To make all men see….. Ephesians 3:9

Posts by Keith Shoop

When Bad Things Happen to You

Why Is This Happening to Me? It’s an age-old question: Why do bad things happen to good people?  Why do catastrophes, sickness, wars and other horrible things occur if there really is a loving God?  Doesn’t He care about us?  Is he punishing us for some reason? The answer is a simple one that is often overlooked.  Genesis 3:17-19, “And unto Adam…

Am I Good Enough To Get to Heaven?

This is a question many have asked themselves over the ages. Have my good deeds outweighed my bad deeds enough that God will let me into heaven? Fortunately, in God’s Word, we can find the answer. Rom 2:6-11 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and…

How to Study Your Bible – Part 1

Most conservative churches, Fundamentalists, Baptists, Pentecostal, Independent and Grace churches emphasize Bible study.  Bible study is important in developing a deep relationship with God.   God wrote a letter to many in the human race, so to understand God’s will it is important that you study that letter, the Bible

The problem is that many folks don’t know how to study the Bible.  Sure, it’s easy enough to just read the Bible, but much of it seems confusing.  It often appears to contradict itself.  And let’s face it, a lot of it is just boring.

How To Study Your Bible – Part 2: Which Bible Should You Study?

When it comes to Bible study, which Bible you use can be very important. When comparing Bible to Bible, verse to verse, the conclusions can be very different because the verses are very different.  Some Bibles have verses that other Bibles do not.  Often the difference in wording in two different Bible verses from different Bibles can lead to two different meanings all together.

How To Study Your Bible – Part 3: Rules and Regulations

Now that we’ve covered all of the essentials to studying the Bible, we will begin to look at the mechanics of Bible study.  There are a few rules when studying the Word, that if they are ignored, you may find yourself going down a rabbit hole.

Let’s start with these “rules” for study: 
Three things must be understood before we get into the depth of any passage in scripture.

How to Study Your Bible – Part 4: The Mechanics

Now we’ve gone through the basics of Salvation, Right Division, which Bible to use, and some basic commonsense rules to observe, we can now move on to some mechanics of Bible study.  Where does one begin?
Go For the Milk First
One of the most discouraging things for new Bible students is that you just can’t understand everything all at once.  But learning to study and understand the Word is like growing up.  No matter the age of the student or how long they’ve been saved, if the Bible has never been studied, it is best to start with the milk. 

How To Study Your Bible – Part 5: Practical Study Guides

Now that we’ve looked at how to study, we will add a few useful tips on keeping your studies alive
Remembering What You Forgot:
Did you ever hear someone say: “I used to know that!”  It can be really frustrating to know something and then forget it.  Unfortunately, most of us are like that.  That is why I would encourage anyone who takes up studying the Bible to keep notes in a notebook or on a computer file.
There are several advantages to doing this, besides forgetting what you once knew.

Forgive, Or Else

Forgive, Or Else . . . part 1  Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye…

Why Would a Perfect Man Die?

A Study of what caused the death of Jesus Christ and the importance of that death to us.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans we read the following statement.
For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Is It Ever Right To Kill?

One of the ongoing debates in our society is whether or not the death penalty is a legitimate practice of government.  There are very strong opinions on both sides of this very controversial and divisive policy. As with all issues, the answer to this question can be found in the pages of God’s Word.

IS KILLING ALWAYS MURDER?
Many, who believe that capital punishment is wrong, point to one of the 10 commandments.