Blog - Page 4 of 9 - Bokim Ministries

Posted on October 17, 2020October 17, 2020 by Michael Reilley

Degrees of Separation

I see it all the time. People tell me they are doing Bible study, but what they are actually doing is watching videos and reading books about the Bible. This, of course, is not Bible study. And it’s terrible for one’s growth and maturity.

The more we separate from God and His word, the more we pick up false doctrines and beliefs. The more we pick up false doctrines and beliefs, the more they become ingrained in our thinking. The more ingrained these bad doctrines and beliefs become in our thinking, the harder it is to break free from them. Taken to its fullest extent, we become not followers of God but followers of a favorite preacher, theologian, or author. It’s their word and will that we meditate on and obey…not God’s. Continue reading Degrees of Separation

Posted on July 18, 2020July 18, 2020 by Michael Reilley

Being Comfortably Numb

Comfortably numb can be defined as being at ease or secure while in a state of apathy or unfeeling. If we apply the idea spiritually, we can say it describes one who accepts being in a state of indifference towards God, the word of God, or the requirements of God. The phrase could describe someone who embraces lukewarmness as an acceptable or desirable state of being.

Question: How can we be comfortable in a state of apathy and disobedience towards God? How could we be content to remain in such a state? Continue reading Being Comfortably Numb

Posted on July 4, 2020July 4, 2020 by Michael Reilley

The Great Omission

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16 – 20)

Before he ascended to Heaven, Jesus gave his disciples a command to go into the world and make disciples. This passage (commonly known as “The Great Commission”) is the primary text cited for modern evangelism; however, modern evangelism really misses the mark. What exactly is the Great Commission, and what is it not? What’s wrong with the modern approach to evangelism, and how do we fix it? Continue reading The Great Omission

Posted on May 7, 2020May 7, 2020 by Michael Reilley

The End of Forever

Question: When was the end of forever?

Throughout the Torah (commonly known as “The Law”), God clearly and repeatedly declares His commandments are eternal, forever, perpetual, or to be observed throughout our generations for all time.

But…

Popular doctrine and tradition teaches that Jesus put an end to The Law, and those “Old Testament” commandments don’t apply today.

This creates a logical dilemma:

If God said His commandments are forever, how could they have come to an end?

If God’s commandments came to an end, how could He have said they are forever? Continue reading The End of Forever

Posted on April 4, 2020April 4, 2020 by Michael Reilley

Why We Observe Passover

It’s not the “Jewish Passover”. The Bible calls it The LORD’s Passover. God created the holiday to be observed by both the native and alien, so long as we believe Him and walk in His ways.

And when your children say to you, “What do you mean by this service?” you shall say, “It is the sacrifice of YHWH’s Passover, for He passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped. (Exodus 12:26-27)

The immediate, obvious, purpose of Passover is to remember God’s deliverance of His people from slavery and genocide in Egypt. During the Passover observance, we meditate on such concepts as: How did our forefathers become enslaved in a land of darkness? How did they turn back to God and call on His name? How did God remember His promises and respond to His people?

Remembering what God has done for His people in the past is an important part of revering Him and maintaining our relationship.

Applying the lessons of the past prepares us for when history repeats. Continue reading Why We Observe Passover