“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 We are all part of God’s handiwork in His creation. Our “good works” are not the cause of our salvation, but its result. Judaizers threatened most early Christian communities, teaching that…
“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” Psalm 119:14 “Rejoice in following Your statutes” is the Psalmist’s confession that he takes more delight in the doctrines of God’s Word than he does in riches of the world. That which we have laid up in our hearts and upon which we…
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 The appearance and stature of Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab,…
“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 The “Word” is the Old Testament, since the New Testament was still being written, and the preaching and teaching of the Apostles. Believers who hear the Word of God must receive it with a teachable spirit and apply…
“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:114 This verse might make us think of dry, dead rules contained in God’s Word (the Bible) by which one has to live. Certainly, God’s Word proclaims rules for us to keep. However, Psalm119 repeatedly emphasizes that God gives…
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14, 16 Light is a universal symbol for what is beneficial to people. Jesus, the…
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 Basically, the Apostle Paul is saying that we strain against our own sinful nature and against the world and the devil, even while we are at peace under God’s promises and grace. “Goal”…
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” Hebrews 12:1 The “cloud of witnesses” refers to the people of faith mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 11….
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 This verse is not a definition of “faith”, but more of a description of what faith does. “Confidence” is a Greek term that describes something substantive, meaning essence or reality. Faith treats things hoped for as…
“I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” Psalm 119:60 The promise of this verse is the whole counsel of God’s Word and Law along with the certainty of His action. Here the Psalmist is undergoing mental anguish as he contemplates the fate of the ones who had forsaken God’s Law. For those…