Posts from 2024 (Page 2)

There must have been such great excitement in the heart of the Jews as they heard the prophecies of Isaiah of the coming Messiah. They would not understand them all, but it must have been fascinating to think about the Messiah as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God and Everlasting Father. (We looked at these titles in the last three weeks.) And as war was all around them (with Assyria capturing the northern kingdom and then coming against the southern kingdom),…

One of the thoughts we find most comforting is summed up in that song which has the phrase, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” Each verse then talks about how He has “you and me brother” and “you and me sister” and “the little bitty babies” in His hands. The very concept that we are cradled in the hands of God brings peace to our soul. The phrase, “the hand of the Lord,” is found thirty-nine times in…

For the past two weeks, our world has been focused on the Olympics. The longest race in these contests, the marathon, is based both in name and distance of an event which occurred in 490 B.C. The New Testament world had such events, and it often mentions them in connection with the race in which every Christian participates. We must remember that our life is a race to receive a crown of glory. Far too many Christians see their lives…

The great Messianic prophet Isaiah gives us so many beautiful pictures of Jesus Christ. The prophet himself had to stand in wonder at the things which he wrote, not even fully understanding them himself (cf. 1 Pet. 1:10- 12). There were some days of despair and gloom in front of Judah, as not only was Assyria going to capture the northern kingdom, but they would test the southern kingdom, as well. But, beyond these dark days there was coming a…

Heaven! The very word itself brings a pleasant calm and joyful spirit when we hear it. Heaven! Where we get to be with the Lord Himself forever and ever! Where we get to rest from our earthly hardships! Where we get to be united with the redeemed of all time! Heaven! This life is the only “preparation opportunity” that we have for heaven! God has graciously shown us the way (and what a glorious way it is!), but once this…

Christian friends are an especially wonderful blessing. Having been redeemed by the blood of Christ and “joined together” in His one body (Eph. 2:16-22), our brothers and sisters in Christ should be our closest friends on this earth. Still, all friendships require work and diligent effort on our part to keep them strong and healthy. And, who would be a better teacher of the qualities, attitudes and conduct of a friend than Jesus Himself? Let’s consider this Friend. Jesus saw…

Too many people approach the Bible as some kind of book of do’s and don’ts. They go through the Bible, as it were, making a list of the things they can do and making a list of the things they cannot do. As they do this, they are often looking for the verses that specifically tell them that they can’t do something that they want to do. If this is your approach to the Bible, you have completely missed the…

It is remarkable to watch the growth of Peter. When this fisherman was first called to follow Jesus, he struggled. Jesus once said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Mark 8:33). You see this struggle as he denied, cursing and swearing that he did not even know Jesus. He serves as an example to keep serving Him and drawing near to Him. Think of how…

Similarities and differences. In any group of people, you will probably find similarities and differences. This is true in a third grade classroom, in a boardroom of executives, on a football field, in a grocery store, etc., etc. This was also true of groups of people that Jesus encountered. In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus met ten men. Now let’s consider their similarities and their differences. Similarities: all ten were men, all were lepers, all stood afar off, all asked Jesus for…

It happens a lot! In fact, it seems to be happening more and more. Young people grow up in a Christian home, with godly parents who teach them God’s Word and regularly take them to Bible class and worship. But then, when the young people graduate and get out on their own, what they once believed themselves (and even taught, in some cases) is abandoned for something more palatable or popular. Some will say under their breath or some may…

It is not true that all who claim to be working for the Lord are godly. Because the Holy Spirit guided the apostles and prophets, we have the totality of the very spiritual truth in the Bible (John 16:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is the measuring rod to be used to identify false teachers. The Bible warns against the presence of false teachers, those who do not preach exactly what He revealed (Matt. 7:15, 21-23). When the church began, one…

It seems that we are living in a time when there is a constant sense of conflict and hostility from one person toward another. Have you noticed that we seem to have trouble speaking to one another, speaking about one another or doing anything in regard to each other with any semblance of peace, humility, courtesy or common decency? What has happened to our hearts (regardless of what people have done to us) to make us treat others with such…