In Genesis 2:9 we are introduced to two trees “The tree of life” representing the life of the Spirit, and “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” representing the life of the flesh with its “passions and lusts” Galatians 5:24. Adam, the man God “made… upright” Ecclesiastes 7:29, obviously refused to eat from […]
Peter, that famous Apostle, the one whose confession of faith is the bedrock and pillar of the Church as seen in Matthew 16:16-19, later wrote to the Church in his first epistle 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises […]
Jesus warned His followers that as they faced a hostile world they would also face persecutions, imprisonments, and be brought before rulers for His Names sake, (see Luke 21:12). He had already told them in Matthew 5:11-12 that under such circumstances they should “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad.” In Acts 16 Paul and Silas find […]
In our last meditation we noted that Jesus does not forsake us in our moment of weakness even if we stumble; rather He intercedes for us before the Father as in Romans 8:34. Today we turn our attention to John 17 where we find Jesus praying for His followers, including us as verse 20 makes […]
Peter loved the Lord very dearly, yet in a moment of weakness he stumbled. Jesus in that wonderful foreknowledge of God knew this would happen and warned Peter in advance, adding, “I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail” Luke 22:31-32. What a wonderful thought that if we stumble in a moment […]
In Romans 8:26-28 the Apostle teaches us about the Holy Spirit helping us in our weaknesses. The Greek word here is Parakletos meaning someone who is an intercessor, comforter, helper, advocate, and/or a counselor. Outside of the Biblical setting it is technically an attorney who goes to court on behalf of another. Jesus uses the […]
It is God’s will for His children to be filled with His joy! Jesus Himself though being “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (literally pains and sickness – took upon Himself everything sin had bequeathed on us) Isaiah 53:3, was anointed “With the oil of gladness” even above His fellowmen, Hebrews 1:9. The […]
Lifting five words from Ephesians 4:15, “speaking the truth in love.” What we speak and how we speak it have a tremendous impact on those to whom we speak. Our words according to the apostle should have two elements, truth and love. First we must establish what truth is; in general it is anything that […]
In Psalm 16:11 having just spoken prophetically of Messiahs resurrection (attested to by Peter in Acts 2:29-32) David declares “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” In spite of being “A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (while in […]
We are invited to “come, behold the works of the Lord” in Psalm 46:8-9. As we do so we note that He does many “great things” Psalm 126:3. Today we will focus on two aspects of His works. The first thing we see in Psalm 46:8 is that He makes “desolations” (Hebrew ruin or consternation) […]