Paul starts off by telling the people how much he loves them and longs to see them (v. 1). He then tells two women in the Church to stop arguing (v. 2) and for others to help them (vv. 3-5). Paul takes time in this chapter to explain how we can have victory over ano …
We will find in this passage four claims made by Jesus regarding His identity. …
Jesus told a second parable about a farmer sowing wheat in his field (vv. 24-30). Later in the chapter (vv. 36-43) Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to the disciples. The Kingdom of heaven is like a farmer (Jesus) who sows good seed (believers) in a field (the world). But in the …
The true atheist is either foolish or wicked (vv. 1-3). He is foolish because he ignores the evidence that God exists or wicked because he refuses to live by God’s truths. We become atheists in practice when we rely more on ourselves than on God. In surveying all history, the psalmist …
The events of this chapter should not be confused with the sending out of the twelve apostles, even though there are similarities in the instructions given. The twelve apostles ministered in Galilee while these seventy disciples were sent into Judea. In this passage we find …
Moses gives the Job Description of Judges (v.v. 1-13) and Kings (v.v. 14-20). After Moses and Joshua died, the people were to be governed by judges and priests. It could only work if these leaders and the people were committed to following the Lord. Their Judges respons …
Esau arrived with four hundred men to meet Jacob. If Jacob had wanted to fight, Esau was ready. Esau knew nothing of Jacob’s changed heart and found Jacob cautiously awaiting him (vv. 1-2). Jacob humbly approached Esau to ward off any retaliating spirit, as he bows to him (v. 3). This …
The word tempt (v. 1) could better be translated test. God does not temp anyone with evil (James 1:13) but He does test. The Lord wanted to see if Abraham truly trusted Him to provide descendants as he had promised. Abraham gave instant unquestionable obedience. Would he try …
Have you coveted wealth or been proud of what you possess (vv. 24-28)? How do you respond to the suffering of an enemy (vv. 29-30) or the needs of a stranger (vv. 31-34)? Job states that he is ready for God to listen and answer him (vv. 35-37). He was so confident of his innocence …
Now we find a solemn warning against having evil companions. The world is full of evil men who will seek to lure their potential victims from the path of honor and virtue (vv. 10-13). Solomon warned his son not to “consent”. When we lived in youthful ignorance, our gut instinct was always …