Three times in Matthew 4:1-11 (our reading for today) Satan tempted Jesus. Three times his offer was refused, each time Jesus quoted Scripture as the reason, “it is written.” J. C. Ryle comments at Grace Gems: Here is one among many reasons, why we ought to be diligent readers of our Bibles. The Word is … More Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition.
I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High. —Psalm 7:17 ESV From The Treasury of David: To bless God for mercies is the way to increase them; to bless him for miseries is the way to remove … More Thankfulness for both mercies and miseries
Genesis 19:12-17 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” … More God pursues with amazing mercy
John Piper, in a sermon, “There is Salvation in No One Else” Peter pushed the universality of Jesus from the no-count town of Nazareth as far as it could be pushed. Jesus is absolutely unique. He is absolutely supreme among all the gods and lords of the world religions. Knowing him and believing on his … More One way
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3: 16-17 … More The Trinity: “let us save man.”
Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. (Psalm 6:4) C. H. Spurgeon comments in The Treasury of David: “Return, O Lord; deliver my soul.” As God’s absence was the main cause of his misery, so his return would be enough to deliver him from his trouble. “Oh save me … More An appeal to God’s mercies
R.C. Sproul says Genesis 15:17 is his all-time favorite verse… “When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. “ Hmmm…. There must be some mistake…. Really? Smoking fire pot? Really? Flaming torch? Let’s look at the context of the passage. … More A favorite Bible verse about a smoking fire pot?
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, (Acts 3:19-20 ESV) Today, in the readings from Matthew 3 and Act 3, we read the same call to … More Repent!
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance! Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God … More Sons of snakes and salvation of stones
Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. C. H. Spurgeon on prayer from The Treasury of … More Spurgeon: Two sorts of prayer
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 