In Luke 15:8-10 Jesus uses the scenario of a woman that has lost a valuable silver coin. The message in this parable is exactly the same as that of the preceding one about the lost sheep, but using a different picture, the “or” in verse 8 clearly indicating this. Such coins were “often worn in […]
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 12:13-21 Jesus responding to one that wanted Him to settle a family feud over an inheritance, uses a parable showing the futility of covetousness for earthly treasure. The story is about a business man (in this case a farmer) whose business was prospering and his desire was to get bigger and bigger, to […]
Another parable of Jesus is recorded in Luke 14:16-24 where He tells the story of a host that was giving a great banquet; the custom was that the invitations would be sent out in advance and when the feast was ready a notice would be sent out. His friends had received the invitation, apparently accepted […]
In Exodus 17:8-15 Israel wins a great battle over their enemy, Amalek; their victory was not because they had superior military might, but it was by the hand of the Lord under whose banner they fought. We see this as we watch Moses hands, while raised to God (which could be seen as a posture […]
Another name we find attributed to God found in Genesis 16:13 is “El Roi” or “The God who sees”. Hagar probably felt all alone here in the wilderness, but God saw her and showed up as, “The Angel the Lord” (a term believed to often indicate an Old Testament appearance of Jesus) saying “Where have […]
“And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM” Exodus 3:14.” Present tense, right now and eternally: His existence is absolute, what He has done in the past He will do right now, and what He does right now He will do in the future! The names and titles by which He identifies Himself, […]
In Exodus 3:13-14 when God commissioned Moses, at the “burning bush”, to stand before Pharaoh, and to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage, Moses said, “when I…say to them The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, What is His name? what shall I say to them? […]
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, Matthew5:10-12. To be persecuted is to be afflicted so as to cause you injury, distress, and annoyance. Now if being reviled and persecuted come because you have done something stupid, or you have acted outside of wisdom, and without […]
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God” Matthew 5:8. Pure is one of the words that explain the Greek word Katharos that is used here; other words of definition for it are Clean, Undefiled, and Without blemish. It is essential that we understand this purity is of the heart. When the […]