• Be Ready
    I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.1 Reality check! There will be a day […]

OTHER RECENT POSTS

  • Take One Step at a Time
    Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.1 God was faithful to David; he kept his covenant with him—known as the Davidic Covenant2, a promise from God to establish a descendant of David as the king of Israel. When your days are fulfilled and …
  • You Will Know the Truth
    For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.1 Paul emphasizes the importance of knowing the truth. He echoes the Shema2—“Hear, O Israel: The …
  • The Word Not the World
    For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation, to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall …
  • Tell the Next Generation
    Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide …
  • Proclaiming Christ Crucified
    For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.1 Paul wrote this verse—the same Paul who was previously persecuting the church.2 He was so filled with anger and hate until he had an encounter with Jesus.3 Previously, Paul exhibited zeal in his pursuit to eradicate …
  • Your Word Is Truth
    All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.1 Scripture is the sacred writings of Christianity contained in the Bible,2 which consists of the Old Testament …
  • Jesus Is Lord and Savior
    Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.1 The whole Christian faith revolves around Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus is both fully …
  • God Is Spirit
    But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.1 The Samaritan woman mentioned that …
  • An Uncanny Way of Love
    For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generation.1 To love someone likeable is natural; but to love someone undeserving is unthinkable. This uncanny way of love is what God reserved for you and me. He proved it by sending his only Beloved …
  • Living to Please God
    “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book to …
  • God Is Covenant Keeping
    He spread a cloud for covering, and fire to give light by night. They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river. For he remembered his holy promise, and …
  • The Supremacy of Jesus
    Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of …
  • Blessed Is He Who Trusts in the Lord
    Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.1 Our bodies need food and so does our soul. We need to surround ourselves with people who strengthen, encourage, and comfort us. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.2 Do not …
  • The Test
    The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur …
  • Worldly Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom
    When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from …
  • Responding to the Call
    The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.1We have three personalities: A shepherd boy; a son of a king; and a virgin. They were David, Manasseh, and Mary, respectively. Jesse and his sons were invited. …
  • I Know You by Name
    O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!1 You have set your glory above the heavens. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful …
  • A  Little Fire to a Roaring Flame
    I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.1 How can David make a preposterous claim? Is this bold claim merely positive thinking or is it reality? By what means do I, likewise, confidently …
  • From Faith to Faith; Glory to Glory
    No unbelief made [Abraham] waiver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.1 How do we grow in the faith? All growth is a process. There is a …
  • Call to Mind the LORD’s Steadfast Love
    But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”1 Victory …
  • A Small Still Voice
    First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified, in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the …
  • God Is Good
    Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!1 Over the weekend I had an insightful conversation. He said, “I realize that God is constant; we are the ones who aren’t. If we feel God is distant, it is we …
  • Make a Joyful Noise
    Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!1 As a nation we commemorate our Independence Day every Jun …
  • A Watch in the Night
    You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that …
  • God of Our Salvation
    Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, …
  • Remember
    Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake.1 The word remember is …
  • God My Savior
    For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.1Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of …
  • Faithful God
    And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; …
  • The Words of the Wise
    Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known …
  • Firmly Rooted
    An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.1 The Scriptures have stern warnings about our lack of knowledge.  Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses the way.2 . . . they have zeal for God, but not according …
  • A Tree of Life
    In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.1 We are free to choose which path to go; but there is only one path that leads to life. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way …
  • The Father Heart of God
    My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.1 It is not man’s bent to be subject to rules and regulations due to our sinful nature2; thus, our need for …
  • The Voice of the LORD
    The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. …
  • Leadership–Kingdom Thinking
    And [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed the twelve . . . so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.1 …
  • Our Trust Is in the Lord!
    Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.1 We can trust the LORD for he is all-powerful,2 holy,3 good,4 and trustworthy—God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has …
  • No Other . . . JESUS.
    O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.1 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful …
  • Jesus Our Lord
  • Jesus Our Redeemer
    For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall …
  • Jesus Our Savior
    Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. 1 All the people answered together and said, …
  • God’s Love
    Today marks Valentine’s Day, highly commercialized, and celebrated by lovers. Not that it is wrong to do so; but weightier is God’s love that we should be celebrating daily. This is my beloved Son; listen to him.1 Why should we listen to Jesus? Who is Jesus? What has he done …
  • Be on Your Guard!
    Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.1 The bible is God’s word. Throughout the OT prophesies were proclaimed about the coming Messiah; and Jesus was the fulfillment of those prophesies. I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks …
  • The Gospel the Power of God
    For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall …
  • God’s Wisdom
    The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.1 O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the …
  • God’s Work
    Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.1 Who is our helper? What is his name? He is no other than the creator of heaven and earth.2 When he sends forth his Spirit, they are created, and the face of the earth is renewed.3 …
  • God’s Will
    Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.1 We draw confidence from knowing that we are doing God’s will, since it comes with a …
  • God’s Word
    Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.1 How can the writer make such boast? Who is he? On what basis can he claim that every word of God proves true? By observation, what is stated in the Proverb is that …
  • God’s Way
  • Immanuel–The Christmas Message
    “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to …
  • Make Your Face Shine Upon Us
    May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us.1 Selah There were five compilations or books of Psalm in its original—(Book 1, Chapter 1-41; Book 2, 42-72; Book 3, 73-89; Book 4, 90-106; and Book 5, 107-150)2 Psalm 42-72 is a compilation …
  • Shelter of Your Wings
    Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! For you, O God, have heard my vows, you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.1 Immediately, the first sentence seems to be a contradiction—at least from my knowledge …