“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35 Confused by Jesus’ prediction of His death, the disciples return to a subject they know well, their own greatness. In the prior verses, Mark tells us the disciples chose…
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 God is spirit. Since God’s essential nature is spiritual, not material, it reinforces the teaching that people should worship with the inclinations of the heart and by faith. God is not limited by time and space. When people are…
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to…
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 Humble yourselves is the result of being laid low before God because of sin. “Lift you up” … after repentance comes God’s forgiveness, new life, and ultimately the crown of life. Jesus teaches that those who humble themselves before God will be…
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 Paul commands that we continually keep these virtues, which are fundamental ideals of life according to God’s design, in…
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 “You who live by the Spirit” could possibly refer to congregational leaders; however, all Christians have the Spirit, not just a select or…
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 “Any of you” in James refers to struggling Christians who are being called back to faithfulness by God. “Wisdom” is the ability to reach and implement proper decisions…
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask … seek … knock” … the disciples have previously…
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8 Humans cannot turn up their noses at God and expect to get by with…
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3 “Pure joy” means confidence based on the assurance of hope in Christ. The term “brothers and sisters” in this Book always refers to a Christian who is…