I Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Paul makes it clear in I Corinthians 15 that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then we have wasted our lives. Believing in Jesus is about much more than this life. If there is no life after […]
The preacher’s goal
I Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. Paul was contrasting the gift of prophecy and the gift of tongues. The people were so impressed with those that spoke in tongues while the greater impression should have been with those that prophesied. The prophecy was them getting a message from God for the […]
We need each other
I Corinthians 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. God didn’t give us all with the same gifts. He intentionally made us different. We are not to compare ourselves with each other. We are not […]
Heresy needed
I Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. The word heresy refers to a fundamental error in doctrine. It would usually refer to a denial of essential Biblical doctrine. The basic word refers to division. It would speak of a group holding to certain […]
More to those Idols than you think
I Corinthians 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. The Gentiles in this verse refer to the pagans, those without the true God. They are making their sacrifices to false gods. You can’t see it as some innocent ignorance. They […]
Let them mistreat you
I Corinthians 6:7 Now, therefore, there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? The believers of Corinth were fighting, fussing, and even suing each other before the law, the courts. Paul couldn’t believe their attitudes towards each other. Paul wanted […]
Power not talk
I Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. God’s work is not a matter of sophisticated words but the power of God. You don’t have to sound so impressive, but what is important is whether or not you live effectively what the Word teaches. People know what they should be […]
Glory in the Lord not men
I Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; The Lord Jesus is to be our glory. He is the One we are to boast in and on. We get so hung up on personalities. We brag because we know someone. This early church was personality crazy. They had formed cliques around their […]
Discernment
I Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. God’s people, those that are spiritual, exercise discernment. They take their concerns and ideas to the Lord to find His will. They check out their thoughts by the Spirit and the Word of God. They are not making decisions based […]
Worship in the book of II Samuel
2 Samuel 12:20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 2 Samuel 15:32 And it came to […]
Worship in the book of I Samuel
1 Samuel 1:3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. The first verse has worship and sacrifice linked. It was connected with giving an […]
Worship in the book of Judges
Judges 7:15 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. Here Gideon hears the interpretation of a dream and then worships. We […]
Worship in Joshua
Joshua 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? It is interesting that so far, we have not found any music associated […]
Worship in Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. We skipped the […]
Worship in the book of Exodus
Exodus 4:31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. They believed God. They saw that God was good to them. They were grateful. They bowed and thanked God. This is […]
Worship in the book of Genesis
Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. I wonder if we use the word worship as it is used Biblically. We experience worship wars in the American churches. So let’s exam the […]
Humility
II Samuel 9:8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? David has decided to show kindness to his memory and promise to Jonathan. He sends and finds out about Mephibosheth, who is basically in hiding. He is lame. Mephibosheth knows […]
Who should be pleased
II Samuel 6:8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day. David decided to bring the ark home. He didn’t take the time to find out how God wanted the ark treated. David followed the pattern the Gentiles […]
Bitterness kills
II Samuel 3:39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. Slowly David had been growing in strength. Saul got weaker and was losing his control of the kingdom. Abner […]
No answered prayer
I Samuel 28:6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Saul has sinned against God. God has finished using Saul in the ministry. Saul has been placed on a shelf, out of the ministry. He has lost all his part in […]
Even his enemy knew He was God’s man
I Samuel 24:20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. Saul wants to kill David. David has spared Saul’s life. Saul had gone into a cave to rest. While he was there, David cuts off the corner of […]
Who are you strengthening in the Lord’s work
I Samuel 23:16 And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. Saul is attempting to kill David. David is running for his life. As David is hiding out, Jonathan betrays his dad and seeks out David. His goal is not to harm David but to […]
Fear is the opposite of faith
I Samuel 21:10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. David flees in fear. He will act like he is crazy to save his life. He is trusting his own abilities and devices to protect him. He has to pretend to be someone […]
No surprise
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, We have been warned. Jesus is coming again. When He does, even the dead in Christ will hear His voice. The entire world will know that He is who He said […]
Personal experience
John 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. Jesus had spoken to the Samaritan woman at the well. She had believed. After believing she had gone into the city […]
Conflicted
I Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? David hears Goliath and wants to know […]
God prepares His man
I Samuel 16:21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. It is amazing how God prepares a person to do the ministry He calls them to do. At the beginning of this chapter, I Samuel 16:1 Samuel is sent to anoint the next […]
God is not always with us
Deuteronomy 1:42 And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. The people of Israel had rebelled against God. They had refused to go when God had commanded them to go. When they found out how angry […]
Don’t take it so personally
I Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. God’s people chose to have a king instead of following God’s man. Samuel had […]
Listening for the Lord’s voice
I Samuel 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Samuel didn’t know what God’s voice sounded like. He was not accustomed to hearing from God […]
He hurts for His people
Judges 10:16 And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. Jair became the judge over Israel. He served 22 years. After his death, God’s people returned to their sin. God became very angry because of their sin and allowed […]
God is moving again
Judges 13:25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. God’s people are hurting. I love this verse because it tells us that God began to move again. He will be bringing Samson to the nation. God will move in great and […]
The gift came first
I Samuel 2:20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. Hannah had wanted a son. She had begged God. She promised God that she would give her baby to […]
What it means not to discipline our children
I Samuel 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? Eli’s sons are not honoring God. The nation of Israel is tired of the […]
Hannah’s prayer
I Samuel 2:6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, To set them among princes, […]
What love!
Luke 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: Jesus is about to die on the cross when this verse is written. He loves His disciples. Our Lord has longed to take the Lord’s Supper with them. He knows that He is going […]
Will you be ready when He comes?
Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Jesus is coming soon. As time passes, we tend to let our guard down. We allow parties, money, fun, and activity to dull […]
Don’t plan what you will say
Luke 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: The context of this verse has nothing to do with preaching. I grew up hearing that I should depend on the Lord for what to say in the pulpit. I didn’t need to plan what I was going to […]
He had to hire followers
Judges 9:4 And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him. Gideon has died. The people immediately stopped doing right and began worshipping Baal. They had forgotten God. They didnt honor the family of Gideon though he had […]
Just a boy
Judges 8:20 And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Gideon calls on his firstborn to kill a man. Jether is still young. He is dressed up like a soldier. He carries a sword. He looks […]
You can trust God
Judges 7:14 And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host. Gideon is consumed by his fear and doubts. He has asked God for two different signs via sheep’s […]
You will think you did it
Judges 7:2 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. God wanted all the glory for the victory that Gideon was about to win. To keep […]
Never breaks His covenant
Judges 2:1 And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. I love reading the Scripture and […]
Jesus is Eternal
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. The religious leaders of Israel could only see Jesus as a regular man. He was making it abundantly clear that He was God. The “false spiritual” people reminded Jesus that they were […]
Too strong
Judges 1:19 And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. The Lord blessed Judah as he took possession of the land God had promised and given him. He drove out the people […]
Do what you promised
Joshua 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with […]
He always keeps His Word
Joshua 21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. One of the most reassuring truths I find as I read the Bible is that God keeps His Word. Men fail often. God never fails. Others do not keep their promises. […]
His coming will be obvious to all
Luke 17:24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. Jesus will return to the earth one day. He will come in great power. Jesus will make an appearance that all will […]
Taxing instead defeating
Joshua 17:13 Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out. God told the Israelites to destroy and utterly drive out the pagan nations that had inhabited the land. The point was that those nations worshipped false […]
Getting old
Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. Joshua has led the Israeli army across the Jordan River. He directed the battles. God used Joshua to divide up much of […]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 60
- Next Page »