Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/17/2009
by Mike Ratliff But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18 ESV) Much of the heresy being taught and preached by [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/15/2009
by Mike Ratliff I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
by Mike Ratliff See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8 ESV) A principle that must be engrained in us as we run this race set before us by our God [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/11/2009
by Mike Ratliff “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household? “ (Matthew 10:24-25 [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 10/21/2009
by Mike Ratliff “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/23/2009
by Mike Ratliff Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25 ESV) [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/22/2009
... me why the Western Church is in such sad shape these days. I pray it speaks to you as it did me. – Mike Ratliff Majoring on the Minors By John P. Sartelle I am confused! Paul warns Timothy against “quarrels about words” and “irreverent babble” (2 Tim. 2:14, 16). Yet, this same Paul quarreled with those among the Galatians who diluted and changed the gospel and went so far as to say...
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/20/2009
by Mike Ratliff But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/18/2009
by Mike Ratliff “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD, Is it to inquire of me that you come? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.” (Ezekiel 20:3 ESV) The Visible Church has become largely corrupt and [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/14/2009
by Mike Ratliff The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” (Psalms 110:1 ESV) For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/10/2009
by Mike Ratliff For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17 ESV) The response to the article I wrote before I left to go visit my son [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/10/2009
by Mike Ratliff This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 11/04/2009
by Mike Ratliff Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21 ESV) My bags are packed. We have finished the first leg of our trip and tomorrow we fly to Washington, DC. This morning I received an email from a friend imploring me to go to his site and follow a link he had setup [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 10/27/2009
by Mike Ratliff The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful– for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13 ESV) God’s ways [...]
Possessing the Treasure (Free subscription) | 10/23/2009
by Mike Ratliff “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15 ESV) The Church in our time appears huge, but this is only in appearance. It is thousands of miles wide, but only a fraction of an inch deep. Much of what claims to be Christian [...]
