“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13 The context is that salvation is fully revealed in Christ’s return, His second coming. “Alert and fully sober” indicates Peter’s concern here is spiritual…
“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17 God must do this through His means; we cannot deliver ourselves. “Seek justice … case…
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 The term “O mortal” means that Micah is directing each individual to the Word (Bible), where the Lord tells us in very…
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…” Titus 2:11-12 “Grace of God has appeared” means Jesus Christ is the living manifestation of God’s grace. God stepped…
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 This request for wisdom leads to a series of petitions, beginning with a true understanding of human life, that we realize how few are the days we actually have, and how we need to turn to God for security…
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 “In Christ” can mean “by or through Christ,” as the agent of our salvation. Christ is also the One in whom we find God’s gifts. We are baptized “into Christ” (as Galatians 3:26–27…
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 The world is further convicted of sin because it follows one who has been condemned … Satan, who has been judged, found guilty and…
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come…
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 “You who are weary and burdened” on the surface can describe the Jews, who were suffering under a load of religious responsibilities laid on them by priests, rabbis, scribes, and Pharisees. However, a deeper look indicates the…
“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits…” Psalm 103:1-2 “Praise “ (or bless) is to bestow ability for success” (from the greater person to the lesser) or “to praise a person’s ability for success” (from the lesser person…