“And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:17). Those who were Jews as well as the Gentiles received the message of peace. The message was originally given to Jews. Great enmity existed between the two. There was division between man and man as well as man and God.…
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44). The Father draws us by way of His Spirit that we may be close to Him. There is a place in God awaiting each soul that is discontent and longing to be where He…
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). The household of faith is the instrument in God’s hands to bring sinners to salvation. They are the carriers of the Gospel message with the potential of setting the captives free. To do good concerning those who…
“Don’t run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God’s concerns, and he will take care of them. We’ve warned you about this before. God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful — as beautiful on the inside as the outside” (1Thessalonians 4:6-7 MSG). The care and concern…
“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12). The knowledge of God is the hinge to which all other believed truths must be attached. When we know…
“May God, who puts all things together; makes all things whole, who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant” (Hebrews 13:20 MSG). God is able to put broken pieces back together again. What great men only wish to happen, God is able to make happen. He is aware of…
”Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). We are invited to come closer to God as we meet the conditions of spiritual intimacy. His blessings are as the result of our moving in His direction. Many may attempt to confiscate the benefits without the relationship, but God will test the purity of…
“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). In troubled times, we become acutely aware of our need for rescue. When the currents of life are rising all around us and it seems as if there is no way to…
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn” (Isaiah 54:17). The objective of Satan is the formation of weapons that may be used to attack areas of apparent weaknesses against the saints of God. The alluring factions that seem to appear out of nowhere were skillfully planned with precision…
Legalism is defined as the “excessive adherence to laws or formulas,” and as its name implies, it is a rigidly constructed concept that does not consider variables that may require acts of mercy and kindness, even when the act may be judged as wrong or substandard. Unfortunately, legalism is the rule of engagement among both liberals and conservatives. Whenever stringent…
“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach” (Mk 3:14). The series of events are in sequential order. First, they were appointed that they might be with Him; then they were sent out to preach. If they had not come to Him when He called them to be with…
”Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1Timothy 4:12). Youthful lusts do not automatically translate into wantonness. There are temptations that come in our youth to channel our energies in the direction of our newfound passions. It takes forethought to consider the…