The New Testament defines neighbor and neighbors as those within walking distance who are part of God’s family. The Good Samaritan proved to be a neighbor to the one in dire straits. Those invited to a feast were not rich neighbors. The were the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind. Check the links … [Read more…]
Fence sitting Christians are in trouble but Jesus is merciful. He says help them, for He will not break off a broken reed or quench a smoldering wick. Love them in word and deed. Nurture them with words of comfort and edification. Speak forth blessings to them that the eyes of their hearts would be … [Read more…]
Writing to believers, Peter urges: “Let yourselves be built as a spiritual temple” (1 Pe 2:5). He leads up to this beginning his letter by blessing God for His work of salvation that culminates with receiving the inheritance stored up for us in heaven (1 Pe 1:4; Mt 25:34). Peter continues with a call to … [Read more…]
Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 23-24 (Christ the King, 2011) “Jesus is our Shepherd-King” What makes a good king good? You may remember that the Lord warned Israel against having a king. He knew that earthly kings would tax their pocket books. He warned that earthly kings would take their sons to empirical wars. A scepter in … [Read more…]
Jesus is our Good Shepherd Jesus revealed His mission as Shepherd and God revealed Him as King. Jesus is the Good Shepherd Jesus. addressing the Pharisees, who professed to be the guides or shepherds of the people, gave them this parable regarding shepherds. I’m the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for … [Read more…]
The LORD poured out many blessings on the children of Israel. The biggest was putting His name on them. All blessing of God is included in His name. It is the impress of His being. The priests of the Old Covenant lifted their hands toward the people and transmitted the divine power of the LORD’s … [Read more…]
New Beings in Christ In order to make us new beings fit for the kingdom of God, God has created in Christ Jesus and cleansed by His blood. Being created in Christ Jesus is an instantaneous salvation process. Paul summed it up in his letter to the Ephesians. And you were dead in your trespasses … [Read more…]
Relating with others in accord with Jesus’ word in Matthew 18 was basic training His disciples for their future role as apostles and our role as saints. Jesus gave His disciples and us very specific instructions on how to relate in harmony. God has made all believers kin—His children and heirs. Here, Jesus tells us … [Read more…]
During His 3 years of ministry on this earth, Jesus preached the kingdom and taught the relational characteristics and heart attitudes of the kingdom. Yet, even with the help of the Holy Spirit, seeing the big picture of the kingdom of God is difficult. Consequently, the church focuses on the King and neglects His kingdom … [Read more…]
Jesus was and is full of grace and truth. Out of His fullness, we received grace in place of grace already given. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. … [Read more…]