Matthew 26:36-57 & Galatians 5:22-23 — Our world today is somewhat confused when it comes to self-control. In some areas of life it is highly prized and in others it is actively discouraged. The Apostle Paul tells us that self-control is the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work in the Christian’s life and all through the…
Colossians 2:8-9 — “Beware lest any man spoil you…” This is the second command in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, it’s an exhortation to be alert to false teachers who would rob them of all the benefits and blessings that were theirs in Christ. Paul describes how these teachers would attempt to do that and he…
Luke 3:21-22 — The baptism of Jesus was an event filled with symbolism and significance. It marked the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry and His presentation to Israel as their Messiah. It also signified His willingness to do God’s will and bear the people’s sin. The Father expressed His pleasure at His Son’s obedience and therein…
Colossians 2:6-7 — “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” This is the first command that Paul gives to the Colossians and all of the previous material in the letter has been building up to it. This is also the first command that every Christian needs to pay attention to. Christ has…
Proverbs 2:10-22 — In the first half of this chapter (vs.1-9), Solomon promises his son that God would give him wisdom if he applied himself to finding it. In the second half, he describes the good things that wisdom will do for him. Wisdom will deliver him from the “evil man” and the “strange woman”. As…
Proverbs 2:1-9 — Solomon knew the pitfalls his son would face. He knew of the easy counterfeit wisdom to which he would be drawn and so he exhorts his son to pursue true wisdom – the wisdom that comes from God. In speaking to his son, Solomon answers some vital questions for all of us,…
Proverbs 1:20-33 — In this text Solomon famously gives a voice to wisdom. She is seen speaking loudly and publicly inviting men and women to receive true knowledge and understanding. Much of what wisdom says points us to Christ and indeed over the centuries many have asserted that wisdom is in fact the Second Person…
Luke 3:10-14 — “Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.” So said John the Baptist to the crowds who came to hear him preach. In response, the people asked how they might do this. They wanted to know what these “fruits” looked like. John’s answer dealt with two serious spiritual problems and it revealed what it really…
Ezekiel 24:15-27 — Ezekiel was God’s prophet to the Jewish captives in Babylon where he was given remarkable visions of God. What we don’t often focus on is that when he was just 34 years old the Lord took his wife and commanded him not to mourn for her. This is a difficult story for us to…
Luke 3:4-9 — “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent”, he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” This was the first of Martin Luther’s famous 95 Theses that he posted to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Repentance was the message that the John the Baptist preached, for…