Sheep comprise a large part of the agricultural life and livelihood of the Near Eastern people, including the Hebrews, and are mentioned in the Bible more than 500 times. They are also a very fitting symbol of the people of God. David, the Psalmist, and king of Israel, had been a shepherd in his youth […]
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 Timothy 1:15. There was only one reason that Jesus came into the world and that was to deliver from the consequences of sin. He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” Luke 19:10. He stepped into the turmoil and chaos of the […]
Three things God desires for us, among many others, are that we experience the fullness of Love, Joy, and Peace. These are exactly what God sent Jesus into this world to bring to us. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son …” His coming was heralded […]
In Psalm 119:165 the Psalmist cries out, “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” He had found a place where there is an abundance of peace (Hebrew Shalom, to be safe, figuratively well, happy, to have friendship and, abstractly, welfare, i.e. to have health, prosperity, and peace). Are […]
The final name or title given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 is Prince of Peace, which, in Isaiah’s language, meant that as Prince He would be the head person, such as a chief or captain, of Shalom which includes safety (and figuratively) well, happy, friendly (and abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, and peace. As His […]
In Luke “the Lord said, Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.” Repetition of a name was considered an expression of love, and I suspect that it would also spark attention to the importance of the message that would follow. Jesus spoke directly to Simon, possibly because […]
In 1 Peter 1:3-7, Peter addresses Christians with praise to “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope…” Why is it a living hope? First, because it is established in a living person, “…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from […]
2 Corinthians 13:11 says we should become complete (in Christ), experience (His) comfort, be like-minded with other believers, and live in peace, and concludes with the promise that “the God of love and peace will be with you.” It was in John 14:23 that Jesus made the statement that those who love Him and keep […]
Once again we are reminded that we have a common enemy that is out to rob us of everything God intended and has planned for us, (John 10:10). Satan’s first hatred is against God Himself, originally trying to dethrone Him, according to Isaiah 14:12-15; failing in this, his next attack comes against God’s prime creation, […]
Once again we return to the night storm at sea in Mark 4:35-41, which symbolizes storms that we may face on the sea of life. The disciples, some of them former fishermen knew the natural tactics of how to handle a boat in a storm, but this storm was more than they could handle […]