“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 Joshua’s…
“…he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” Ephesians 1:9-10 “The mystery” is not a puzzle to solve, or knowledge…
“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 The letter is a reference to the old covenant … that is, the Ten Commandments, written on stone. “Ministers” is a Greek word meaning “slave”…
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1 God has ordained that there should be “governing authorities”, and every believer is to be subject to these various authorities, even if these authorities are…
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 “But you” … these words provide a direct contrast to the previous verse, a contrast between those who believe…
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” Ephesians 1:18 “Eyes of your heart may be enlightened” … physicians in ancient times believed that the eye had a…
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.: Ephesians 2:8-9 “By grace” indicates God’s generous mercy toward the undeserving. Christians have been saved by grace. The grace of God is the source…
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 “Brothers” is a term not exclusive to men; it includes all siblings. An affectionate greeting (used 10 times in Romans) showing Paul’s…
“For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.’ And this is the Word that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 The term “flesh” simply means our unredeemed existence. Bodily life…
“…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20 Here “foolish talk” (from earlier in verse 4) is replaced by wholesome words of…