“By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” And they discussed it … More I cannot….or I WILL not?
I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music. Psalm 101, in our reading plan for today, with help from Charles Spurgeon in the Treasury of David: God intermixeth mercy with affliction: he steeps his sword of justice in the oil of mercy; there was no … More God steeps his sword of justice in the oil of mercy.
Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.—from 1 Samuel 15-16, our reading for today John Piper, in a sermon, “The Pleasure of God in Obedience”, comments on 1 Samuel 15:22- … More God delights in obedience
We’ve come to 2 Corinthians 5 in our read-through-the-Bible plan. Here’s some insight to help: Coty Pinckney describes God’s solution to the sin problem, using an accounting analogy (2 Corinthians 5): But although God would be just to do away with every one of us, He chooses not to. He chooses to show His justice … More Debits and credits: An accounting lesson
Mark 11:12-14 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he … More Lessons from a fig tree
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his … More Do you notice the missionary spirit here?
From an article at Ligonier Ministries to help us with our reading for today, 1 Samuel 14: As we come to 1 Samuel 14, according to Matthew Henry, “we find that infinite power which works without means, and that infinite goodness which works without merit, glorified in a happy turn to [Israel’s] affairs, that still Samuel’s … More The Faith of Jonathan
“We have this treasure in earthen vessels (or clay pots!) to show us that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.” John Piper comments on 2 Corinthians 4, in our reading for today: Too many people say, “I’m so ordinary, so average and undistinguished. I can’t do anything significant.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 shows that … More Ordinariness is not a liability; it is an asset
Pastor Coty Pinckney in a sermon, “Jesus, the Perfect King”: Today we consider Mark 11:1-11, Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In this passage, Jesus clearly acts out his role as king. So we need to ask ourselves why does God ordain this? Why does God reveal Jesus to us as King? What are the parallels between … More Jesus clearly acts out his role as King
The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! —Psalm 99, in our reading plan today Spurgeon comments at The Treasury of David: He is great in the esteem of the gracious, great in his acts of mercy, and really great in himself: great in mercy, … More He is high above all the people
