Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God (1 Cor. 2:12).   Nobody can fully know the thoughts of another unless that person…

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God…

Matthew 5:21–26 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’  But I say to you…” (V21-22).   The greater context of this passage tells us that Jes…

Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”   The great prize Satan presents Jesus with is authority over all the kingd…

Heb 11:1, 7 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.   Many men and women spoken of in the Old Testament had nothing but promises of God to rest on. There was no visible evidence of these promise…

Matt. 4:2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.   Our Lord Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights before He was attacked with three diabolical temptations from Satan. The Bible does not reve…

“Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” Luke 8:18   In Jesus’ day, teaching in parables presented a great deal of per…

When we think of Hannah, we usually think about her dedicating her child to the services of God after being barren for many years. But little do we think of the obstacles she had to overcome before receiving God’s blessing.   The first…

I remember growing up I used to celebrate Easter every year. On Friday, we used to have hot cross buns and tea without milk at home. The significance of these items was as follows: Each bun was decorated with a cross made from flour paste,…

The word “awesome” is often used very loosely in our society. You hear people describe a beautiful bunch of flowers, a delicious meal, an exciting holiday, among others, as awesome. But little is understood of the word itself. Webster defin…

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from your law. Psalm 119: 18   The law contains wondrous or extraordinary things of the Lord. These are things which are fitted to excite wonder and amazement. They are deep, hidden, and sec…

“And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’” Genesis 22: 12   God’s intervention showed that He never intended…

Phil. 4:6-7   Anxiety is a lack of peace, experienced physically, spiritually or mentally. They usually stem from trials, which may be either real or imaginary. The carnal person deals with it alone or may reach out to human institutio…

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” James 1:2   A man came home one evening and told his family that his business partner stole the assets of the firm. Bankruptcy was inevitable. Instead of despairing, th…

1 Thess 2: 4-9   All of us love to hear what we want to hear about ourselves. We love those who speak well of us and we hate those who are critical of us.   Historically, flattering words have always gathered an audience. False pr…

A long time ago there was a song sung by reggae artist Bob Marley. It was called “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” It had a very catchy tune and a message that could almost convince you that by brushing your worries under a rug and wearing a smile ca…

Every year end people make resolutions for the new year. The challenge is whether they can keep them. Some, through a high level of discipline, may attain their goals, while others through a lack thereof, are unable to find the power to acc…

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6   When Jesus rode…

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:28   God created our first parents, male and female. He created them to be equal…

Rom. 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.   “Sufferings of this present time” is a general reference that includes everything that beli…

But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed (Luke 22:60).   As the trial of Jesus winds down, another one begins – the trial of Peter! His actions and responses…

It was years ago, on a cool and dark night, when my dad and I wrapped up a series of Bible studies. This was the moment that would make the biggest difference in my life. I had made the big decision. So we gathered the rest of the family, m…

Matt. 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.   Many of us living in the west may firmly state t…

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matt. 16:21-23)   Earlier in the chapter, Peter, through divine revelation, declare…

Matthew 16:5-12 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”   As Jesus continued His ministry, He began encountering greater opposition from the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were th…

You’ve heard it before, but “Knowledge is power.”  The writer of Proverbs knew this:  “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” (18:15)   Social media, just like technology, chan…

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4 Remember the phrase: “Nobody loves a loser”? It’s true, in worldly perspective. I think about T-shirts and…

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12 Proverbs like that one, though not in the Bible, have thei…

“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalms 82:4       We do not understand all the ways God helps the poor and needy. Our part in the way of helping is more easily understood.  …

“and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” Proverbs 6:20b My birth mother and father were both married, just not to each other. Had they been true to their spouses, I would not have been born. A woman and her husband who couldn’t have chi…

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39   Loving God (Mt. 22:37-38) is certainly understandable when you consider the great love and sacrifice that has been demonstrated toward us and, continues every…

This morning we will address the ‘lynch pin’ of our conviction, commitment towards God. In a word- Resurrection. Granted last week was Easter, but since so many articles, comments, and media declarations have been produced both before, and…

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation. I Peter 2:2 Children are truly God’s gift to us! It is so amazing to see how children develop from infants to toddlers. Toddlers will eventua…

Most people live for the world and its things (its money, relationships, possessions, prestige, etc). According to the Bible, such a person is ‘an enemy of God’ who lives in a state of ‘hostility with God’ (James 4:4). To be in this conditi…

Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORDshall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. I…

Proverbs 23:23 ‘I’m speaking my truth.’ ‘You need to find and live your truth.’ ‘What feels true to you?’   Such statements abound in our society, as if truth were as relative, subjective, and malleable as one’s view of sushi or one’s…

Today’s lesson will sort of focus on our ‘Jerichos’— no not a story about Zacchaeus (Luke 19). We will save that example for another occasion. Rather we will explore the ‘Jericho Walls’ (Joshua 5,6), which you & I constantly erect, rebu…

The Bible teaches equality between men and women and their roles in the church and the home are equally important. But in our society and even in the church, there are some who claim we must get rid of all role distinctions. It is an attitu…

Read Psalm 145:1-2   God is forever. His will endures forever. His glory lasts forever. His holiness is forever. His love, goodness and kindness are forever. His people are forever people. Forever and ever, we will be the objects of Hi…