Why Are There Three Different Books of John? Have you ever noticed in the book of Isaiah the rapid shifts of tone? In Isaiah 39 we read the sobering words of Hezekiah. He will be protected, but bad days are coming for the people of Israel. Then in chapter 40 and on there is a rapid shift in tone. The book moves from doom, gloom, and judgment to ho

The temple also contained 10 golden lampstands, likely patterned after the single menorah that occupied the Tabernacle. Each one was shaped like a tree, possibly to illustrate the Tree of Life that grew in Eden and now stands in the heavenly, holy city, the “new Jerusalem.” Each cup was shaped like an almond blossom, a tree known to bloom first in

What Can Christians Learn from Jesus’ Ministry in Perea? Jesus’ time in Perea reminds us of the dangers of godless or manipulative religion. The leaders in Jerusalem, who should have been the first to recognize the Messiah, instead tried to keep their power and control. Their legalism led them to oppose Jesus and even try to kill him. Religion with

A good refuge is both welcoming and certain. So what does it mean for God to be our refuge?What Does It Mean for God to Be Our Refuge? The Bible paints the picture that humanity pursues many places for refuge. Most all of them are like that rickety old shack. Others are a bit more buttressed. They can hold us for a season and make us feel quite saf

First of all, she appears to be seductive. We learn from the start that Samson fell in love with Delilah, and it’s more likely that she seduced him than vice versa. Given his reputation, Samson could probably have whoever he wanted. The text doesn’t say she loved him back, and her later actions suggest she didn’t. But Samson lived with an intensity

Be Sober and SteadfastIn this context, to be sober may not have anything to do with alcohol but with self-control. And to be steadfast is to stand firm. Predator animals, such as lions and tigers, will track down any sick, straying, or younger animals. These are the ones who may be weak and alone with no one around to help protect them (Luke 21:34-

1. America the Beautiful (and Other Patriotic Hymns)Please don’t get me wrong. I am an American and I love the United States of America. However, hymns are supposed to be songs of praise to God — not to praise or glorify a nation. Singing a song that praises a beautiful nation in a service designed to worship God can be a questionable thing for man

We intercede for Israel’s comfort. Just as you have spoken tenderly to Jerusalem and to us through your Spirit, we ask for you to comfort the Jews today. Bring counsel and healing to the suffering, and let your presence be tangibly felt for all who seek you. Let Israel know you have forgiven and restored them. You desire to bless them, so bring hop

The Story of the Gospel At some point, Christianity lost the narrative aspect of the Gospel. The early church began with the Jews but grew across the Roman Empire through the Gentiles, mostly influenced by the Hellenistic culture, a Greek-Roman combo. Greek philosophy still ruled the day and ended up greatly impacting the early church. This led Chr

Webster’s Dictionary defines covet as, “to wish for earnestly; to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpably.” Coveting is meditation on envious desires, where stealing is the action of taking without a right to it.Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we are treasuring anyone or anything

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).3. Bad Past ExperiencesWe all likely know or have heard of people who have had bad experiences in churches. Let’s face it, the evils of a large number of Catholic priests who abused children – especially young boys

12 Hymns to Stir Up Joy for Christmas1. Joy to the WorldIn 1719, Isaac Watts, an English minister and hymn writer, gifted us with one of the most beloved Christmas hymns of all time in “Joy to the World.” Countless artists have arranged and recorded this song over the years, in styles ranging from traditional choirs to contemporary gospel. But no m

For salvation, a mediator needs to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Jesus, as fully God, represents God’s authority and power and love. As fully man, he understands human weakness and endured the penalty of sin on our behalf. As God, he reveals the divine nature to humanity, and as man, he represents humanity before God.Connec

Israel existed as a nation until 721 BC, when the Assyrians conquered them and took them into captivity. Judah existed as a nation until 587 BC, when the Babylonians conquered them, led by Nebuchadnezzar II, and many were taken into captivity. Lesson from the Splitting of the NationsThe nation of Israel began with God’s promise to Abraham that he

2. Conviction Is More Than a Feeling Conviction is never without purpose. What God intends is more than a feeling of discomfort. Distinguished professor Mary Kassian said that in Christian circles, we tend to use the word “conviction” as an adjective. “We associate conviction with the way that we feel. ‘I’m feeling conviction. I’m feeling guilty. M

2. “O Holy Night”Lyrics by Placide Cappeau, Anonymous (melody)Commissioned by a parish priest, Placide Cappeau, a devout atheist and anti-cleric wrote the poem, “O Holy Night” after researching the Gospel of Luke. An opera singer loved the poem and she asked an unknown Jewish musician to write a melody for the poem.In 1906 Reginald Fessenden, a che

What Jesus Didn’t SayThis doesn’t mean the Lord expects us to give all that we have to whomever we encounter. We know this, again, from considering other passages in Scripture. In Proverbs we’re encouraged to manage our finances well so that we can provide for our families and even leave an inheritance for our children (Proverbs 13:22).Scripture al

I can imagine the disciples wondered, why not go home for the night? Sleep in a real bed? Reconvene in the morning, regroup and plan for the day? Why cross over now?“And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones” (Mark 5:5).I believe that Jesus heard the man’s tormented cry for help

Finding the Gospel Message in NahumYour Bible likely has a subheading that says something like “God’s Wrath Against Nineveh” or “Nineveh Destroyed.” What is interesting, though, is that the word Nineveh only appears in verse 1. (Yes, I know in some translations it is there in verse 8, but it only says “her place”). In fact, some of the language her

The 9/11 attacks happened unexpectedly and was a normal workday for business professionals, policemen, and firefighters. None of them was prepared for what was going to happen that day, nor were their families.Dear God, please help in the healing of not only our nation but also of the individuals who were affected. Provide healing to the families a