“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought…
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done” 1 Chronicles 16:8 David, the new king, acts as a priest by blessing and ministering to the congregation of Israel. The basis for this joyful worship was particularly God’s rescuing His people from slavery and giving them the…
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…” Hebrews 12:28 The earth shook at Mount Sinai during Jesus’ crucifixion. The earth and heaven will shake in the latter days. But the kingdom of God will not be shaken, for…
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 “Christ Jesus as Lord” is a phrase that would have reminded the readers of the earliest Christian baptismal…
“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge…” 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 “Grace” is God’s generous mercy toward undeserving people. God’s free and undeserved favor toward sinful humanity is demonstrated…
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed” means “happy” or “blissful” having…
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 “Sanctify” means “to set apart.” God sets His people apart from the world by means of His Word. All Christians are “holy” or “set apart” before God through Baptism. However, a few Christians, such as the apostles and prophets, are “set apart” for…
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 “A lamp … a light” are metaphors that reveal the use of God’s Commandments to teach us, to show us the good way to go. The Law shows us a way of life; while, Jesus, the Word and the Way…
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes” … Psalmist asks that God would enlighten his eyes to see the goodness that God declares, His goodness out of evil, and His mercy from His Law. Paul prays similarly for the Ephesians (Eph 1:18). I am a…
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 “Suffered once for sins” may need a little explanation. Our sufferings and good works do not atone for our sin; Christ…