CHRIST the CAPTIVATOR: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive” (Eph 4:8). “…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). We who were Satan’s captives have been set free, only to be captivated now by the love of Christ! The Psalmist describes in Psalm 119 how captivated he […]
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples” (1 Chron 16:23-24). Looking for a great resolution for the coming year? You couldn’t do better than this! To sing the Lord’s praises more, to share […]
Arnot McIntee tells the story of a preacher at Orator’s Corner in Hyde Park, London, England. A heckler interrupted: “Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve been hearing this chap talk about God, heaven, sin, the devil and hell. I hope you won’t believe a word of it. I don’t. I refuse to believe anything I can’t see.” […]
Imagine fishing for a sea monster with a hook and line. But in this sea story, it’s Job who gets hooked! The Lord hasn’t finished the interrogation. Job had said, “Oh, that I knew where I might find Him…I would present my case before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments” (Job 23:3- 4). He asked for […]
CHRIST the MERCY SEAT: “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood” (Rom 3:24-25). The word “propitiation” (hilasterion) can also be translated “mercy seat.” The mercy seat was the solid gold lid of the ark of the covenant, considered […]
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments” (Ps 119:176). We know how sheep get lost, don’t we? When sheep are nibbling grass, their eyes are just a few inches off the ground. They see no danger; they just enjoy the grass. Then they see […]
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land…” (Mt 27:45). Some skeptics claim that there are no non-Christian accounts of Christ and the early Christians. This is patently false. Josephus, Pliny the Younger, Tacitus and the Jewish Mishnah, among others, speak of Him. One of the most interesting citations attests to […]
CHRIST the MYSTERY: “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh” (1 Tim 3:16). We have invested a full year exploring the wonders of Christ. Yet surely we have only begun. It is “eternal life,” said He, to know Him (see Jn 17:3). Who can plumb the depths of […]
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work” (2 Thess 2:16-17). Does the Spirit miss out on these delightful ministries to us? Of course not! […]