Christians must be thankful people. God commands us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We should be “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). We should be… Read More »
“Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Not only did Jesus teach His disciples how to pray (Luke 11:2–4; cf. Matt 6:9–13), but he also gave an example for us in His “High Priestly Prayer” in John 17. In other Scriptures, His apostles spoke by His authority and the Spirit to leave us example prayers… Read More »
Young and foolish, once I sought Splendid tasks and vainly wrought. On the scroll of fame I thought Largely writ for time to see Should my name and exploits be. Young I was, and foolish then Longed to win the praise of men. Long immortal verse to pen, Thought to sway by brilliant speech Hearts… Read More »
What follows below is some simple advice for reading your Bible and specifically how to understand a specific passage in depth. This advice is specifically geared towards teachers and similar to how I myself prepare to preach for our church. This post obviously does not say everything that could be said about Bible study, but… Read More »
James 5:13–16 ranks among Scripture’s most difficult passages to interpret. Charismatics use this passage to promise healing to the sick when a Christian believes as he ought when he prays. Catholics use this passage to teach “extreme unction” whereby they anoint someone with oil and say prayers for someone who is at the point of… Read More »
After Israel returned to her land from a seventy-year captivity (Ezra 1–2), the nation began to rebuild the temple. The return was in 538 BC. Rebuilding began in 536 BC, the year that Israel finished the temple’s foundation (Ezra 3). However, foreigners in Israel opposed and halted the work (Ezra 4:1–5). Foreigners beyond the borders… Read More »
Some churches host elaborate programs to entertain an audience. (Or some churches try this but do it very poorly.) Other churches have a liturgy so formal that only its ministers understand what is going on. Yet other churches may sing hymns, read Scripture, and do biblical things, but only for the sake of connecting with… Read More »
Babylon took Israel captive “until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths… seventy years,” a promise made “by the mouth of Jeremiah” (2 Chronicles 36:21; cf. Ezra 1:1). What was Jeremiah’s prophecy, and what were these Sabbaths that were equivalent to seventy years? Jeremiah 25:11–12 states, “This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste,… Read More »
After 70 years of captivity, Israel returned to her land in 538 BC (Ezra 1:1–4). The nation began to rebuild the temple in 536 BC. When the foundation was complete, some people shouted for joy, but the old men wept because the remembered the first temple and knew that this one was not the same… Read More »
Ezra wrote the book that bears his name approximately 450 BC. Similar to Luke’s writing of Luke-Acts, Ezra writes history in the third person and then shifts to first person when he is part of the story (cf. Ezra 7:27–28). Ezra 1:1–3a echoes 2 Chronicles 36:22–23, indicating that he perhaps wrote the Chronicles. He likely… Read More »