Pathlight Studies

This week, I'd like for us to take a look at something that God spoke concerning the way in which His people could find forgiveness and healing. It is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14... " If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. "    Let us first notice that there are three distinct steps that we must take, and three specific actions that God will take in response. First, we must humble ourselves. Secondly, we must pray and seek God. Then, we must turn from our wickedness. In return, God will hear from heaven, He will forgive our sins, and He will heal our land. These are steps that are not only imperative for America, but for the whole of humanity, as the problem of sin is a worldwide epidemic.  In order for us to come to a full understanding of the scope and magnitude of this verse, as well as how it...

This week, I'd like for us to take a look at a very interesting event that occurred in the early days of the church. Soon after the Day of Pentecost, as the church was in its formative state, the disciples who gathered together were all of the same mind, and many of them chose to sell their possessions in order to distribute among the believers as the apostles saw fit. It was at this time that a man named Ananias, along with his wife, Sapphira, made a fatal error in judgment. We'll read A cts 5:1-11, and then take a closer look at what occurred, and the reasoning behind it... " But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was...

This week, I'd like for us to take a look at the concept and meaning of sanctification. Admittedly, if I was asked to define sanctification before undertaking this study, I would not have been able to give a proper definition. Although I have heard the term all my life, and felt that I understood the concept, it really goes much deeper than I had imagined. Webster's dictionary defines the word "sanctify" as "to make sacred or holy, or to set apart, or make free from sin." These are all acceptable definitions, but considering the fact that sanctification is a biblical concept, I believe that we should allow the bible to define it for us. Therefore, we'll take a look at some instances of sanctification throughout the bible and delve into the deeper meaning of what it is to be sanctified. The first mention of sanctification in the bible is found in Exodus, chapter 13, verse 2, as God instructs Moses that he is to sanctify all of the firstborn of Israel, b...

This week, I'd like for us to take a look at a very interesting event which occurred immediately following the resurrection of Jesus. Two disciples of Jesus, one of whom was named Cleopas, the other unnamed, were traversing the road to a village called Emmaus, which was approximately seven and a half miles from Jerusalem. This event is recorded in Luke, chapter 24, verses 13-32... " And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not k...

This week, I'd like for us to take an in-depth look at one of the most popular chapters in the entire bible, one that many can recite from memory, the 23rd Psalm. As eloquently written as it is, there are many beautiful truths just below its surface, and our faith is strengthened as we search out the scriptures, and God reveals these things to us as we study His word. So, let us ponder the 23rd Psalm together... " The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in ...

We come to the conclusion of our "Sermon on the Mount" series this week as we take a look at Matthew Chapter 7, verses 13-29, and I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I'm so thankful for all the views of this series, and that I've been truly blessed and learned so much from this series of studies, and it is my prayer that is has been as helpful and enlightening for all of you as it has been for me, and so we pick it up at verse 13... " Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brin...

This week, we'll continue our study of the sermon on the mount with an in-depth look at Matthew, chapter 7, verses 1-12... " Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and ...