“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8 “Like-minded” means have from a common faith in Christ. “Be sympathetic” is to have compassion for others. “Be compassionate and humble” is to not exalt oneself in pride but consider others as Christ did. Luther said, “Here…
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 In the midst of difficulties, in the midst of all situations, Christians are to rejoice. The joy of Christians is not based on agreeable circumstances, instead it is based on their relationship to God. Christians will face trouble in this world, but…
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 The words “lift up my eyes” dramatically picture an approaching traveler looking up to the hills of Jerusalem as he approaches for one of the festivals….
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 “Old age … gray hairs” indicates the Lord’s never-ceasing care. “I am He” is a description that…
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” Titus 2:2 “Older men”, by virtue of age and experience, serve as natural role models for younger men. People who reached age 80 were regarded as remarkable. The median age of death, according to inscriptions…
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground” Psalm 143:10 “Your good Spirit” is a rather unusual statement of praise to the person of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. “Lead me” … an early writer described it like this, “The Spirit…
“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:28 Paul was not content to see people born again. He took the responsibility of leading them on to maturity. He moved them from infancy to infantry. Spiritual babies have great…
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23 Christ promises that He and His Father will come to dwell in those who hear and believe His Word, and that He will send to them…
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And…
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14 Alone in prison and abandoned by many of his friends, Paul fondly…