In Deuteronomy 30:15, 19 God spells out a choice that He has always given to mankind, saying, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” This is the same choice God gave to Adam at the beginning in Genesis 2:16-17, but […]
God’s children are likened to a flock of sheep throughout scripture, and the prophet Ezekiel speaks of them as such. In 34:26 he says, “… I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.” This passage is eschatological with fulfillment in three stages, beginning now with the “church […]
“How shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach […]
“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” -Psalm 95:2. Psalms has to do with singing, music, or words set to music; here it is associated with thanksgiving, and while true thanksgiving incorporates the use of words and music, this rhythm must spring out of adoration and […]
In Luke 6:38 Jesus said “Give and it shall be given unto you…” This is a very popular scripture that is often used to either encourage or entice financial giving with the expectancy of a financial return. Financial giving and receiving is certainly in the overall tenor of scripture, however this verse does not come […]
Once again in John 15:5 we see that abiding in Jesus is a fruit bearing position, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.” A friend of mine one time said “As long as you are green you are growing; when you stop growing you are dead.” In verse 6 Jesus […]
In addition to being the only begotten Son of God and the Friend and Redeemer of sinners, Jesus was the greatest teacher to ever walk planet earth. He drew many illustrations from nature teaching spiritual lessons from where the people lived. In John 15:5 He used the grape vine; there are many branches to produce […]
“The kingdom of God is at hand” Mark 1:15 (Matthew is the only gospel that uses the alternate “kingdom of heaven”). The reason the kingdom was near or at hand was because the King was near or at hand. Luke 17:21 says “The kingdom of God is within you”, this occurs when the King comes […]