Live in the Light: Do Life, Answering Questions

By Benjamin H. Liles

          After having a light breakfast earlier, and then a nap, I decided to write at least one more article before I go help my parents with whatever project they need done. So, about this article, "Answering Questions," took a little time to think on. I'd like to think this will be a short letter, not necessarily a long one.

         I know Peter addressed the issue of answering questions by saying, "But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ" (1 Peter 3:15-, Berean Study).

Live in the Light: Do Life

By Benjamin H. Liles

          I had a very interesting dream just a little bit ago. In the dream I had I was conversing with Someone I could not see. At the same time I was being shown a group of cynical, questioning people. One thing I kept hearing from "Someone" was "Be the light as I am the Light." I knew in my heart then and there who the Someone was: Jesus, my Lord and Messiah. Here's the thing, it's okay to question things and to be cynical. At this moment in time I cannot and dare not declare myself a pastor or even a minister of any church. But I feel a very strong calling to "Do life with others, and be a light."

Death Conquered

 By, Benjamin H. Liles

          I'm just going to get to the point quickly tonight. We all know the story of David and Goliath within the pages of the Bible. Goliath was a giant the Philistines used to scare and scatter the armies of Saul's people of Israel. The story goes that this young man comes to see his brothers, David, and gets tired of hearing Goliath tormenting and harassing the people under Saul's command. He cannot wear the armor that Saul gave to him, so he goes to a stream, picks out certain pebbles, and goes to fight Goliath.

Poor in Spirit

By Benjamin H. Liles

          While at the store this morning, getting some food my wife and I need for our home, it was impressed upon me, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," Jesus taught (Matthew 5:3, New King James). It's an interesting thing to me as well. My wife and I don't receive much for the course of the month. But what exactly is Christ, the Messiah, saying in that verse? While I looked up what poor is in Greek, for that's the language the New Testament is written in, one gets a sense that the idea of poor is as how a beggar comes forward: begging, cowering, crouching.

Did God Kill Jesus?

By Benjamin H. Liles

          The reason so many turn from a message of Christ crucified is that they see God as some angry, punishing disciplinarian who just couldn't wait to kill Jesus, His Son, the Messiah. They look at the verse where Jesus has given the parable of the talents, it reads, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours" (Matthew 25:24-25).