Category: What do you think?

The unchanging nature of God

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOUNTEER

For believers in Christ, no subject deserves more attention than understanding God. While science, literature and other good topics has value, nothing compares to learning about the nature and character of the Almighty. This topic stands above all others in importance.

1. Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – IRS Images, 2025

Thinking about God affects people in distinct ways. The subject is so vast that human minds cannot fully grasp it. This reality humbles us and reminds us of our limitations. We can master many subjects and feel satisfied with our knowledge, but when we approach understanding God, we quickly realize how little we truly know. While this subject humbles us, it also expands our thinking. Someone who regularly considers God’s nature develops a broader perspective than someone focused only on earthly matters. Nothing expands the mind like devoted, ongoing investigation of God himself.

One central aspect of God’s nature is that he never changes. Scripture tells us God remains constant and does not alter. This unchanging quality protects his people from destruction. God’s unchanging nature shows itself in multiple ways. His essence never changes. Everything in the physical world constantly changes, but God stays perpetually the same. He is pure spirit, not material substance, and therefore remains constant. No aging affects him. Even when Christ took on human flesh, the divine essence underwent no change.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

God’s characteristics also never change. His power remains as strong as when he created the universe. His wisdom stays complete. His justice and holiness persist unchanged. His truth stands firm. His love remains constant like solid rock, unmoved by human failures. When God first made his covenant with humanity, he knew his Son would have to die to fulfill it. He did not hesitate then, and his love remains just as strong now and will continue forever unchanged.

God’s plans likewise never change. Humans may start projects they cannot finish and must revise their approach. But God never lacks the power to complete what he starts. With unlimited resources and perfect wisdom, he needs no adjustments. God’s promises also remain unchanged. If even one promise could fail, Scripture would lose all value. But God has confirmed and sealed every promise.

Who benefits from God’s unchanging nature? Those chosen by God, who possess special rights as his children, who experience personal encounters with him, who endure trials, and who live by faith and prayer all benefit from his constancy. Everything around us may change. Friends may turn away. Circumstances may shift. Health may fail. But God does not change. The one reality that remains forever constant is God’s heart, and that heart is love.

Two Witnesses in the last days

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JEFF TURNER

The book of Revelation describes two witnesses who will appear during a period of great trouble on earth. Many people wonder if these witnesses are real individuals or simply symbols representing the church during difficult times.

When reading the Bible, it makes sense to understand the words as they are written unless there is clear reason to read them differently. The text in Revelation chapter 11 describes two specific witnesses who will preach God’s message to people everywhere. These appear to be actual men, not symbols or metaphors.

The two witnesses of Revelation. IRS Images, 2025.

The account explains that these witnesses will be killed in a public place where everyone can see their bodies. Modern technology like television would allow people around the world to watch these events unfold. After they lie dead in the street for some time, they will come back to life. This shocking event will cause many people in Jerusalem to turn to God and accept His message.

The reaction to their resurrection marks an important moment. It leads to a widespread spiritual awakening among Jewish people, which matches promises found elsewhere in scripture about their return to faith.

These two witnesses will demonstrate God’s power through miracles during a time when most of the world rejects His truth. The world will hate their message and ultimately kill them for speaking it. But their death will not be the end of their story. Their return to life will prove the truth of what they proclaimed and bring many to belief.

Could this be what starts the great salvation among Jewish people that is promised for that time?

And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.

Revelation 11:3

Coming back to life so we may help others

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BOB RICHMOND

Revival means coming back to life, returning to health and vigor. It shows that believers have fallen into spiritual sleep and need restoration. Revival must be renewed repeatedly because humans are prone to sin and wandering. I personally don’t think there has never been spiritual revival that did not begin with a sharp sense of sin. Perhaps that’s because people get to the point they humble themselves and seek faith as a gift from God, not of their own works.

Ephesians 5:14 For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.” – IRS Images, 2025

In Romans, the word sin appears 48 times, and 46 of those times it functions as a noun. Sin is anything that displeases God, but it also exists as an entity, almost like a person. To live a holy life and draw close to God, believers must defeat the person of sin by getting close to God Himself. A choice must be made about whom you will serve.

God’s promise is clear: if His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. There must be intense longing for God. History shows that when revival comes, remarkable things happen.

Our focus must be on the person in the mirror, the one God has already shown where sin exists and where focus is lacking. Revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again. There is a real need that must be felt.

When Elisha was surrounded by enemies and terrified, Elijah remained calm and prayed for God to let him see. Suddenly they were surrounded by a great army of angels who won the battle. If believers could see, if God would allow the heavens to be torn open in their hearts so they could glimpse Jesus Christ, they would instantly melt before Him. They would know they could trust Him, and the things they hold onto would melt away in the presence of God. If God would tear open the heavens and let people see just a glimpse of His holiness, power, and grace, all the things they hang onto that keep them from experiencing everything God offers would simply melt away.

God works through His people. Jesus lives in believers and the Holy Spirit lives in them. Believers are commanded to go and teach all nations. Until there is earnest desire for others to come to Jesus Christ, revival has not come. Believers must never forget there are multitudes all around without Christ. God has called believers to share the gospel.

How can we expect a revival in the church without a revival inside us first when we ARE the church?

Will You not revive us again,
So that Your people may rejoice in You?

Psalm 85:6


Growing Together in Grace and Freedom

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NELSON NOLAND

The Christian life requires believers to understand the difference between essential biblical truths and personal opinions on matters where Scripture remains silent. This distinction becomes crucial when building a community that genuinely cares for one another while maintaining doctrinal integrity.

The church isn’t the building. It’s the people. IRS Images, 2025.

Churches and individual believers often categorize their beliefs into three levels. First comes dogma, the non-negotiable truths worth defending at any cost. Second comes doctrine, the teachings that define a particular congregation’s identity and distinguish it from other churches. Third comes opinions, the personal convictions on matters where the Bible does not provide explicit direction.

A lot of things fall into this third category such as questions about education choices, holiday celebrations, entertainment and much more. There isn’t a biblical mandate on these. Believers may develop strong personal convictions about these and those convictions are often formed by the society each believer lives in. But these convictions should not become tests of fellowship or weapons against other believers.

The early church faced similar challenges. Some believers felt bound by dietary restrictions and special days from their Jewish heritage. Others recognized their freedom from these requirements through Christ. Some converts from pagan backgrounds struggled with eating meat that had been offered to idols, even though they intellectually understood that false gods held no real power. Their past experiences created genuine internal conflict that required time and grace to resolve.

Scripture establishes several principles for navigating these tensions. This includes grace, accountability to one another, understanding that Christ alone serves as Lord over each person’s conscience. These principles converge into one: love. Love demands that believers prioritize others above our personal freedoms. A mature believer might have every right to engage in certain activities, yet wisdom demands restraint when those activities might harm someone else’s spiritual growth.

The kingdom of God does not consist of minor rules about eating, drinking, or other disputable matters. Instead, shouldn’t it center on righteousness, peace, and joy through the Holy Spirit?

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Romans 14:19

Satan’s limited power over the spiritual world

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JEFF TURNER

Satan is the prince of the power of the air; not the physical world. IRS Images, 2025

When the apostle Paul wrote about Satan being “the prince of the power of the air,” wasn’t he describing something specific about where the devil operates? If not, why does he use this phrase? Doesn’t this tell us that Satan rules over a spiritual realm, not the physical world we can see and touch. The word “air” here seems to refer to the invisible, immaterial world where spiritual forces exist and move. What else could it mean?

When Paul mentions that Satan works “in the sons of disobedience,” he’s explaining that the devil’s efforts toward evil and deception happen primarily among people who don’t believe in God. This doesn’t mean Satan personally visits or possesses every unbeliever. Instead, his influence spreads through other means. He works through demons who serve him and through false religious systems that lead people away from truth. The Bible tells us that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, making his deceptions appear good and appealing.

Every form of wickedness in the world carries Satan’s influence in some way. When that wickedness affects people who haven’t been redeemed by God’s grace, we can say Satan is at work in them. This is the sphere of operation that God has permitted Satan to have, but only for a limited time.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7