More Joy in Forgiveness Than Holiness

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice …

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

“Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly …

We Are Fools

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which …

Trusting All of God’s Promises

“Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” (Matthew 5:42 NKJV) Few commands of Jesus are as difficult as this. One would think that the human eye is more easily plucked out and cast away (Matthew 5:21) than for us to willingly part with …

John 19:17-22, The Eye of the Storm

Readings: John 12:32, 19:17-22 As we read this text we enter into the climax of a story.  This is Christ’s story.  From the beginning of the Scriptures to the end it is all Christ’s story, but for much of it, in fact, most of it, Christ seems notably absent.  Christ, who is the very center …

Psalm 34:1-3, Coloured Memories

Readings: 1 Samuel, 21:10-15, Psalm 34:1-3, Romans 8:28 Understanding the background to this Psalm is essential to fully appreciating it, as the background draws out the power of David’s words when they are contrasted with what led up to the writing of Psalm 34.  In 1 Samuel 21, David flees from before Saul, who has …