Paul says it was good of you to help me when I was having such a hard time (v. 14). He continues by saying that my friends at Philippi remember what it was like when I started preaching the good news in Macedonia (v. 15). After I left there, they were the only church that became …
Jesus told the woman to go and to return to him with her husband (v. 16). As Jesus was a man, it would have been inappropriate for him to give the woman anything of value without her husband …
We begin with the words “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens†(v. 19). Fellowship? is enjoyed by those in God’s family and with His people, however, today God dwells in people. The early Christians devoted themselves t …
In the culture in which Solomon and his lover lived it was improper to show public affection except between family members. Therefore, his beloved wished that her husband was like a brother so that it would be acceptable for her to display affection for him at any time (v. 1). Verses 6 and 7 …
This portion of Scripture deals with dead works. God makes it plain that He doesn’t need or really want sacrifice. His first requirement is integrity. Sacrifices only show a worshiper’s outward obedience. Even for Christians, it is often easier to do the outward …
Do you love the Lord? True love is demonstrated by obedience to the Lord’s commandments (v. 15). If you are married, the same is true of your marriage vows. Love is not some emotional …
Amos condemned the rich, powerful leaders for living in luxury gained through violence and for ignoring the poor of the land (vv. 1-7). One of the main reasons Israel’s spiritual life had declined was because God’s people had grown complacent (v. 1). They had grown smug and sel …
A description is given of the most frightening holocaust in human history, the Battle of Armageddon (vv. 17-21). The name “Armageddon” means that mount of slaughter. The place is in Palestine on the edge of the plain of Esdraelon. The participants are several hostile groups led …
The key statement in this chapter is, “Let not your heart be troubled†(v. 1). We can understand why the disciples would be troubled. Jesus had told them that He was going to die, that one of them was a traitor, that Peter would disown Him three times, that Satan was at work against them …
The letter to Smyrna, the shortest of the seven letters, was written to Christians being persecuted not only by pagan Gentiles but also by hostile Jews and by Satan himself. Smyrna, a large city, rebuilt by Alexander the Great, was wealthy and famous…