“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 28:19). As my wife and I became teachers several years ago, we had to figure out what this verse looked like in our own lives. We knew we should […]
Jacob had two wives, Rachel and Leah. Rachel was the wife that he really loved, but she was barren, unable to conceive. She was fearfully frustrated and pleaded with Jacob, “Give me children or else I die!” (Gen. 30:1). Later, Rachel did conceive and bore Jacob two sons. What impresses me is the intensity of […]
During His earthly ministry, the Savior called to many people in many situations. He called the weary and heavy-laden, laboring through life’s toils and troubles, to find rest in Him (Mt. 11:28-30). He called those who were spiritually thirsty to come to Him and drink deeply and find that He alone is able to quench […]
Pharaoh and Amalek represent two different influences: Pharaoh represents the hindrance to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt; Amalek represents the hindrance to their walk with God through the wilderness. Pharaoh used the things of Egypt to keep Israel from serving the Lord; he, therefore, prefigures Satan, who uses “this present evil world” against the people of […]
John 6, and especially John 6:37, is considered by Calvinist scholars and Bible teachers to be among their most convincing texts. Calvinist author James White believes it to be the strongest Calvinist passage in the entire Bible. In his book, The Potter’s Freedom, he writes: John 6:37-45 is the clearest exposition of Calvinism in the […]
Merciful blessings It might have sounded like a real put-down, but the patient was gracious and took the visitor’s correction kindly. Her friend had asked her to select a hymn for them to sing together. She chose “Count Your Many Blessings, Name Them One by One.” After the duet, the visitor asked if she would […]
Morning is breaking In the book of Philippians, Paul speaks of “the day of Christ” three times (Php. 1:6, 10; 2:16). In each of these verses, it is clear that he is referring to the rapture and the rewards associated with it. Let us consider the passages in the New Testament that are the basis […]
Extreme danger ahead Our day could rightly be called the Day of Man. From the beginning, man has gone his own way (Rom. 1:28a), glorifying himself rather than the Creator (Gen. 11:4; Ex. 5:2; Dan. 3:15). Many people proclaim, “There is no God” (Ps. 14:1; 53:1), revealing themselves to be “haters of God” (Rom. 1:30). […]
It’s Closing Time The phrase the Day of the Lord is used in two different, yet connected, ways in Scripture. It is used in a broad way to speak of the whole Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom. The broad use puts the day of the Lord between the day of Christ, which begins at the […]