Have you ever noticed how many “natural” things have so much symbolization of the spiritual, and how God uses these things familiar to our understanding to teach us the realities of their spiritual counterpart? One such picture is found in Ephesians 6, beginning at verse 11, using the armor and battle attire of a first […]
Faith is unquestionable belief; from a Biblical standpoint it is unquestionable belief in God; it is complete trust and confidence. It is persuasion or credence in the truthfulness, will, and power of God to bring about that which is not perceived by the senses. This faith is a gift from God who “has dealt to […]
The whole idea of Jesus teaching in Matthew 10:37-39 is that He must be number one in our lives. In the previous verses He is not attacking family relationships. He is pointing out that there would be spiritual friction when certain family members choose to follow Him and others do not; those that have chosen […]
Lamentations, though not identifying the writer, is widely attributed to Jeremiah. The people of God had declined morally in spite of prophetic warnings as recorded in both 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles; this decline led to their being defeated and carried into captivity. On behalf of the nation the prophet sees himself in their seemingly […]
The influence of a father can have life-long and eternal ramifications upon their children. In Ephesians 6:4 after instructing children in the honor and respect for parents the Apostle instructs, “And you. Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Instruct and correct […]
The inspiration for today’s thoughts comes from Isaiah 26:7-9, “…the desire of our soul is for Your name…With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early…” God has created each of us with three distinct parts, spirit, soul, and body. It is the […]
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 […]
“I exhort (admonish, urge) first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” 1 Timothy 2:1. Why is prayer needful, doesn’t God already know the needs, and can’t He move to address them sovereignly? First of all, prayer is a part of our relationship with God, through which […]
“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies…Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her…a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” Proverbs 31:10, 28, 30. The power and influence of a woman’s earnest prayer, virtuous example, and sound instruction holds […]
In 1 John 2:25, 28 God has made a promise, this could be translated as “an announcement with the special sense of promise”. This promise is to all those who receive Jesus as both Savior and Lord, and it is the promise of eternal life. Verse 28 gives us three words that guarantee who will […]