  Besides the “Apostle John” he is also called “John the Beloved,” “John the Evangelist” and “John the Elder.”  He is the person who was closest to Jesus during His earthly ministry.   John along with Peter and James formed Jesus inner circle.  He was also one of original twelve apostles.  John under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote a significant portion of the New Testament.  These literary works form the last five books written for the New Testament.  Furthermore, John was one of the Christianity’s founding fathers, as well a prominent leader of the churches in Jerusalem and Ephesus .   I.          Scriptures A brief scripture synopsis involving John the Apostle follows: Main Scripture One scripture verse that describes John well is: “Now as they observed the confidenc...