You’re not considering that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish. In this one brief statement, these leaders' overarching philosophy of "the ends justifies the means" is clearly revealed. Whatever it takes to protect their place in the world must be pursued. Whatever … Continue reading Ends and Means – John 11:50
Security – John 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish — ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. The security we have in Christ is profound. He makes it clear that no other one can remove us from His protection and care. It could even be argued that we cannot remove ourselves; … Continue reading Security – John 10:28
Dull Ears, Hard Hearts – Zechariah 7:13
Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts. If men consistently refuse to listen, God refuses to waste His breath speaking to them. Silence from God as a result of our refusal to hear is an … Continue reading Dull Ears, Hard Hearts – Zechariah 7:13
Legalistic Condemnation – John 9:30-34
“This is an amazing thing,” the man told them. “You don’t know where He is from, yet He opened my eyes! We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him. Throughout history no one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of … Continue reading Legalistic Condemnation – John 9:30-34
Eternal Life – John 8:51
Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death. Only One who has ultimate authority over death can make such a claim. The one who keeps the Word of Jesus Christ will not see death. What greater promise is found in this life? None. Nothing compares to this … Continue reading Eternal Life – John 8:51
Prideful Perspective – John 7:45-49
Then the temple police came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why haven’t you brought Him?” The police answered, “No man ever spoke like this!” Then the Pharisees responded to them: “Are you fooled too? Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd, which doesn’t know the … Continue reading Prideful Perspective – John 7:45-49
Condemning Assumptions – John 7:50-52
Nicodemus — the one who came to Him previously, being one of them — said to them, “Our law doesn’t judge a man before it hears from him and knows what he’s doing, does it?” “You aren’t from Galilee too, are you?” they replied. “Investigate and you will see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” … Continue reading Condemning Assumptions – John 7:50-52
Assuming – John 7:42-43
Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Messiah comes from David’s offspring and from the town of Bethlehem, where David once lived?” So a division occurred among the crowd because of Him. Uninformed assumptions naturally lead to bad conclusions. It appears that none of these have made much effort to find out where Jesus is really … Continue reading Assuming – John 7:42-43
The Power of Praise – 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever. The moment they began their shouts and praises, … Continue reading The Power of Praise – 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Written Revelation – John 5:46-47
For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” They would not believe the written revelation and it has put them in a position of having to deny the actual physical revelation of God among them. God … Continue reading Written Revelation – John 5:46-47
Faith and Life – John 5:24
“I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life." Salvation is by grace through faith. Jesus makes that perfectly clear in this statement. He has the authority, power and willingness to grant us eternal … Continue reading Faith and Life – John 5:24
Jesus’ Prerogative – John 5:7-8
“Sir,” the sick man answered, “I don’t have a man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.” “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk!” It strikes me that the paralyzed man doesn't really answer Jesus' question. … Continue reading Jesus’ Prerogative – John 5:7-8
Be On Your Guard – 2 Peter 3:17
Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stability. To live in a culture of lawlessness is dangerous to our soul. Our commitment is challenged daily and the tendency is to be … Continue reading Be On Your Guard – 2 Peter 3:17
Decreasing – John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.” The intentional, honest humility in this statement is nothing short of amazing. John has invested his entire life preaching, teaching and leading people; yet, he never lost sight of his primary purpose: preparing people for the coming of the Messiah. Now, as he realizes his task is complete, … Continue reading Decreasing – John 3:30
The Creative Will Of God – Revelation 4:11
Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created. Considering the great honor we give to our mothers and our fathers simply because they willed us into existence, it is no wonder that we … Continue reading The Creative Will Of God – Revelation 4:11
Courage With God – Joshua 1:9
"Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” It is interesting that we are commanded to be strong and courageous knowing that Father God is with us always. For a weak man of fear such as myself this … Continue reading Courage With God – Joshua 1:9
Heaven Sent – John 3:27
John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven. For Christ to increase in our lives we must first realize that everything we are and everything we have comes from Heaven. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights. Our operating base must be … Continue reading Heaven Sent – John 3:27
Radiant Glory – Revelation 2:28
I will also give him the morning star. Colossians 3:4 - When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same … Continue reading Radiant Glory – Revelation 2:28
Time to Repent – Revelation 2:21
I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Danger and death lie in a refusal to repent and change. It is when we rebelliously refuse to turn our back on the sinful nature and the satisfaction of it and turn toward Father God and His re-creation of our … Continue reading Time to Repent – Revelation 2:21
Bible Study with Jesus – Luke 24:27
Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. What an amazing experience this must have been for these disciples. The Lord Jesus Himself teaches their personal Bible study. The Messiah walks them through the Holy Scriptures explaining everything in the Old Testament that … Continue reading Bible Study with Jesus – Luke 24:27