Peter and Andrew And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)Peter and Andrew--Sons of John, were born in Bethsaida. They later settled in a home together in the town of Capernaum. They were fisherman and worked alongside James and John. They were companions and had probably known each other for years.Peter a

Jesus, who spoke about hell more than anyone else in the Bible, used this phrase to describe the intense suffering in hell. According to Strong’s 1030, gnashing means binding or grinding.Here is where Jesus warned people about the place “where there will be gnashing of teeth”: Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:41-43; Matthew 13:50; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24

“Learn what is pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10); how you ought to live and please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1); we do what pleases him (1 John 3:22); to please the Lord in every way (Col. 1:10).”Perhaps, the most famous passage that speaks to this aspect of the Lord’s will is found in the prophet Micah: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And

So even though things could be worse, that is never an appropriate thing to say to others or to let others say about their situation. God is not dismissive of our hardships, and neither should we be.2) Do not say: “What is God teaching you through this?” Or, “God will work this together for good.”Those platitudes are biblical in that God does teach

After Jesus and the disciples settled together around the Passover table, the first words Jesus spoke were these: “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15). As he faces a time of unimaginably intense suffering in his life, Jesus has a deep and powerful longing to be with his disciples. Though Jesus clearl

This can also relate to modern situations in which believers, God’s people, are surrounded by the turmoil of the world.Rather than words composed by a songwriter, this second stanza is a direct promise from God. When singing, worshippers are reciting the words of God to people in captivity and in a world at war. No matter what is going on, God prom

For more about what the Bible says about end times, click here.12 Bible Verses on the End Times1. “...but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom also he made the universe.” -Hebrews 1:22. “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your s

Once they had finally had their eyes opened to Jesus’ identity,“They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” (v 32).In other words, the truths Jesus shows them, and us, on this road will set hearts on fire. It will set your heart on fire, when you understand tha

The Bible exalts wise women The Bible exalts strong, capable and wise women! Does that statement surprise you? Think of the female heroines of the Bible:Jochebed courageously saved her infant son, Moses, and allowed Pharaoh’s daughter to raise him which resulted in the deliverance of the nation of Israel. Esther put her own life on the line to save

1. An Emphasis on Experience of Union with God There is typically an emphasis on experience of union with God, which generally assumes one of two forms: (a) a relational or ethical union conceived as a union of wills or spirits or a union of love; or (b) an essential union described as “absorption” into God to such a degree that personal identity i

Lots of people seem to think the devil is the equal and opposite of God, like the dark side of The Force. But Satan is a created being. God is infinite. Satan is less than a speck compared to the infinite One.If anything, Satan might be compared to Michael the Archangel, another created being. A.W. Tozer said we tend to think of created beings in a

1. PrayWhile this may seem obvious, prayer for professors gets more lip service than actual practice. After arriving (on time!) to your class, just before your professor begins, pray that God would bless him or her, that truth would be honored in the classroom, and that the task of learning would bring glory to God. Pray for God to draw your profes

Isaiah 65:23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them.Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him.Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a

(Adapted from Part 1: Why Read the Bible.)A Thought to KeepThe Bible is like nothing else. Make this a year you devote yourself to the book God has used to change countless lives. Sign up for a reading plan to get started.

“Find the knowledge of God” doesn’t mean we merely get knowledge ABOUT God. It means to KNOW GOD PERSONALLY.In John 17:3 Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”We can know God! There is no greater joy. Jesus came to reveal the Father and bring us to him. There is nothing sw

Do you need wisdom today? God is your helper. Do you need strength today? God is your helper. Do you need patience today? God is your helper. If God is your helper, that changes everything.

7. God is Merciful“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23-33 (ESV)God’s mercy is evident in the break of each new day. As the sun splits the sky into pastels, so God wipes away the darkness of the day before. “Why,” writes Dave Zuleger

So who are we? We are called sons of God (Galatians 3); new creations (2 Corinthians 5); children of God and heirs of God (Romans 8). The New Testament is brimming with descriptions of the Christian's identity in Christ.Understanding who we are in Christ will cause us to recognize why we are different from the world. The truth is, if we don't under

How to Check Our Spritual Health Sitting under faithful expository preaching is one way we accomplish this. Surrounding ourselves with godly friends and mentors is another. Regular Bible reading and prayer are other ways, as well. But perhaps one of the main regular spiritual doctor visits that we so desperately need is the Lord’s Supper. On the ni

He is a good Father. He loves to give good gifts to his children. Everything God does is good and righteous. Even when he takes us through things that feel hard, eventually we will see they were for our good and our joy and gladness in him.God’s ultimate plan for us is make us like Christ, and bring us to himself, where we will gaze upon the face o