Matthew 9:18-34; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56 All three synoptic accounts record a harrowing act of intense effort made by a desperate woman to access the healing power of Jesus. The account manifests the requisite effort on the part of man to access what is obviously a gift. The nature of such effort is also demonstrated. …
Continue reading Facebook: Our Effort in Salvation
Acts 3 records the healing of the lame man who “laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful” (v. 2). Those who witnessed the lame man walking at the side of Peter and John were “greatly amazed” (v. 11). This opened a door of opportunity for Peter to speak about the Christ to the ones …
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“for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) This verse stands for the theme of the gospel. Jesus came to save sinners (cf. 1 Timothy 1:15). It provides great comfort to know our Creator is so concerned with our eternity. When Jesus entered flesh, He did …
Continue reading Facebook: Seeking is a Two-Way Street
While Paul waited for Silas and Timothy in Athens, “his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols” (Acts 17:16). To illustrate the state of that city, the Holy Spirit used the word, kateidōlos. The word is used only in this place. It means “utterly idolatrous” (Strong). Athens was “wholly given …
Continue reading Transcendence
In the first four chapters of Paul’s first Corinthian letter, he dealt with sectarianism and pride amongst his readers. Some were saying, “’I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ’” (1 Corinthians 1:12). In doing so they were exalting themselves above others. This caused strife, and …
Continue reading Received, Not Achieved
The earth rotates, revolves around the sun, and time continues. With the constant change in time there is a constant change in the events of life. These changes in life do not always work to our favor. In fact, the writer of Ecclesiastes explained, “I returned and saw under the sun that – The race is …
Continue reading Christians: Timeless Optimists
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) It is comforting to know that …
Continue reading Facebook: Not to Condemn, but to Save
The world is filled with differences among men – races, cultures, governments, values, etc. Despite all these there are shared things. Among these are the necessities of human life. No matter the race, culture, up-bringing, or values, each member of mankind has the dire need for water, food, and oxygen. Without these elements, among others, …
Continue reading Our Relationship with the Word of God
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (Psalm 136:1, NASB). Psalm 136 is a great manifestation of the constancy of God’s lovingkindness. The concept of “lovingkindness” (ḥeseḏ) denotes the condescension of the transcendent Creator to His creation in love, mercy, goodness, and loyalty in fulfilment of their needs (“mercy,” NKJV; “steadfast love,” ESV, RSV; “faithful …
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There is a vacancy within every man. A cavernous and frigid darkness once occupied with the Presence essential for life, yet emptied by free-will. A creation seen as good, dwelling with the Good (cf. Matthew 19:17), turned to the antithesis, betrayed by one “more cunning than any” (Genesis 3:1). He boasts liberty and offers pleasure while the …
Continue reading What Should I Speak?