The writer of Hebrews admonishes his audience “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13). The emphatic challenge ofContinue reading “Exhort One Another”
Tag Archives: christianity
The Poor in Spirit
Both Matthew and Luke record what is popularly referred to as the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. His teaching on this occasion was for the benefit of his disciples, those who had committed to following him expressly. “And seeing the multitudes, he [Jesus] went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciplesContinue reading “The Poor in Spirit”
Admonitions for Those Who Are and Would Be Rich
The Apostle Paul closed his first letter to Timothy with an admonition for those among us who we might categorize as wealthy. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that theyContinue reading “Admonitions for Those Who Are and Would Be Rich”
I Will Have Mercy
When Levi (Matthew) began to follow Jesus, the Scriptures record that he “made him [Jesus] a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, why do ye eat and drink withContinue reading “I Will Have Mercy”
Pushed Along by Our Feelings or Led by the Spirit
We have all been in that place where our reactions to our circumstances got the better of us and we said or did things that we regretted later. The Scriptures remind us “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly” (Proverbs 14:29). To beContinue reading “Pushed Along by Our Feelings or Led by the Spirit”
The Custom of Jesus
Luke records that “when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him [Jesus] for a season. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all” (LukeContinue reading “The Custom of Jesus”
Is God There?
I’m sure that every child of God has experienced a time when they longed for that confirming presence of God and yet felt very alone. Does that mean that God was not there? Do we interpret the silence as meaning that he, perhaps, does not care? The Old Testament records the experience of a godlyContinue reading “Is God There?”
Mary’s Conception
Six months after the angel, Gabriel, announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias, he appeared unto Mary, Elisabeth’s cousin (Zacharias’ wife). On this occasion he would pronounce the great tidings that she would miraculously give birth to Israel’s Messiah: “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shaltContinue reading “Mary’s Conception”
Is Christ in My Christmas?
Luke records for us one of the most familiar passages in all the Scriptures, the birth of Christ. It begins, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed…And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. AndContinue reading “Is Christ in My Christmas?”
John’s Message of Repentance
In the days immediately preceding the Lord’s earthly ministry, John the Baptist arose on the scene “preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Luke 3:3). Repentance was (and still is) the necessary preparation of the heart to receive the Lord. There can be no forgiveness (remission) of sins without repentance and onlyContinue reading “John’s Message of Repentance”