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You Are a Slave of What Controls You
Peter goes on to describe these false teachers as “wells without water” (v. 17). Can you picture finding a well of water in the middle of a desert and then discover that it was dry. In conclusion Peter says it is better to be ignorant of the way of the truth than to kno …
The budding of Aaron’s rod
In today’s passage God proves once again to the people that Aaron can be trusted and he is the High Priest of Israel (vv. 1-6). A situation was set up for a visible sign of God’s unmistakable choice of Aaron as High Priest. Each tribe was to be represented by a rod or branch of a …
The Generosity of Nehemiah
Nehemiah ruled as governor for twelve years in Jerusalem. During this time he did not take advantage of his position (v. 14). The governors who had ruled before him had heavily taxed the people (v. 15). He was more interested in serving the people than he was in fulfilling a voca …
Stephen Stoned to Death for his Faith
As Stephen laid the blame for the slaying of Christ squarely on them, the members of the council began to murmur. Finally under heavy conviction, they interrupted his sermon and rushed on him in preparation to stone him. They were so angry at him that they literally gnashed their …
Destruction of Israel
In today’s passage, Amos has a vision of the Lord standing next to the alter. This is either the alter in Jerusalem or more likely, the alter in Bethel (Amos 7:12). The Lord makes a proclamation of top to bottom destruction upon the religion and the people of Israel (v. 1). The top of the temple …
Nadab’s Evil Reign in Israel
This passage of scripture now returns to the history of Israel. The heir apparent to Israel’s throne, Abijah, had died in childhood. Therefore, his brother Nadab ascended to the throne. His reign lasted for less than two years (vv. 25-32). He continued the policies begun by his …
Jesus’ Prayer for Unity of Believers
The Lord has already prayed about security and sanctity; now the burden of His prayer is unity. In this passage He prays for the whole church down through the centuries, that they all may be unified (vv. 20-26). He is concerned that His people experience a spiritual unity that is like the oneness of …
Prayer For Deliverance
The historical background for this Psalm can be found in II Samuel 8:13-14; I Kings 11:15-16 and I Chronicles 18:12-13. King David had inherited all the dreadful years of failure and defeat, apostasy and backsliding, misery and woe under the judges and under Saul. He took o …
The Better Sanctuary In Which Christ Ministers
Under the old Jewish system priests were chosen only from the tribe of Levi, and sacrifices were offered only on the altar for forgiveness of sins (Heb. 7:12-14). Chapter 8 talks about two things that are superior under the priesthood of Christ as compared to the old system (vv. 1-6) …
The Testimony of the Healed Man
The Pharisees tried to pressure the healed man into withdrawing his testimony about Jesus. They wanted him to say that the miracle of his sight was only a miracle of God and that Christ was a sinner (v.24). He would not debate the character of Jesus Christ, because that was beyond his …