This week has been a convicting one. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have … Continue reading
ESV scripture Re-written in my words 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. You must no longer be futile in your mind like you were towards God, like the gentiles are now. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life … Continue reading
Ephesians 3 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— Because of this, Paul, in prison for you 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, You have heard of my work, through God’s grace, for you 3 how the mystery was made … Continue reading
Ephesians 2 English Standard Version (ESV) By Grace Through Faith 2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of … Continue reading
The 3 books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, which cover about 100 years (538 -432B.C.), form the closing section of Old Testament history. They tell the story of the Jew’s return from Babylon, of the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem, and of the reestablishment of the Jewish national life in their homeland. The last … Continue reading
As we come to the close of Hebrews I wanted to do a recap of the entire book to give us a better understanding of these final words. We have learned that Jesus is superior to the angels and the prophets – God announced his superiority. Because of his superiority we need to pay attention … Continue reading
Hebrews chapter 11 has been labeled by some theologians as ‘the Great Hall of Faith’. Truly it is a reminder of so many great and wonderful things that the Lord has done in and through people in the past, and why today we can be positive in our confession. The last verse from chapter 10 … Continue reading
To this point in Hebrews we have seen that the sacrificial system of the Law was meant to point the worshipers in the direction of Christ. It was instituted to create an awareness that sins were something that had to be dealt with because God is holy and just. We’ve seen that Christ is our … Continue reading
Chapter 8 showed us that Jesus is our high priest. Now we move into understanding the sanctuary that He entered as priest, and the difference between the old covenant and new covenant priesthoods. Verses 1-5 give us a brief description of the tabernacle as erected by Moses, in which Aaron was the first priest. The … Continue reading
Chapter 6 spoke about the surety of God’s promise He gave about Christ; “you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek”. God swore on oath to it by 2 unchangeable things: Himself, and His Name. Now the writer helps us understand a bit more about this man Melchizedek who resembles Christ. For this Melchizedek, … Continue reading
Last week we learned about the difference between physical rest, as well as the different types of God’s rest which are: past, present, and future. We were encouraged to be on the look-out for our fellow believers who don’t seem to have entered God’s rest, and we learned that it is possible to be assured … Continue reading
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have … Continue reading
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more … Continue reading
A couple weeks ago I did some research through the scripture to understand what Heaven will be like. What I found was encouraging and has helped me to understand some other passages of scripture that I had previously read, but that now stand out, as I have been reading through the books of Corinthians. This … Continue reading
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who … Continue reading
Prior to leaving for Israel, our group had several meetings to prepare us for the terrain and overall lay of the land that we were about to explore. One thing that was left off our agenda was a list of exactly where we would go. We knew the area – we would be in Israel … Continue reading
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able … Continue reading
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they … Continue reading
“I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 … Continue reading
John’s Baptism & Good News Matthew 3 Mark 1 Luke 3 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing … Continue reading
