Rather than loving Jesus so much that we hear his call and gladly do it, finding our contentment in Christ and pressing on for his glory because it is what we most want to do, we focus on ourselves, our felt needs and end up shying away from what Jesus asks because it doesn’t “meet... Continue Reading

Sometimes, people refuse the thing that will heal them because they fear the pain of treatment. Let us not be that way. Let us love the hand that strikes us for our good. And let us be willing to be that means of grace for others. Let us be willing to cause the pain that... Continue Reading

Other church gatherings beyond the main Sunday meeting are ready-made opportunities to live out the “one another” commands. Did you ever wonder if you are required to go to the Wednesday Bible study? It’s typically better to think not so much about what is expected, but what is beneficial. Yes, learning more Scripture at the Wednesday night meeting is a... Continue Reading

The disciples recognized again that this man from Nazareth, the son of Mary and Joseph, was also God. For everything else about which the disciples are confused, there is no doubt about the divinity of Jesus in the Gospels on the part of the disciples. The early disciples accepted as fact that Jesus is God.... Continue Reading

The heart of spiritual warfare has to do with seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness as opposed to seeking the kingdom of the world from which we have been delivered. That warfare takes place in our walk with Christ, and our work for Him. Paul explains: “For you were once darkness, but now... Continue Reading

How, then, shall I spend this short life, these few winged moments appointed to me? Surely, in nothing better than looking out and laying up for eternity! “This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever!” 1 John 2:17 “Those who use the things of... Continue Reading

Once we are free from the need to showcase our abilities, to climb the ecclesiastical ladder, and to gain power and influence, we are also free to enjoy Jesus and the privilege of serving him. Our fulfillment comes not from our position in our church or organization but from the high privilege of serving our... Continue Reading

Read large sections over a short period of time, reading sequentially through the accounts in as few sittings as possible. Read all of it before returning to the text to begin highlighting and writing notes. Try to put yourself in the crime scene. If you were the original investigator, what follow-up questions would you have... Continue Reading

Jesus is God’s final word in redemptive history (Heb. 1:2). He has fulfilled all Old Testament promises and expectations. We now await the consummation of his kingdom in the new creation. There’s no going back to the shadow of Canaan. Hebrews, instead, envisions God’s one pilgrim people on the verge of entering their final heavenly... Continue Reading

Jesus is urging, even commanding, us to find life in him, in the vine. For someone who doesn’t know Jesus, this is a sweet invitation to come to him. For those already in real relationship with him, here is the voice of Jesus reminding us what salvation and life are all about. Jesus’s sheep know (and... Continue Reading