Now having laid aside those things that would impede our Christian race, Hebrews 12:1 continues, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”; this is constancy, it is keeping our eyes on the goal, it is not being distracted by surroundings or circumstances, it is standing our ground under the stress […]
Coming on the heels of the listing of the great heroes of faith Hebrews 12:1 says “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” not necessarily as spectators watching us from heaven, but more likely the witness of their lives having set for us the example of their overcoming […]
Galatians 6:7-9 brings us a clear message using an illustration from the field of agriculture. As in agriculture you plant and cultivate the crop you want to grow and harvest, so it is with our spiritual life; the message in these verses clearly warn us against living to gratify those inherently corrupted works of the […]
In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus “spoke a parable to them that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” In Luke’s account this is recorded on the heels of Jesus teaching about His return and the conditions on earth leading up to it, thus we can take encouragement to remain steadfast and not become disheartened […]
In Matthew 13:44-46 Jesus gives us two examples in parable illustrating the superior value of the kingdom of heaven. In verse 44 He likens “the kingdom of heaven (to) treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys […]
In Luke 16:16 Jesus said “…the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” In another statement found in 17:21 He said “…the kingdom of God is within you.” Today the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom established within those who believe on Jesus as their personal Redeemer and Savior. […]
Distress, a close relative of pain, anxiety, and grief, are among Satan’s “big guns” in his attack on Christians. It is on the opposite end of the spectrum from joy and gladness! Jesus wants His followers to be joyful, telling us, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, […]
In Psalm 4:1 David’s prayer was “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!” Did God answer his prayer? Oh yes He did. In Psalm 40:1 he said, “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry” (He bowed down listening to my prayer). Interestingly, the words […]
A neighbor can be viewed as someone that lives close to you, but also as a fellowman, as the Greek word used by a lawyer in Luke 10:29 “And who is my neighbor?” as well as Webster bears out. As Jesus tells the parable of “The good Samaritan” in verses 25-39 of this chapter, a […]
When the Psalmist speaks of the Lord preparing a table for us in psalm 23, I believe He is thinking of all the good things God has provided for us. The moment you accept Him as your shepherd He commits to caring for you like a shepherd cares for his sheep, and He begins a […]