We say that salvation is free, and so it is, for “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23. However there is a cost of following Jesus, or discipleship, of which He lays out the facts in Luke 14:25-33. First, to hate one’s life and family does not mean […]
In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus talks about the time when all nations will stand before Him to be judged using the illustration of a shepherd separating sheep and goats into separate flocks. Sheep and goats have very different demeanors; the message however that Jesus is driving across is not about sheep and goats, it is about […]
As we continue looking at the parables of Jesus I will again point out that while being taught using a different picture, the main take away from various ones is very similar. With the repetition of truth we see its importance, also with different settings perhaps more will understand, and to be sure it helps […]
Jesus parable of a dragnet being cast into the sea by fishermen in Matthew 13:47-50 alludes to the church, His followers, now “fishers of men” Mark 1:17, casting the gospel net into the sea of humanity, which is the mandate He bequeathed upon us in Mark 16:15. Like in the parable of the tares, and […]
In Matthew 25:14-30 is one of Jesus “the kingdom of heaven is like” parables. Here He tells the story of a wealthy householder with several servants; calling them, he put them in charge of his affairs while he himself went to a distant country, possibly to conduct some sort of business. They were not all […]
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 […]
Today we are introduced to Jehovah Tsidekenu in Jeremiah 23:6 where it is translated “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” He is the one that makes us both morally and legally right in life and before God, putting us in a position of equality with Jesus of whom this prophetic passage speaks. It is not so […]
In Genesis 22:14 we meet “I AM” as Jehovah Jireh, meaning The Lord provides, or my provider. In this incident Abraham, known as “the friend of God”, James 2:23, is offering his son Isaac in sacrifice which was a test of his faith and obedience; when he had proved these to God by his obedience, […]
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” Matthew 5:9. Being born into this world in sin we have the tendency to be at enmity with God and our fellow men! Webster defines a peacemaker as “one who makes peace, as by settling the quarrels of others.” God is “the God […]
“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 […]