Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. —Acts 1:16 ESV John Piper, in a sermon, What Judas’s Death Teaches Us About the Spirit, tells of the invincible purpose of the Holy Spirit: God wants … More The invincibility of God’s purpose
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” … More The Great “I Am” is with us!
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. —Psalm 2:11 ESV Does this mean that our joy in the Lord is on shaky ground? Do we have reason to be afraid? This is not the only place in the Bible where we will see seemingly contrary commands. The Bible describes Christ’s … More Rejoice with trembling
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”—Genesis 3:1 ESV Contemplating a resolution for the New Year? Perhaps setting goal to read through your … More “Did God actually SAY…?”
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing … More More than a doctor
J.C. Ryle begins his commentary on Matthew 1: 1-17 this way- The Gospel of Matthew begins with a long list of names. Sixteen verses are taken up with tracing a pedigree from Abraham to David, and from David to the family in which Jesus was born. Let no one think that these verses are useless. … More Ryle: Nothing is useless in the Bible.
In the reading from Psalm 1 today, we are told that there is blessing for those who delight in God’s Word. “Blessed is the man who..his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” In verse 3, we read He is like a tree … More Our worst things are often our best things.
The opening words of the Bible: “In the beginning, God…” and then repeatedly, “And God said….” Here we are at the beginning of another year….. We are blessed with another year of God’s grace! God is at the beginning of it all. He is at the beginning of this year, too. And He speaks! He is a God … More Learning about a God who speaks
Genesis 24 tells a wonderful story of God’s providence and leading, bringing Isaac and Rebekah together through a faithful servant and some pretty amazing signs. Theodore Epp, of Back to the Bible, makes this interesting observation at the end of the very eventful chapter: Have you ever considered yourself so small in the sight of … More Isaac: A Common Man
You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. —Song of Solomon 4:7 In today’s reading, Solomon summarizes his impression of his bride by declaring that there is no flaw in her. Is love blind? Perhaps when we look through the eyes of love, we gain such a perspective. If we look at this passage from a spiritual … More Is love blind?
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 