Two Minutes With The Bible

[nChrist]

Mar 23

COLUMBUS THE BELIEVER

By Cornelius R. Stam

Everybody knows that Columbus discovered America, but few people know Columbus the sincere believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, who braved the dangers of the ocean vastness mainly because it was his deep desire to bring the gospel to the Indies. His perseverance in the face of almost insurmountable odds should be a lesson to God’s people. Centuries before Columbus, Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers:

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Cor. 15:58).

This stirring appeal of Paul to Christians everywhere (I Cor. 1:2), implies that there is a tendency to abandon the work of the Lord through discouragement or carelessness, for he pleads with us to be "steadfast," and "unmovable" -- not easily shaken, reminding us that our "labor is not in vain in the Lord."

How we need the exhortation!

We do not soon abandon our businesses or our homes. We work on in spite of difficulties and obstacles, and when the outlook is darkest we often toil the hardest. Sometimes our bodies suffer for it, but we do not immediately give up.

If this is so where our own affairs are concerned, how much more should it be so where the things of God and the needy multitudes about us are concerned! If it is so where temporal matters are concerned, how much more should it be so where eternity is involved!

Christians, let us awake! Let us "buy up the time!" Life is too short to fritter away the precious moments. Let us rather neglect our own affairs than to neglect the work of the Lord and the perishing souls about us.

________________________

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Mar 24

THE APOSTLE OF GRACE

By Cornelius R. Stam

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus was an amazing event. Saul loathed the very name of Christ. He blasphemed Him and caused others to be tortured so as to compel them to blaspheme that holy name. He led his nation and the world in rebellion against the resurrected, glorified Christ -- the world which had already disowned and crucified the lowly Jesus.

But as Saul went to Damascus, still "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1), God did a wonderful thing.

Rather than crush the leader of the world’s rebellion, He saved him. Christ broke through the heavens, as it were, to speak words of pity to His greatest enemy on earth. As a result Saul’s rebellious spirit was broken and in one moment the pitiless persecutor became the docile, indeed the devoted follower of Christ.

More than this, Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor, became Paul the Apostle. To him the glorified Lord committed "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:2) and "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Now he went everywhere proclaiming grace, telling men how God loved them, how Christ had come into the world and had gone to Calvary to pay man’s debt of sin so that believing sinners might be saved.

"The gospel of the grace of God," found in Paul’s epistles, does not blame anyone for the death of Christ. Rather it presents the cross as good news. It declares that "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). It says that "God hath concluded them all in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all" (Rom. 11:32) and that "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20). Thus the vilest sinner may believe and rejoice in the consciousness of sins forgiven.

________________________

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Mar 25

THE LOVE OF GOD

By Cornelius R. Stam

Millions of people -- even religious people -- are afraid of God and are struggling to earn His favor. They suppose that salvation is the reward of showing enough love to Him. If only they would believe what God Himself says, that if we are ever saved it will be entirely because He loved us and graciously provided for our salvation.

The Apostle Paul, in the Bible, called God "the God of love" (II Cor. 13:11) and John declared that "God IS love" (1 John 4:8). Thus John goes on to say:

"HEREIN IS LOVE, NOT THAT WE LOVED GOD, BUT THAT HE LOVED US and sent His Son to be the propitiation [satisfaction] for our sins" (1 John 4: 10).

This is why salvation is so often called a "gift" in the Bible. It is the expression of God’s love to sinners. And so St. Paul tells us:

"[We] were by nature the children of wrath, even as others, BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)" (Eph. 2:3-5).

"...after that THE KINDNESS AND LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR TOWARD MAN appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS MERCY He saved us..." (Tit. 3:4,5). Does all this mean that God overlooks sin or condones it?

By no means! In His love He paid for our sins on Calvary’s cross "that He might be Just, and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26). This is why we read in Rom. 5:8:

"...GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS CHRIST DIED FOR US."

________________________

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Mar 29

TRUE EVANGELISM

By Cornelius R. Stam

In St. Paul’s mighty Epistle to the Romans he declares "the gospel [good news] of God... concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 1:1-3).

The good news which Paul proclaimed was essentially about Christ. He was always talking about Christ. His epistles were filled with Christ. In his message Christ was everything.

This is in striking contrast to much of modern evangelism, which is not Christ-centered, but man-centered. Dr. A. W. Tozer, shortly before his death, wrote:

"The flaw in current evangelism lies in its humanistic approach... It is frankly fascinated by the great, noisy, aggressive world with its big names, its hero worship, its wealth and pageantry... This gross misapprehension of the truth is back of much... of our present evangelical activity...

"This concept of Christianity is a radical error, and because it touches the souls of men it is a dangerous, even deadly, error... It is little more than a weak humanism allied with weak Christianity to give it ecclesiastical respectability... Invariably it begins with man and his needs and then looks around for God, while true Christianity reveals God as searching for man to deliver him from his ambitions."

Tozer was right in this. God’s good news for the world is about Christ and His power and love in defeating Satan, overcoming death, nailing the Law to His cross and paying for man the just penalty for sin, so that all who believe might be justified. This is why Paul’s gospel is called in Scripture "the gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24) and "the gospel of the glory of Christ" (II Cor. 4:4).

To enter experientially into the truth of this good news is the greatest blessing one can possibly enjoy.

________________________

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Mar 30

Practical Instructions for Our Teens

By Paul M. Sadler, President

Scripture Reading:

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
 -- Ephesians 6:1,2

In all likelihood mom and dad have been impressing upon you the importance of only dating and marrying those who are saved.  You may think that they are being narrow-minded, but the truth is, your parents are looking out for your spiritual well-being.  The Word of God is quite clear when it comes to the matter of separation: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (II Cor. 6:14).

Some Christian young people feel strongly that there is no harm in just dating the unsaved.  But why become emotionally involved in a relationship that has no future?  Furthermore, it is unfair to the unbelieving party who will never understand your reasoning for breaking off the relationship.  We have seen too many tragic cases where these types of associations end up in unequally yoked marriages that fail.  So, may we encourage our young people to heed the godly counsel of their parents, for in so doing, you will spare yourself a lifetime of heartache.

But where can a Christian young person find Mr. or Mrs. Right?  Since faithful believers do not frequent worldly establishments your search must begin where the Lord's people gather.  You must take the initiative to regularly attend church services, conferences, youth groups and camp meetings.  In the meantime, a young man should be working toward financial stability while the young ladies learn to cook.  After all, there is a limitation to McDonald's!

________________________

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Mar 31

IS REVIVAL POSSIBLE?

By Cornelius R. Stam

We have received responses from several friends who conclude from such passages as II Tim. 3:1-13 that there cannot possibly be a revival before the Lord comes for His own.

We have never concurred in this view. Verses 2-7 of this passage describe the condition of the ungodly about us. These have "a form of godliness" but not the reality and it is these who will "wax worse and worse" (Vers. 5,13). "From such" the Spirit exhorts us to "turn away" (Ver. 5). But why, in the midst of these "perilous times" should the Church not be strong and united? The Word of God often shines brightest when the days are darkest.

It is true that our Lord said about the coming "tribulation," that "because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matt. 24:12), but this was a prediction concerning a particular situation, and while similar causes often produce similar effects, this is not always so. Not infrequently the wickedness of the world has driven saints to their knees and to the Word, with blessed results. True spiritual revival takes place in the blood-bought Church of God not in the wicked world about it. That which is dead cannot be revived but that which has life can and should be. We know of no Scripture that should deter us from praying for a true spiritual awakening among God’s people. Indeed we must be careful lest we cease praying and toiling for a revival on the grounds that "times are getting worse and worse and there’s not going to be, a revival."

It seems to us that one of the surest ways to grow spiritually indifferent ourselves is to conclude that God will not grant us a spiritual awakening no matter what we do.

________________________

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Apr 1

PAUL’S LETTER TO THE ROMANS

By Cornelius R. Stam

One of the most enlightening books of the Bible, and indeed of all literature, is St. Paul’s great Epistle to the Romans.

Paul was by nature and training a logician, perhaps the greatest logician of all time, and in this case his words were Spirit-inspired, so that we have in his Epistle to the Romans a powerful logical argument about God and man, condemnation and justification. It is wonderful thus to have God’s plan of salvation explained for us. This is all too lacking in modern evangelism.

The doctrinal argument of Romans begins with a demonstration of the moral depravity of man. It says, even to the self-righteous: "Thou art inexcusable..." (2:1).

The Apostle then goes on to show that the Law was given, not to help men to be good, but "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God" (3:19). The conclusion: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (3:20).

The Apostle presses his argument further by showing how the Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself as a satisfaction for sin that we might be "justified freely by [God’s] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (3:24). His conclusion again: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without [apart from] the deeds of the law" (3:28). "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:1).

Next he shows how those who trust in Christ are "baptized into Christ" (6:3), made one with Him by faith. The final conclusion: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (8:1).

And the Apostle closes the doctrinal part of this great epistle by exclaiming:

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? ...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (8:33,35).

Our advice to those who have questions about salvation:

Study Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, thoughtfully and prayerfully.

________________________

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(My Note:  Complete assurance of Salvation is reality for those who have Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Read this carefully and you will see this beautiful truth.)

Apr 2

GRIEVE NOT THE SPIRIT

By Cornelius R. Stam

The first lesson each believer in Christ should learn is that immediately upon believing he is given everlasting life. Referring to this fact Ephesians 1:13,14 says:

"In whom ye also trusted, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also having believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."

Mark well, the believer is not sealed by the Holy Spirit, but "with" the Holy Spirit. The Spirit Himself is the seal. Every sincere believer in Christ, then, should rejoice in an accomplished redemption and rest in the fact that the Holy Spirit will keep him eternally safe.

But while we cannot lose the Holy Spirit we can, and often do, grieve the Holy Spirit, as we read in Eph. 4:30. This is why we are told in Rom. 8:26 that the Spirit "helpeth our infirmities" and makes intercession for us, that we might live lives which please and honor God.

The wonderful fact is, however, that "nothing," not even an aggrieved Spirit shall "separate us from the love of God" (Rom. 8:38,39). Thus in the same breath with which the Apostle exhorts us not to grieve the Spirit he again reassures us that this same Spirit keeps us eternally safe:

"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30).

Does this encourage careless living? Those who think so have missed the whole point of Paul’s appeal. The Apostle does not warn the believer that if he grieves the Spirit he will be lost. Rather, in grace he exhorts: "Do not grieve the very Spirit who in mercy and love has sealed you as forever His own. Do not repay such love with such ingratitude."

________________________

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Apr 3

WHY GOD WAITS

By Cornelius R. Stam

St. Peter was not wrong when he declared at Pentecost that the last days had begun (Acts 2:16,17). They had indeed begun, but God had a secret plan to give the world a period of grace before putting down its rebellion and sending Christ to reign.

This secret purpose concerning "the dispensation of the grace of God" is the subject of Paul’s epistles. However, it is interesting to see how Peter’s last message explains the reason for this interruption in God’s prophesied program and the delay in Christ’s return to reign. First, he says in II Peter 3:8:

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that ONE DAY IS WITH THE LORD AS A THOUSAND YEARS, AND A THOUSAND YEARS AS ONE DAY."

Mark well, this is not our feeble explanation now as to the delay in Christ’s return. This statement was made at the beginning of this time of waiting, at the dawn of the age of grace. But let us go on with Peter’s declaration:

"The Lord is NOT SLACK concerning His promise... BUT IS LONGSUFFERING to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (Ver. 9).

So the delay in Christ’s return to judge and reign should not be counted "slackness" or laxness, but longsuffering. Thus the Apostle goes on to say:

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is SALVATION..." Where did Peter get this information? How did he know about "the dispensation of the grace of God"? Verse 15 explains:

"Even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you."

To Paul particularly was committed "the gospel of the grace of God" which we proclaim today (Acts 20:24). Peter recognized this (Gal. 2:2,7,9), and closed his second epistle with the exhortation:

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Pet. 3:18).

________________________

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Apr 4

A FAMOUS YOUNG MAN

By Cornelius R. Stam

Has it ever occurred to you how Timothy became so famous a young man?

H. L. Hastings tells of a group of British archeologists who, years ago, came upon a huge marble slab, evidently very ancient, high atop a mountain where no one would be apt to find it -- or remove it.

Experts were called upon to decipher the hieroglyphics which covered the marble monument. They found them to be a declaration by an ancient ruler of his great exploits, and an explanation that he had used this means of recording his deeds so as to secure to himself everlasting fame.

The trouble was that no one could find any historical account of a king who bore this name or who had accomplished the glorious exploits recorded on the marble slab! Thus the archeologists had found, engraved in marble, a glowing self-tribute to -- whom? It might as well have been to nobody!

By striking contrast, young Timothy has been well known by Christian people all over the world for nearly two thousand years! During all this time, without interruption, he has been read about, written about, preached about and used as an example of consistent Christian conduct. Yet, have you ever read one great deed done by Timothy? Have you ever read of one great sermon from his lips, one brilliant book or letter from his pen, one great exploit of any kind? No, you hardly know more than that he was a young preacher, a friend of Paul, and that he had been taught the Scriptures in early life by his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice (II Tim. 1:5), so that Paul could now write to him:

"...FROM A CHILD THOU HAST KNOWN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, WHICH ARE ABLE TO MAKE THEE WISE UNTO SALVATION, THROUGH FAITH WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS" (II Tim. 3:15).

________________________

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Apr 5

A GIFT FOR YOU

By Cornelius R. Stam

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

In the light of the Pauline epistles these well-known words have become more appropriate than when our Lord first spoke them. Through Paul, Christ’s redemptive work at Calvary has been proclaimed and fully explained. In this light, then, we suggest that our readers take the time to really meditate on this passage about God’s greatest gift to man.

Think of the love that prompted it! "God so loved...." We were the "children of disobedience" and "by nature the children of wrath, even as others" (Eph. 2:2,3). We deserved judgment, "but God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us," gave His best, His all, to save us (Eph. 2:4).

Think of its priceless value! "His only begotten Son -- everlasting life." Christ, the holy One, had to be given up to disgrace and death in order that our sins might be justly dealt with, and that we might become the rightful heirs of everlasting life (Rom. 3:25,26).

Think of your need of this gift! "...that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish...." How perilous not to accept "the gift of God, eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23)! What folly to spurn or ignore a gift we need so sorely!

Finally, think how gracious the offer!  "...that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Whosoever believeth! Any sinner may have this gift by simply believing, accepting in simple faith what God says about Christ paying for our sins at Calvary. In fact, this is the only way we can become the recipients of this wonderful gift, for Rom. 4:5 declares:

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith [believing] is counted for righteousness."

________________________

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Apr 6

DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO STORIES

By Cornelius R. Stam

"Neither give heed to fables..." (1 Tim. 1:4)

As the present-day English reader comes upon the word "fables" in the Authorized Version, he is apt to think of Aesop’s Fables, but these were illustrations, while the original word muthois means simply stories, including stories of imagined incidents or events.

There are two types of stories that have exerted an amazing influence upon twentieth century Christendom.  One is the novel, the other the promotional story.

In considering the above passage, this writer examined the contents of the popular Christian periodicals coming to his desk and was astonished to find how many of them were largely filled with fiction and with stories written to promote projects or viewpoints.  The Apostle says about such stories that they raise questions but do not answer them, for stories really prove nothing.  This is also true of many Christian films.

Many Christian novels have indeed exerted a savory influence upon their readers -- when they have been founded upon Scriptural truths and principles. Obviously, however, an author can make his novel "prove" exactly what he wishes to prove, for the novel involves us in a world of make-believe.  Thus a novel can be dangerous to Christian faith and practice.

The promotional story holds, perhaps, an even more prominent place in our popular Christian magazines.  No one can object to factual reports of what God has wrought, but too many of these stories are nothing more than promotional efforts.  Many of these "success stories" are so successful that thoughtful readers question their validity and are apt to lay them aside without even finishing them. Less discerning readers, however, are often deeply moved by them.

We are well aware that our objections are not popular, but we are not trying to be popular;  we are trying to help sincere Christians find their way back, step by step, to renewed spiritual power.  This power has been too long frittered away by substituting the will of man for the Word of God.

________________________

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Apr 7

THE EYES OF THE LORD

By Cornelius R. Stam

"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him" (II Chron. 16:9).

The meaning of this famous passage of Scripture is clear, and its truth has been demonstrated a thousand times over. God is constantly searching, as it were, for men whom He can bless and use in the fulfilling of His purposes, but for whom, and through whom, does He accomplish His ends?

He does not need the world’s influential giants, for He says in Zech. 4:6: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." He does not need the world’s great thinkers, for our Lord, while on earth, prayed: "Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight" (Matt. 11:25,26). Indeed, St. Paul declares, in I Cor. 3:19: "The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."

No, it is not upon the world’s great ones that God bestows His blessing and power; it is rather upon the humblest believer whose heart is right with Him. Thus it is that by divine inspiration St. Paul wrote to those in ancient Corinth who had trusted Christ as their Savior:

"Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory [boast] in His presence" (I Cor. 1:26-29).

To those of us who believe that God created the Universe from nought all this is perfectly consistent and it gives us confidence that He can bless and use even us.

________________________

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Apr 8

THE DIVINE MIRROR

By Cornelius R. Stam

In the divine Mirror, the Bible, we may behold ourselves or we may behold Christ.

It is well to use it first to behold ourselves and see the ruin sin has brought. But let us not stop here.

Let a man look into a mirror and find the sun in it and the glory will be reflected in his face. And so it is with the Word. When we see ourselves in it we must necessarily be disappointed, but when we look for Him in the Word and find Him there, His glory casts its reflection upon us!

What need have we then to hide our faces? If David could say, "They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed" (Psa. 34:5), how much more should this be said of us! We know, or should know, more of Him than those of David’s day, and those Scriptures specially addressed to us send us forth, not to proclaim God’s righteous demands, but to proclaim Christ, the righteous One, who met these demands at Calvary and offers justification and life to all.

And as, in our study of the Scriptures, we turn from the shame of man to the glory of Christ; as we behold Him and see all we have and are in Him, we become constantly more like Him, "changed into the same image from glory to glory" (II Cor. 3:18).

________________________

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[nChrist]

Apr 9

THE MOST IMPORTANT HOUR OF HISTORY

By Cornelius R. Stam

The most important hour of all history was the hour when the Lord Jesus Christ died on Calvary’s cross for the sins of mankind. Often, in Scripture, the hour of our Lord’s death is called simply "the hour ," "My hour ," or "His hour." To fulfill prophecy He could not have died one hour earlier, or one later: Until that hour arrived His enemies were somehow restrained from doing Him bodily harm, so that we read in John 7:30:

"Then they sought to take Him: but no man laid hands on Him, because HIS HOUR WAS NOT YET COME" (See also John 8:20). This hour was to be for Him a time of unspeakable agony and shame. Referring to this, He said to Andrew and
Philip:

"Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save Me from this hour? But FOR THIS CAUSE CAME I UNTO THIS HOUR" (John 12:27).

He had come to die for the sins of the world and would not now turn away from the sufferings involved. But this hour of suffering and shame was also an hour of glory, for there the Son of God paid a debt which would have sunk a world to hell. This is why, at this same time, in the very shadow of the cross, He said:

"THE HOUR IS COME THAT THE SON OF MAN SHOULD BE GLORIFlED. Verily, verily I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" (John 12:23,24. See also John 17:1,2). Little wonder we read in John 3:35,36:

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE: AND HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE, BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH ON HIM."

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Two Minutes With The Bible

Reply:
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Literature:
One year's worth of Two Minutes With The Bible daily devotional articles are also available in book form, along with many other Bible study materials, in the Literature Corner section of our website at:
https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/literature