Commitment
Qualifications for Leadership
Paul begins a series of closing remarks, exhortations, challenges, and greetings. Faith, conviction, courage, and love are essential ingredients for success and victory. As the Corinthians wait for Paul’s next visit, he exhorts them to a fivefold commitment: …
Prayer For Understanding God’s Word
The writer seems to be experiencing many trials and troubles in his life. Even though his difficulties are a result of his own weaknesses, he is not driven away from God but is drawn closer to Him. As believers we desire a deeper understanding and a greater insight into God’s Word…
From “God” to “Stoning” ?“ Paul Still Committed to Preach
There was a temple of Jupiter near by and the priest of the temple came quickly bringing oxen and wreaths of flowers. They were ready to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas and worship them (v. 13). When these missionaries realized that the people had not heard the Gospel, but …
Nehemiah Sets Up a Communication System
When Nehemiah’s enemies heard that their plot had been discovered, they did not attack and the people resumed their construction work (v. 15). However, Nehemiah exercises caution and devises a plan of defense that will unite and protect his people. He divides the people around th …
Serve God from the Heart not the Head
Joshua comes back with a reply that is perhaps one of the most shocking statements of the Old Testament (v. 19). After spending an entire lifetime of trying to get the Israelites to commit to serving God, and after getting the affirmative answer he was seeking, Joshua says: “You cannot …
Exhortation to Readiness
Why is it that Christians often need to be motivated to give when God has given us so much? God had provided for the Corinthians in such a wonderful way, and yet they were hesitant to share what they had with others. One year before this, the Corinthians had enthusiastically said they would …
Obedience Brings Life
As we think about Israel’s future, their stay in the land will be determined by their obedience (vv. 15-16). Some day He will return them to the Land, and they shall never go out again. When He brings them back, they will obey Him. Moses never taught the Israelites that they were justified …
Satan’s final battle
Notice that two of Satan’s activities in these verses is to deceive the world and to accuse the brethren (v. 10). The critical blow came to Satan when Jesus Christ shed His blood for our sins (v. 11). The victory is won by Christ’s death in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. As we face the battle with …
"Be sure your sin will find you out.”
The Israelites had been camped in the plains of Moab, across from Jericho. From this position they were ready to enter the Promised Land. The tribes of Reuben and Gad went to Moses and tried to assure him they had no desire to shirk their responsibility of conquering the land wes …
Jacob Moves His Flocks to Canaan
God could not allow Jacob to settle forever in the land from which years before he had called Abraham, so He allowed things to turn sour. Animosity was growing against him by Laban and his sons (vv. 1-2). Also, God had told Jacob to return to his own land (v. 3). Up to this point Jacob …