Verse 3 of Ephesians 1 begins with the word “Blessed”; this Greek word means “adorable”. The Apostle here exalts in God, and shows us that He is to be worshipped, praised, adored, and revered for giving the Lord Jesus Christ through whose blood we have been redeemed, (verse 7). Then he says that God has […]
In Luke 11:5-8 Jesus uses the story of someone who had an apparently unexpected guest to arrive in the night; not having food in the house to set before the hungry traveler, he went to a friend’s house to ask for three loaves (some food), but this friend was not overanxious about being disturbed at […]
Jesus said “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you” Matthew 7:7. To me that sounds like persistence which He also teaches in Luke 18:2-8; no, this is not trying to “twist” God’s arm or to manipulate Him, but by persistently pursuing […]
Paul was not a Pastor; he was an Apostle (a delegate, ambassador, or commissioner) of Jesus Christ, an office he refers to many times as he writes his epistles. He visited many cities either starting, or strengthening and edifying churches. As he moved on to other cities, the love and concern for the people he […]
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 […]
The book of Esther is the story of a beautiful Jewish girl that was “adopted” by her cousin Mordecai after the death of her parents. At this time they, along with numerous other Jewish people, were living in the Persian capitol of Shushan. In due time Esther is chosen to become Queen of Persia, exalted […]
The Psalmists cry to the Lord in 85:6 is “Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?” To revive is to come back to life or consciousness; to come back to health and vigor; and to flourish again. All pointing to something in the past that has died or gone […]
Prayer, one of the most important elements of a believer’s life, is both enjoined and exemplified in the Bible. One of the great examples is found in Job 42:10; Job was upright and turned away from evil, neither did he sin or charge God with wrong in spite of all his adverse circumstances (see 1:8, […]