Peter, in his first epistle, addresses people who because of their commitment to Christ are suffering various trials and rejection by their fellowmen, with such opposition that in 4:12 he refers to it as a “fiery trial”. Yet in spite of all this Peter takes note of, and thus encourages them to continue in their […]
A path is a place that is worn by footsteps, or a trail; it is a walkway for people on foot, a line of movement, and also a course of conduct or procedure. Psalm 16 11 says, speaking to God, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; […]
In Jeremiah 2:13 God portrays Himself as “The fountain of living waters”. The problem is that the people to whom He is speaking have “hewn out for themselves cisterns – broken cisterns that can hold no water.” People still do this today; I ask you, have you tried everything this world placed before you trying […]
Jesus warned His followers that as they faced a hostile world they would also face persecutions, imprisonments, and be brought before rulers for His Names sake, (see Luke 21:12). He had already told them in Matthew 5:11-12 that under such circumstances they should “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad.” In Acts 16 Paul and Silas find […]
It is God’s will for His children to be filled with His joy! Jesus Himself though being “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (literally pains and sickness – took upon Himself everything sin had bequeathed on us) Isaiah 53:3, was anointed “With the oil of gladness” even above His fellowmen, Hebrews 1:9. The […]
In Psalm 16:11 having just spoken prophetically of Messiahs resurrection (attested to by Peter in Acts 2:29-32) David declares “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” In spite of being “A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (while in […]
In Matthew 5:11-12 Jesus spoke of those who would be reviled, persecuted, and falsely defamed because of following Him. He said when this happens you are blessed, indicating that you are fortunate and well off! He then went on to say, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so […]
If we consider Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus, let us consider what His birth really means. We have a tendency to focus our attention on the humble surroundings of that magnificent occurrence, the heavenly annunciations of it, and the visitors that came in witness of it. His birth was not […]
As we approach the day we call Christmas we hear much said and sang about shepherds, angels, sheep, the manger; these however are not the real “Christmas” story, they are only props surrounding the real message of the occasion, the message delivered by the angel to the shepherds in Luke 2:11 was, “For there is […]
Singing is usually a sign or an overflow of what is in the heart. The “world” around us has many songs expressing sadness, brokenness, disappointments, and failed dreams; these are the lot of a “world” fallen into sin and apart from God. But those who have returned to Him through Jesus Christ are given a […]