As He often did Jesus uses an agricultural setting to teach about the kingdom of God; in Luke 13:6-9 He tells the story of a man that had a vineyard and planted a fig tree in it, expecting it to produce fruit; however after returning to it season after season and finding no fruit he […]
In Psalm 86:8 David, recalling before God that while there may be many gods in this world, “there is none like You, O Lord” Adonay, (we say Adoni) which is Lord or my Lord, and is used as a proper name of God only. Strong’s dictionary tells us this is an emphatic form of another […]
The book of the Prophet Ezekiel concludes with a vision of a new Temple and the layout of God’s chosen land, 48:35. While all the earth is His by reason of creation as Psalm 24:1 confirms “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein…” He has chosen […]
As we look at 2 Samuel 22:33 we find David praising God for deliverance and victory over enemies, and in his praise we are introduced to God as Elohei Mauzzi, our “strength and power”. Literally this means a fortified place, and figuratively a defense. In Psalm 18:2 he declared “The Lord is my rock and […]
Prior to His crucifixion Jesus had been teaching His disciples that He would be put to death, resurrected, and would return to the Father in heaven, and they had most likely heard His response to the Pharisees about the coming of the kingdom of God which presently it is not observable with ocular vision, but […]
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. […]
I believe that the Old Testament law lays out to us the standards by which to live that God created in us, but one act of disobedience broke the relationship with God allowing sin to dominate the earth and the entire human race, robbing us from our ability to live up to those standards! In […]
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, […]
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 […]