Maybe it is just me, but it seems that people today tend to be dissatisfied with life in general. They may be dissatisfied about the way they look, their weight, their job, their church, their financial situation, their spouse, or the way their children behave. This dissatisfacti …
In these verses we find both Jesus and John ministering and baptizing (vv. 22- 23); Jesus in Judea and John farther north along the Jordan River near Salim. This was before John was thrown into prison (v. 24). We know it was not Jesus Himself who administered the rite of baptism b …
In the previous passage, Jesus healed the lame man on the Sabbath (vv. 8-9). Later Jesus found the man in the temple and told him to stop sinning or something worse would happen to him (v. 14). Jesus was interested not only in the healing of a person’s body, but far more importantly he was …
Peter says it is the will of God that Christians should be subject to their governments. In New Testament days the government was authoritarian and it was the duty of citizens to follow the rulers in absolute obedience (vv. 13-17). If Peter could urge believers to submit …
When Israel was still encamped in Moab, waiting to cross over the Jordan into Canaan, Moses included as part of his last instructions to Joshua that an altar of stones be erected on Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 27:4). Following the victory at Ai, Joshua felt compelled to fulfill Moses’ command …
This psalm returns to the problem David had in Psalm 37 and was emphasized again in Psalm 49. It deals with the age old problem of what seems to be the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the godly.The problem is stated (vv. 1-3) – Even though the Psalmist has con …
Finally, Nebuchadnezzar “lifted his eyes to heaven†silently acknowledged the sovereignty of God (vv.34-35). The king’s mind was restored, and he immediately started praising and honoring God. Nebuchadnezzar had seen God’s power displayed several times during his life, but it never had a …
Solomon looks ahead (vv. 22-31) and asks God to help His people in various trials of life. He petitioned for his own needs back in chapter 1. Now he shows great concern for his people. The heart of the pastor is taken up with the needs of his flock. Genuine revival begins by asking for …
As Pilate refuses to execute Jesus, the Jewish leaders continue to bring group pressure and display their hatred toward Him and shout for His death. According to Roman law, Jesus was innocent but the Jews now appeal to their law (vv. 7-8). They say that since Christ has claimed t …
The wicked man has no protection. The psalmist likens his future to smoke that soon disperses and vanishes. God has His winds which can soon blow away the defenses of the wicked man. On the other hand, no calamity can befall the righteous that God is unaware of (v. 18). They …