Focal Passage: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25 

It really is about the Name: When I read Isaiah 7:14 I am always intrigued by the way different people approach this amazing promise given by the prophet Isaiah. 

Many skeptics see this as a desperate attempt of the prophet to bring hope to the people of God when they were facing annihilation by the Assyrian armies.

When you consider that Isaiah’s son’s name had the meaning of “running toward destruction,” then one must really stand and take notice of a child being born that declares through His very name, “God is with us.” Can the birth and naming of a child turn around or defeat a pursuing army?  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 103:1-5, 8-13, 17-19 

The focal text for this study is Psalm 103:1-5,8-13,17-19. For so many believers, Psalm 103 expresses their deepest heartfelt gratitude toward God.  

When we consider the vast number of ways that God has expressed His love for us, it should compel us to bless the Lord with the entirety of our soul.  When I consider verses 1-5, my heart immediately goes to the many benefits that we receive because of God’s limitless grace. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” 

The central message of Psalm 103 is that we can’t begin to “bless” God enough for all that He has bestowed on us through Jesus Christ.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 138:1-8 

The focal text for this study is Psalm 138:1-8. David begins this amazing psalm to the Lord with a heart of praise and worship. John MacArthur states, “the psalmist moves from individual praise (vv. 1-3) to international praise (vv. 4-5) then finishes with invincible praise” (vv. 6-8). 

When a person really sees God in His majesty he should be moved to a posture of obedient worship. As I read verses 1-3, my mind went to Isaiah 6 with the prophet being ushered into the throne room of God. 

The reality of experiencing the presence of God in all of His holiness carried Isaiah to a place of absolute reverence (Woe is me.) to a position of unwavering obedience (Here am I Lord, send me).  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Exodus 3:1-6, 9-15 

In this text we find Moses who is in the middle of an identity crisis. He was once a prince in Egypt and is now a shepherd for someone else’s flock. He is watching over his flock, minding his own business and suddenly he encounters a burning bush. It is important to understand that this Scripture is not about the bush. 

This story is about an all knowing, all powerful, always present God that has chosen to come to a shepherd in the wilderness. 

It is about God speaking truth into someone’s life, not based on their position, but based on God’s person. There was a not so special place for shepherds in that day. They were not allowed to stay in the inns or eat in the village cafés because of their lowly occupation, yet God sought out Moses to represent Him.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 65:11-13 

What is the worst grade you ever made on a test? I had a friend in high school whose initials were CDF. He would joke that his report card was simply displaying the first letters of his names. 

I wonder how he would answer that question? Imagine you getting a test paper back from your teacher and written in red marker on the top right corner is a 10 percent. I’m sure that gives some of you straight A students anxiety just thinking about it. Even for the friend I mentioned earlier, a 10 percent on a test would be a disaster. 

Now, I encourage you to read Luke 17:11-19. Jesus healed ten lepers, only one returned to Him and gave Him thanks. If we were to grade the guys in this story, they’d get a 10 percent. Even while the vast majority did not come straight back to Jesus, that was His expectation.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: II Thessalonians 1:3-12  

If you can consider hell free from any pause in your spirit, doubt, or struggle then you might be doing so too flippantly. I feel small and insufficient when I consider a place of torment that people go to forever. If you feel the same way then we are in good company. Commenting on a passage in Matthew, David Platt writes, “If we’re honest, these truths about heaven and hell are a little overwhelming … We wonder, ‘Is it really true?’ ”

Pondering the reality of hell doesn’t carry with it an automatic “low view” of Scripture perspective. No, those who have a high view of Scripture, those who believe that the Bible is God’s Word are the ones who are going to struggle the most with the reality of a place of agonizing punishment that will never end. So let’s ponder together the reality of hell.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Matthew 7:13-23 

There are some scary words we hear in life, “license and registration (cops)” … “I’m calling about your latest tax return (IRS)” … “I’m sorry, our ice cream machine is down (McDonalds, always).” 

Warning: that will be the last humorous part of this article. What will be discussed from here on out is the most serious subject we can consider, eternal destiny. We must be sobered by, in my opinion, the scariest words in Scripture and they’re from Jesus Himself that people won’t hear in this life but the next one. He said, “Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me.’ ”  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Job 30:26-31, 42:1-6 

I am writing this article right after visiting a precious church member who seems to be nearing the end of a years-long battle with cancer. It wasn’t too long ago that I sat with this lady and discussed the next steps of her treatment confident that it would be effective. 

In the same room, in place of a comfy chair, she now inhabits a hospital bed, hardly able to talk, waiting to meet Jesus face-to-face. We prayed through Psalm 23 grateful for the promises of God. Yesterday, I started this article with a much different mindset than I have now. 

Suffering should not be approached as some ethereal idea to consider philosophically. Suffering is a universal reality that will confront all people in one way or another. After leaving a tearful husband by the bedside of his dying wife, I can’t help but write with a renewed sense of sober-mindedness (I Peter 1:13). I could give you a list of the reasons we suffer or explain the positive outcomes of enduring suffering faithfully but that wouldn’t seem fit for my own pastoral circumstances. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 10:22-26, 14:8-14 

I wonder to myself sometimes, “Why doesn’t God (insert miracle) to show that He is real, powerful, and loving.” Perhaps you have thought something similar? Then I’m reminded that there were people that were with Jesus, people who saw His power and heard His teaching firsthand who still rejected him. 

We can see this dynamic most profoundly in the Pharisees. Have you ever noticed how many of Jesus’ miracles are directly followed by an attempt by the Pharisees to trap or accuse Him? 

One of the most striking examples of this phenomenon is found in Matthew 12. You can read about Jesus healing a man with a crippled hand in verses 9-14.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 3:19-21, 8:31-36 

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. Part of this document reads, “All persons held as slaves are, and henceforth, shall be free.”

The opposing perspectives on slavery between the north and south is, in part, what led to the southern states to secede from the Union and a bloody, brutal war to break out. 

Until the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction, slaves were merely free by proclamation. In a practical sense, the liberty that so many longed for remained an elusive reality. 

The experience of freed slaves during this terrible time period in our nation’s history can represent what many Christ-followers experience today.  [Read more…]