Have you ever heard of someone who died in the midst of great poverty, only to be discovered to have been very, very wealthy? Some of us live our Christian lives just like this-looking like spiritual paupers, while all the time we have a spiritual bank account that reveals that we are rich. As you study this letter to the Ephesians, make note of all that you, as a Christian, have in your heavenly bank account: adoption, acceptance, redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, inheritance, the seal of the Holy Spirit, life, grace, and citizenship-every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

It seems false teaching was threatening the doctrinal purity of the church of Colosse. From Greek philosophy to Jewish legalism to Oriental mysticism, the enemy was attempting to infiltrate and twist the pure and true doctrine of Christianity. Paul's letter to the Colossians was written in response to this disturbing news. His aim was to warn the church and point them back to the truth. He had but one major answer to all of the erroneous teaching-Christ is supreme-therefore faith in Christ is sufficient. If we could but grasp the enormity of this truth, it could change our lives forever

Could you be joyful if you found yourself in prison? Most of us would have to say no ... but Paul could easily say yes ... you see, he had learned the secret of being content in any and every situation-even in prison and even in chains. How would you like to learn this secret? How would you like to have joy in the midst of your "prison"? Well Paul says you can and will show you the way in his letter to the Philippian church. So let us arise, drop our chains, and find our joy

We are about to embark on an incredible journey A journey which will take us from the rocky Island of Patmos on the Aegean Sea to a scenic view of the seven selected churches of Asia Minor, from which we will get a vantage point of the seven stages of church history. From there we will look beyond to some of the more significant and inspiring aspects of this unique book of the Bible, which gives us a view of our exciting future, catching a glimpse in each lesson of our glorified Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What an amazing adventure we begin as we step into our study of the Book of Revelation, which promises a blessing to all who enter in We will be looking into things which were previously shut up but are now opening up to our understanding as the day draws near. We will have the opportunity, as we go through this exciting book, to consider the events of our own day, which are setting the stage for the prophecy of Revelation to unfold. Get a good seat, have your Bible and notebook ready, and let the adventures begin

How important is this letter to us today? As important as it ever was Who hasn't struggled with the notion that they must work for their salvation? How many churches in our day put forth a message that you must do "certain things" in order to know that you are truly saved? Whether you are encouraged by a church, by your own weakness, or by the devil himself to work for your salvation, it is time that you know it is a lie and not the true gospel message. Martin Luther was a troubled and tormented soul who never thought he could do enough to please God. But he found rest for his soul from the teachings of this letter-and you can too

Who doesn't enjoy a good love story? We all do, don't we? Well in the Book of Ruth we have several love stories in one. We have the love of a daughter-in-law devoted to her mother-in-law, and that's a beautiful story. But then we have an even better love story-we have the story of a young and childless widow who finds herself loved, married, and ultimately fulfilled with a child, and that's a beautiful story, too. But then we have an even better story, because out of this love story we have a picture of the greatest love of all-the love of the heavenly Father for His children, you and me-a love so great that He provided us with a Kinsman-Redeemer in His Son, Jesus Christ.