For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:3-4).

Notice that there are some things the law cannot do. The law is totally powerless to save, justify, or redeem the sinner. The law knows only justice. Its demands … Continue Reading ››

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Light is a picture of the testimony of the believer and is a truth taught elsewhere in the New Testament. This verse from the Sermon on the Mount which Jesus preached is a key to this thought. In it we see the following three ideas: 1. THE SOURCE OF THIS LIGHT - … Continue Reading ››

"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (Psalm 50:15). The day of trouble comes to each and every life. What we do when trouble comes is a test of our character. Our gracious Lord invites every person to bring their burdens to Him. "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee" (Psalm 55:22). Notice how the words of this verse are centered on the Lord and … Continue Reading ››

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order for the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come" (I Corinthians 16:1-2).

Four characteristics of stewardship are found in this passage. These attributes underscore the importance of managing God's resources wisely.

1. It is periodic. Paul instructs the Corinthians to lay something aside on "the … Continue Reading ››

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8).

This verse literally means, "Be careful that you are not made rotten by high-sounding nonsense." Any knowledge that would take us away from our firm faith in the Word of God is nothing more than high-sounding nonsense. We are warned in Scripture of the things that will spoil us. For example, Colossians 2:4 says, "And this I say, lest … Continue Reading ››

"And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel" (Mark 5:20).

The man spoken of in this verse is the one we commonly refer to as "the maniac of Gadara," out of whom Jesus had cast a legion of demons. In the preceding verse (v.19), Jesus told this saved man to go home to his friends and tell them how the Lord had compassion on him and had done great things for him. … Continue Reading ››

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD" (Amos 8:11).

In July of 1886, the great Baptist preacher of London, Charles Spurgeon, introduced a sermon with an interesting story. During the infamous reign of the Roman emperor, Nero, a great famine threatened Rome. During the famine, many starving people would stand along the seashore, anxiously waiting for the merchant ships … Continue Reading ››

"And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh" (Genesis 22:14a). Of all the names of God found in Scripture, this is surely one of my favorites! "Jehovah-Jireh" means "the LORD will provide." God revealed Himself by that name way back in the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. It is found in Genesis 22, the account of Abraham and Isaac climbing a mountain in the land of Moriah, where Isaac was to be laid on an altar as a sacrifice to God. … Continue Reading ››

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2). In this beautiful psalm the soul of David is lifted up to God in gratitude. It is an expression of sincere praise to God for His grace, goodness, and mercy manifested toward His creatures everywhere. If we focus only on verse 2, we discover the following things: 1. IT IS PRAISE TO GOD - "Bless the LORD" The Lord gives … Continue Reading ››

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). Joy is a major theme of the book of Philippians. When you understand that Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned in Rome, it makes an even greater impact that Paul certainly practiced what he preached! What were some of the reasons Paul could be joyful even while experiencing such great difficulty? First, Paul … Continue Reading ››