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 […]
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 […]
Persecuted for Righteousness Sake
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, or theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:11 Jesus taught in the Beatitudes that you are blessed when persecuted for His sake. He goes on to say that you are blessed when people insult you and make evil accusations against you because of your […]
Ordinary Men
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 After Jesus had died and resurrected, Peter and John were questioned by the rulers, elders, and teachers of the day in […]
Removing the Scales
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 In Acts 8, Saul set out to destroy the Christians. He was highly educated, came from a prominent family, and described himself as “a Hebrew of Hebrews.” One day, God’s plan for his life intersected his self-prescribed plans. […]
Neglecting Salvation
We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by […]
Sword, Plough, Trumpet
From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, […]
Jehovah Rohi Cares for Us
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23 David grew up as a shepherd who understood the significant role the shepherd has in the lives of his sheep. He knew that […]