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 …

Peter’s Denial of Christ and Our Denial

“While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went …

Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Preface to his Bible-in-a-Year Plan

Being January 1st, many Christians around the world are beginning a new season of Bible reading. Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s plan remains immensely popular and is found in many Bibles and in many pamphlets. Only recently did I learn that the Reverend wrote a preface to his Bible reading plan, where he lays out what he …

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 …

The Development of the Cult of Mary Between 100-200 AD

This post was initially a research paper that I wrote for my Church History Class. A copy with footnotes is available upon request. The Virgin Mary, though minimally spoken of throughout the New Testament, has become the most well-recognized supporting character in literary history.  Her likeness may be found among household shrines in India, murals …

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 …

Heinrich Bullinger on the Purity of the Apographa

“Also the books of Moses and the prophets through so many ages, perils, and captivities, came sound and uncorrupted even until the time of Christ and his apostles. For the Lord Jesus and the apostles used those books as true copies and authentical; which undoubtedly they neither would, nor could, have done, if so be …