Basically Biblical Archives

Mar 15

8

Santa Claus

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Preaching that says, “God wants to give us all we want,” gives me great sorrow. Why? Unless we have truly surrendered all our wants and want nothing other than whatever...

Feb 01

8

Good Works

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Many Christians expect to be in Heaven because they are “basically good,” as if they are not doing so many bad things that they would be destined for Hell. Assuming...

Jan 15

8

Prison Bars

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

When Jesus came to set captives free, he came for you and me, not just the people who were staring out through prison bars. Does a prisoner always know what...

Nov 01

8

Broken Promises

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Does God always keep his promises? If he does, people might have reason to fear. God’s blessings have conditions. These days, I seldom hear a preacher talk about God’s promises...

Jul 15

8

Legal Immigrant

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Many jokes have been written about what is required to pass the pearly gates and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If there really is a condition for admission, and I...

Jun 01

8

Connect the Dots

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

As a child, I was given blank pages with a scattering of numbered dots. I drew a line from one dot to the next until I could see the mystery...

Dec 20

8

Prayer Believing

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Some think prayer doesn’t matter, because God will do what he wants, anyway. Others pray and nothing happens, so they assume either God doesn’t care or he isn’t listening. What...

Nov 22

6

Murphy’s Law

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Whatever can go wrong will go wrong. Is that true? Wouldn’t it be nice if everything that went wrong would actually wind up right? Joseph couldn’t conceal his brothers’ evil...

Nov 22

7

Just Ask

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

What if a Christian doctrine was based on a misinterpretation of just one verse? Out of over 23,000 verses, that’s not even half of 1 percent. That just couldn’t be...

Sep 13

6

Temptation’s True Test

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

The typical recited line from The Lord’s Prayer is “lead us not into temptation.” Is God a controlling force in whether people are tempted to do evil? The difference between...

Aug 30

6

Automatic Door

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Did Jesus say all I had to do was knock and the door would open? Supposedly, all we have to do is ask. I’d like to quote James 4:2, which...

Aug 23

6

Child of Stature

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Story books picture David as a child when he faced Goliath. Is that fable or fact? David was the youngest of eight sons. He was too insignificant to be considered...

Aug 16

5

A Fishy Story

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Based on scientific fact, the biblical story of Jonah reads like a fairy tale. Could it possibly be true? To be thrown into the sea, Jonah had to beat the...

Jun 28

6

Spiritual Warfare

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

I sometimes hear people talk about Satan as the “prince and power of the air,” having dominion on Earth. Supposedly, he’s present everywhere and not only knows our thoughts but...

May 24

6

Boldness to Approach God

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Our High Priest is easily touched with the feeling of our infirmities, because he was tested in every area just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, we can boldly...

Apr 12

6

Not My Will
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 10 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

He went about a stone's throw away, knelt, and prayed. “My Father, if you are willing, let me escape this suffering. Nevertheless, I want your will, not mine.” — Luke...

Apr 05

6

Never Alone
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 9 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

I will always be with you, even until the end of the world. — Matthew 28:20 All the rungs of a ladder are important if you want to get to...

Mar 29

6

Endure to the End
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 8 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

“Because evil will flourish, most people's love will grow cold. But those who remain faithful until the end will be saved.” — Matthew 24:12–13 Most Christians see a few Scripture...

Mar 22

6

Sin No More
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 7 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

“Woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?” “No one, sir.” “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” — John 8:10–11 If...

Mar 15

6

Store Treasure in Heaven
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 6 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

“Do not store up treasure for yourselves on Earth, where moths and rust can eat it up and thieves break in and steal. Instead, store your treasure in Heaven, where...

Mar 08

6

Forgive Others
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 5 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

“If you forgive others for the wrongs they have done, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you.” — Matthew...

Mar 01

6

Confess Christ before Men
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 4 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

“If anyone publicly acknowledges me before men, I will publicly acknowledge him before my Father in Heaven. But anyone who denies me before men I will deny before my Father...

Feb 22

6

Come, Follow Me
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 3 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” — Matthew 4:19 Right after John the Baptizer identified the Messiah, Simon Peter met Jesus for the...

Feb 15

7

Love Your Neighbor
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 2 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

“But the second commandment is equally important. Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:39 Everything Jesus said is important, but which words are most important? Based on his story...

Feb 08

6

Love God with All Your Heart
Jesus’ Most Important Words (Part 1 of 10)

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

You must love God with your whole heart, with all your being and all your strength. — Matthew 22:37 As I consider some of Jesus’ more popular and not-so-popular sayings,...

Oct 12

7

Verse 3:16

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Have you ever watched a football game and seen someone hold up a sign in the end zone that said: JOHN 3:16?

Sep 07

6

Why Did Paul Write to the Romans?

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Since Paul said he didn’t build on another person’s foundation (Romans 15:20), we might think he would leave Rome to others. Something must have made that area an important exception to the rule.

Aug 24

6

What Proves God’s Existence?

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

We can believe whatever we want. It doesn’t have to be true. To believe a lie, all we have to do is reject all evidence that conflicts with what we want to believe.

Aug 17

6

Did Creation Take Only Six Days?

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

What we do know for sure is that he took whatever amount of time was needed for each stage of creation to perfectly suit his purpose, since each “day” was judged to be “good.”

Jun 08

6

The Kingdom of God
— Part 2 of 2

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

In the Kingdom of God, we have battles, but they are not fought with guns, tanks, and bombs. Warfare calls for a different kind of sword.

Jun 01

5

The Kingdom of God
— Part 1 of 2

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical | No Comments

We need the Holy Spirit to help us see what we can’t perceive with our natural eyes. Kingdoms aren’t all the same.

May 18

6

Unbearable Truth

By Frank Ball | Basically Biblical

Prior to his death, Jesus said, “There are many things I’d like to tell you, but you can’t handle it right now.” What new things might he have told them after the resurrection?

Apr 06

5