B.O.L.D. Holiness

By |Categories: 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Luke, Messages|Tags: |

What do you think of when you hear the word, “holiness”? Do you picture angels with harps? Do you have a vague image of Old Testament priests in the Temple? Do you think, “Holiness is for Super Saints like Mother Theresa and Billy Graham…” Do you groan inwardly and think, “Holiness Again? Time to tune out…” Does hearing the word “holiness” make you feel a little guilty? Maybe you find yourself thinking, “I’ve tried but [...]

Easter Series: He is Risen!

By |Categories: 1 Corinthians, Articles, Luke, Matthew, Series: Easter|Tags: , , |

There’s a difference between knowing… and knowing. The disciples knew that Jesus was going to be raised up on the third day. He had told them so. He had explained it in so many words. But they just didn’t get it. Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. [...]

Easter Series: Jesus at the Cross

By |Categories: Articles, John, Luke, Matthew, Series: Easter|Tags: , , |

It began with the scourging. The Romans were experts at devising torture. A scourge was not just a whip; it was designed to dig into and tear up the flesh. The scourging Jesus received was so severe that He was unable to carry His own cross to His execution (Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). And crucifixion was more than just a public execution. It wasn’t relatively quick like a hanging or beheading or lethal injection. Crucifixion [...]

A God Rich in Mercy

By |Categories: 1 Chronicles, Articles, Luke, Psalms, Series: Nature of God|Tags: , |

David said to Gad, “I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man.” (1Chr. 21:13) What does mercy mean to you? Noah Webster described mercy as, That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that [...]

Advent Series: Shepherds

By |Categories: Articles, Luke, Series: Advent|Tags: |

As I was thinking this morning about the shepherds, an image of Charlie Brown’s Christmas came to mind, particularly the scene where Linus explains to Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about. Linus walks center stage with his blanket, and recites Luke’s account of angels announcing the good news of the Savior to shepherds out in the fields: Luke 2:8   And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over [...]

Advent Series: Bethlehem

By |Categories: Articles, Luke, Matthew, Micah, Series: Advent|Tags: |

Pictured: A middle-eastern sheepfold. Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth… When we think of Bethlehem, we think of the manger. We think of Mary and Joseph traveling from their home in Nazareth while Mary was heavy with child. We think of their arrival in Bethlehem to find no room for them because of the crowds arriving for the [...]

A Fragrant Aroma

By |Categories: 2 Corinthians, Acts, Articles, Ephesians, Exodus, John, Luke|Tags: , , |

Have you been with Jesus? In the Book of Acts we are told that when the leaders and elders of the Jews heard unschooled, ordinary Peter speak, they were amazed and they recognized that he had been with Jesus. Was it because Peter had learned to carefully repeat the words of Jesus? No, it was because Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. The very presence of God was with Him. (Acts 4:5-13) The Apostle [...]

Thank • ful

By |Categories: 2 Timothy, Articles, Leviticus, Luke|Tags: , , , |

THANK'FUL, adjective Grateful; impressed with a sense of kindness received, and ready to acknowledge it. [Webster’s 1828 dictionary] Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, walking between Samaria and Galilee. When He entered a certain village, ten leprous men approached and shouted out to him for mercy–keeping their distance as their illness required. Jesus looked at them and spoke, telling them to go and show themselves to the priests. According to the Law of Moses, [...]

Whatever is Not From Faith

By |Categories: Articles, Luke, Romans|Tags: , , |

In Romans chapter 14 (see also 1 Corinthians 8), Paul talks to the believers about their differing convictions. Because the meat they could purchase in the marketplace often had been sacrificed in pagan temples, some of the believers had chosen to avoid meat altogether and eat only vegetables. Others chose to eat the meat, knowing the many “gods” were not real gods and that there is only One True God and therefore meat is just meat. [...]

The Decisive Battle

By |Categories: 1 John, Articles, Luke, Matthew|

The decisive battle for salvation was won at the cross. But the decisive battle for the cross was won at Gethsemane. Each of the four gospels describes Jesus’ time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew, Mark and Luke all focus on Jesus agonizing over what He was about to face (Matt 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46). Being a physician, Luke describes in clinical detail the physical manifestation of the emotional and mental agony [...]

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