Hebrews 1:4 says that Jesus, who because of His position and work, has “become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they”, and the rest of the chapter contrasts Him with them. God’s angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister” to His people, verse […]
“Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach” Hebrews 13:13. Therefore connects us with what has been said previously, verse 12 calling our attention to Leviticus 16 where in verse 27 we learn that the bodies of the sin offering whose blood was used in making atonement in the holy […]
Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We are invited to come into the very presence of God like a child approaching their parent with outspokenness, unreserved utterance, frankness, candor, and cheerful courage, totally expressing […]
Ephesians 1:11 says “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance…” this is a beneficiary, often called an heir, although technically in America the conditions under which a beneficiary and an heir receive the inheritance may differ, the benefits are the same; in either case it is receiving assets from a predecessor. We are promised […]
“In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood…” Ephesians 1:7. Redemption requires that there be a redeemer – one that pays the price demanded to obtain the release of that which has been held in captivity or danger. The picture and pattern of redemption is clearly laid out in the Old Testament; it could […]
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 […]
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…” verse 4. Picture a large table, perhaps at a family reunion, you find the place with your name and take your seat. The food is on the table in abundance, it is passed around family style and you dine on the bounty with […]
“He restores my soul” verse 3; when a sheep would fall sick, break a leg, or face some other calamity, the shepherd would be there to treat, dress the wound, and nurture that sheep back to health. God our “good shepherd” is the greatest restorer ever! From the moment our relationship with Him was broken […]
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures” Psalm 23:4. This speaks to us of rest; the shepherd had led the flock to tender green pastures where they had eaten to full satisfaction and now lay resting, chewing their cud. Having been born and raised a country boy I do not recall ever looking […]
(Part one, Relationship) from a Facebook post we want to look at seventeen statements that are made in Psalm 23. The first being “The LORD is my shepherd”, which I see as key to the rest of the Psalm. Who better than David would know how to compare the sheep/shepherd relationship and make the comparison […]