Pastor Steven J. Cole concludes a sermon on 1 John 5:1-5 with this: The very first test given to a newborn in the delivery room is called the Apgar score. The test was designed to quickly evaluate a newborn’s physical condition after delivery and to determine any immediate need for extra medical or emergency care. … More What is your spiritual Apgar?
We read of a supper at Bethany, where Lazarus “sat at the table” among the guests–Lazarus, who had been publicly raised from the dead, after lying four days in the grave. No one could pretend to say that his resurrection was a mere optical delusion, and that the eyes of the bystanders must have been … More Optical delusion? J.C. Ryle on John 12
Dr. Kim Riddlebarger continues his commentary on Job, Chapter 16: As we see in verses 9-14, Job feels like God has turned against him. “God assails me and tears me in his anger and gnashes his teeth at me; my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes. Men open their mouths to jeer at me; … More The glowing embers of faith, the beginning of hope
Ezekiel 46:9 “When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, he who enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate, and he who enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: no one shall return by way of the gate by which … More Leave transformed
1 John 4:16-19 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he … More The basis for your confidence…
John 11:49-52 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being … More God used Caiaphas unwittingly without his brain
Dr. Kim Riddlebarger introduces the next section of Job, beginning with chapter 15: From the perspective of Job’s friends, the reason why Job lost all of his possessions, his children and his health is very simple. God is holy, therefore he must punish all sin. Since it is obvious that Job is being punished by God, there … More Job endures more speeches from his “friends”
From the ESV Online Study Bible: Clearly the return of God’s glory to the temple is one of the most dramatic moments in the book. His return here is the restoration counterpart to the departure in 10:18–22 and 11:23. It also brings completion to the temple tour: all that was lacking from this sacred space was … More The Return of God’s Glory
Steven J.Cole on Spiritual Discernment: Hence, John tells his beloved flock (1 John 4:1), “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Paul said a similar thing. After saying that we should “not despise prophetic utterances,” he added, “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which … More The basis for discernment
John 11:38-41 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to … More His almighty power was not meant to destroy man’s responsibility
