So [Jesus] stood over [Peter’s mother-in-law] and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them. (Luke 4:39) ...
Running Again (Or, “How the Worst Itch Ever Reminded me of the Best Fix of All”) The itch was so bad I could barely stand ...
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on ...
[The people] got up, drove Him out of town and brought Him to the edge of the hill their town was built on, intending to ...
You are my beloved Son. I take delight in you. (Luke 3:22b) The steadfast, unchanging posture of God the Father toward God the Son is ...
Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourself, “We have Abraham as our father,” for I tell you that God is ...
Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight. (Luke 3:4b) John’s job was to ready the masses to receive the Messiah. His task ...
Therefore, holy brothers [and sisters], you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession… (Hebrews 3:1) Jesus ...
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. (Luke 2:52) Would you increase in your stature and standing ...
While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for [Mary] to give birth. (Luke 2:6) We live in a world of instant weather reports ...
[Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God, and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of ...
But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. (Luke 2:19) Wonderful things were happening to Mary, and she ...
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and ...
And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present ...
God’s Hope for Your Heart from 2 Timothy 3 GOD’S WORD PREPARES YOU FOR GOD’S WORK All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable ...
When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has ...
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:12) Guilt is a powerful motivator. It can change habits and open handbags, clean up words and free up wallets. Yet, in the life of a Christian, guilt is not of God. Conviction …
TOPICS: condemnation, conviction, forgiveness, freedom, grace, guilt, Hebrews 8, mercy, sin
So [Jesus] stood over [Peter’s mother-in-law] and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them. (Luke 4:39) In the culture of Jesus’ day, it was customary and expected for a woman to serve as a hostess whenever guests were in her home. …
TOPICS: fruit, gratitude, healing, Luke 4, response, salvation, selfishness, service, thankfulness, works, worship
Running Again (Or, “How the Worst Itch Ever Reminded me of the Best Fix of All”) The itch was so bad I could barely stand it. There I was, surrounded by the beauty of a fresh sunrise, sidewalk-jogging past a serene waterway and a meticulously trimmed golf course, and all …
TOPICS: Galatians 6, goals, patience, perseverance, persistance, progress, quitting, relationships, steadfastness, Work
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. (Hebrews 7:18-19) There are many substitute saviors in this life. …
TOPICS: confidence, foundation, grace, Hebrews 7, hope, salvation, works
[The people] got up, drove Him out of town and brought Him to the edge of the hill their town was built on, intending to hurl Him over the cliff. But He passed right through the crowd and went on His way. (Luke 4:29-30) Jesus has no need of a …
TOPICS: apologetics, calling, evangelism, faith, witness
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf… (Hebrews 6:19-20a) Of all the storms in this life, perhaps none is more troubling than uncertainty. Bad …
TOPICS: assurance, Hebrews 6, security, stability, strength
You are my beloved Son. I take delight in you. (Luke 3:22b) The steadfast, unchanging posture of God the Father toward God the Son is not dutiful acceptance, but glorious delight. The scandalous, unbelievable truth of the Gospel is that for those who are united with Jesus by grace through …
TOPICS: acceptance, family, favor, forgiveness, hope, love, Luke 3, redemption, salvation
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14) Good parents don’t give car keys to their toddler and put them behind the wheel on the freeway. Yet, certainly they hope their child …
TOPICS: growth, Hebrews 5, insight, power, scripture, wisdom
Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourself, “We have Abraham as our father,” for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! (Luke 3:8) There’s no point in saying “Jesus changed my life” if your life hasn’t …
TOPICS: conversion, discipleship, faith, fruit, Luke 3, obedience, redemption, salvation
So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. (Hebrews 4:9-10) Did God get tired and need a break after His work of creation? Of course not. He rested to …
TOPICS: freedom, habits, Hebrews 4, obedience, peace, rest, Sabbath, Work
