Intimate Worship
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it […]
God’s Word Is Fulfilled
…so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 Isaiah reminds us that God’s Word will never return empty – it will always accomplish its purpose in fulfillment. God promised the […]
Receiving Divine Direction
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon, he had a vision… Acts 10:1-3 […]
Our Faithful Promises
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15 Believers are in covenant with God. When we receive […]
Brotherly Love
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10 Unconditional love, agape love, must be the basis for all that we do. Paul exhorts Christians in the 1st century church, and likewise today, to be […]
Recognizing Heresy
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. II Peter 2:2 The false teachings Peter addresses center on two errors: denial of the return of Christ in judgment (II Peter 3:3-10) and moral failure. (II Peter 2:2,10-22) Peter claims that their teachings were heretical, refuting the fundamental […]
Fear
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18 Fear, according to Webster, is a “strong emotion caused by anticipation of danger.” Fear produces anxiety and is a tactic the enemy […]
The River of Life
The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east… Ezekiel 47:1 Ezekiel the prophet was led by a man of God to the entrance of the temple. Ezekiel was among the Jews exiled to Babylon by […]
When Life Seems Overwhelming
No one can escape times of feeling overwhelmed. As Christians, we may think we should be immune to the stresses of life; that we should be able to handle the rough times with grace and fortitude. If you have ever believed that lie you know it can put you into a tailspin of thoughts. God […]
Priesthood of Believers
As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:4 You are being built […]