“Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). In today’s scripture reading, we find Jesus meeting His cousin and God-given herald, John the Baptist. We shall discuss only Matthew’s version of this encounter. Mark also describes it, but there are no words ofContinue reading “At This Time”
Category Archives: Exposition
A Psalm of Hope
Fear and anxiety are rampant in our world. It is easy to understand why. The pandemic reminded us of the fragile nature of our lives, jobs, and the economy. While there are days when life feels precarious, today’s psalm describes how God’s people remained secure and joyful in a world just as uncertain as ourContinue reading “A Psalm of Hope”
They Do Not Understand Him
“Why is it that you were looking for me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). We find this story of an event in Jesus’s childhood only in Luke, as we might expect since Dr. Luke likely knew Mary better than the other gospel writers did. TheContinue reading “They Do Not Understand Him”
Cain’s Wife?
Genesis 4:17 tells us, “Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch.” That is the first and last mention of the wife of Cain in the entire Bible. Naturally, this raises some questions: Who was she, and where did she come from? The Bible names only three offspring of Adam and Eve: Cain,Continue reading “Cain’s Wife?”
God’s Look at the Poor
The Bible has a lot to say about being poor, and we have many examples of poor people in Scripture. Since material wealth is not a sure indication of God’s blessing, being poor is not necessarily a sign of God’s disapproval. In fact, it is possible to be poor in material things but rich inContinue reading “God’s Look at the Poor”
Sweeter Than Honey
Relationships change us. If we have a close friend or spouse that we share life with, it is inevitable that they will impact how we think and behave. In Psalm 119, the author has had a close relationship with God through studying His Word. He has immersed himself in Scripture and now crafts a poemContinue reading “Sweeter Than Honey”
More Precious to Me than Silver or Gold
Imagine that you spent your entire life studying Scripture and trying to live it faithfully. What would your life look like? How would you relate to God and others? Psalm 119 shows us, in this carefully and lovingly crafted poem, what it looks like to love the Lord and His Word. I rejoice in followingContinue reading “More Precious to Me than Silver or Gold”
Going Home
The apostle Paul, when inquiring of those early believers in Ephesus about their knowledge of the Holy Spirit, was met with this reply: “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit” (Acts 19:2). Sadly, the same response could be heard from many believers today. The emphasis on who the SpiritContinue reading “Going Home”
Mid-Afternoon: A Holy War
The concept of “holy war” is most commonly expressed as a war justified on the grounds of religious differences. As typically understood, this concept is neither taught nor encouraged by the Bible. The ancient Israelites were never given a broad mandate to wage war on behalf of their faith, though they were given a specificContinue reading “Mid-Afternoon: A Holy War”
Mid-Morning: Believers Who Die
Yes, regenerate believers in Christ will go to heaven, but more must be said here. Physical death is not the end of existence, but a door that the regenerate human soul and spirit goes through to enter the greater experience of life in God’s immediate presence (John 11:25). Today, in this physical world, the regenerateContinue reading “Mid-Morning: Believers Who Die”
Intentional Faith 