John records three statements by Thomas that give us a window into who he was. Considering these statements in each of their contexts provokes three good reminders for us today. We should be determined in our service for Jesus. Leading up to Thomas’s first statement, Jesus wanted to go to Bethany to raise Lazarus from… Read More »
Apart from finding his name in the lists of disciples, the only stories that focus on Matthew (Levi) are of his call to be a disciple and a feast that he gave in honor of Jesus (Mark 2:13–17, Matthew 9:9–13, and Luke 5:27–32). By way of illustration, Matthew teaches us two simple lessons. First, leave… Read More »
Philip illustrates two lessons for us today from a handful of passages in John. These lessons may not be the primary points of the passages that we will consider, but they are nonetheless good reminders for us today. Those who seek the Lord will find Him. Jeremiah 29:13 promises, “You will seek Me and find… Read More »
I started having chills on Tuesday, December 1. Over the next couple of weeks, I had Covid-19 with just about all of its symptoms, and it developed into Covid-pneumonia. It is by far the worst illness I’ve had in decades, and I thank God that my family did not get it to the degree that… Read More »
Ephesians 6:11–17 gives us the necessary commands and picturesque language to prepare us for spiritual battle. What follows below is a brief summary of four themes from this passage. First, stand ready and firm in battle. We ready ourselves with God’s armor in order “to stand” (Ephesians 6:11), “to withstand” (Ephesians 6:13), and “to stand… Read More »
What follows below are three simple practical lessons illustrated from the life of Andrew. These lessons may not be the main points of each narrative cited below, but they come to mind when we observe the various texts describing the life of Andrew. As simple as they may be, I hope they encourage you today.… Read More »
Proverbs and Kings What follows below in this section is simply a brief summary of the verses in Proverbs mentioning a “king” or “kings.” The glory of kings is their people, and their ruin is to lose them (14:28; 30:31). To keep the favor of the king and to avoid his wrath, one should be… Read More »
This is more or less a transcript from a Facebook Live video that I provided to my church yesterday morning. I hope you find it to be an encouragement during trying times. Bold formatting indicates main points and Scriptural quotations from the ESV. — Imagine being pressed from all sides in life, find yourself in… Read More »
These are my notes from teaching some teens on this topic in my church. This is a debated issue, but I believe Scripture is sufficient to answer whether or not Christians should get tattoos. Here is what I believe Scripture says about the matter: At the very least, tattoos or any other modification of our… Read More »
“On the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia” (Ezra 7:9).1 When Ezra set out on this journey, he was resolved to see it through: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules… Read More »