Abraham was a man of great faith. He trusted, without wavering, in the promises of God (Rom. 4:20-21). Yet, Abraham accepted that he would never see the fullness of God’s promises on this earth. He did not put his hope on this earth. He, along with the other patriarchs, “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13). Knowing…

When was the last time that you LOOKED FORWARD to going to midweek Bible study on Wednesday night? Hopefully that’s every week! But, do you truly “look forward” to it? Years ago, Wednesday night services were called “Prayer Meetings.” Gradually that changed to be called “Bible Study” or “Midweek Services.” But, is there still an emphasis on prayer? One Wednesday morning recently,…

How many folks (especially in the church) do you know who are older than you? Any? Have you noticed that sometimes “older” individuals are not quite as “sharp” as they “used to be”? As a result, sometimes they are disregarded, set aside, and even disrespected. We need to be very careful in how we treat those who are “older.” The New Testament…

So, how are you doing? “Better than I deserve!” Have you known anyone who responded in that way? For many such folks, it really didn’t matter what kind of day they were having. They could have had a rough morning and may have even been carrying a heavy burden of some kind. Yet, they really meant it–“Better than I deserve!” These kind…

Is that you? Are you “coming to worship” but “enjoying it less”? Or, have you stopped coming because you just “weren’t enjoying it” or maybe you’re not coming as much? Over the years, there have been others in your same position. Maybe it’s the preacher who “just isn’t doing it for me anymore.” Maybe it’s the songs that “we just keep singing…

The apostle Peter recounts how Jesus continually suffered and was reviled at the hands of His enemies, and then He reveals what Jesus did in response–He kept on committing Himself (the force of the verb tense) to God (1 Pet. 2:23). Two chapters later, Peter was continuing to address the present reality of the followers of Christ also continually suffering and being…

Do you suppose that the Jews respected Nebuchadnezzar, when he besieged their home nation of Judah, when he took them captive and when he carried them back to Babylon as his prisoners of war? Yet, it is under his rule as tyrant king that the Lord revealed to him and to His people “that the Most High rules in the kingdom of…

Nehemiah 8 is an interesting illustration of seeing the people’s heart through their outer posture. Ezra stood on a wooden platform for the purpose of reading the Book of the Law to the people. “And when he opened it, all the people stood up” (Neh. 8:5). Out of respect for the Word of God, the people could not remain seated. Then “Ezra…