by Jim Gustafson | Apr 28, 2026 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16) “it is the power of God” (1Corinthans 1:18). Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24). “And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might” (Ephesians 1:19). “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:9). 1 Corinthians 15:1-6: The Gospel: 1) “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2) by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3) “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…” First importance! The summing up of God’s purpose: the redemption of His own, the culmination of the power and theme of the entire Bible—the Gospel, starting with Genesis! The forgiveness of all sins! The removal of the guilt, the penalty, and overpowers the power of sin! The power of the confidence we have via the prophecies of the Old Testament Scriptures: the foretold coming Gospel over 100 times! 2) “And that He was buried, and...
by Matt Ramey | Apr 20, 2026 | Articles, Mentors Corner
Biblical wisdom is more than intelligence or accumulated knowledge; it is the God-given ability to rightly apply truth in a way that honors Him. While general definitions describe wisdom as discernment, sound judgement, and skillful living, Scripture presents wisdom as being rooted in who God is and how we respond to Him. The Bible refers to wisdom hundreds of times, particularly in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word chokmah emphasizes skillful and practical living, while the New Testament word sophia highlights divine insight. Together, they reveal wisdom as both understanding and practice rather than abstract knowledge alone. Proverbs 1:7 states, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” True wisdom begins with humility, submission to God, and recognition of His sovereignty. Biblical wisdom is inseparable from obedience and stands in contrast to pride and self-reliance (see Colossians 1:9-10). Scripture distinguishes between man’s wisdom and God’s wisdom in James 3:13-17. Human wisdom is described as rooted in bitter jealousy and self-ambition. It is “earthly, natural, and demonic” and insufficient to truly know God. God’s wisdom, by contrast, is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering without hypocrisy.” In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, the Apostle Paul tells us that God’s foolishness is wiser than men; His ways are not ours. He also tells us that true wisdom finds its fullest expression in Jesus Christ, whom Scripture calls “the power and wisdom of God.” So, how do we become wise according to God’s standards? Biblical wisdom is obtained by asking God in faith, learning from Scripture, walking with wise people, and...
by Mitch Hershey | Apr 8, 2026 | Articles, Mentors Corner
It goes without saying that we are in a battle for our minds. A quick scroll through our phones or a short drive down the road evidences the fact that we live in a world that is fighting to gain the attention of our thoughts. Not only that, but so many things control or affect our thinking – our experience, our culture, where we live, how we were raised, what seems fair to us. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that “as a man thinks, so is he,” and so we know that our thinking has a lot to do with how we perceive the world and how we live our lives. How do we as believers resolve to use clear thinking to live with an eternal focus in a temporal world? Fortunately, the Bible has much to say about this topic. God has created us with minds that function beyond our comprehension. We have the ability to think quickly, think deeply, and process information in magnificent ways. And yet we don’t think the way that He does. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Not only do we not think like God does, but our thinking often leads to death, ruin, and destruction. Proverbs 14:12 tells us that “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” The root of the problem lies in our sin...
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