Your Bible reading habit (or lack thereof) won’t increase or decrease God’s love for you. But your spiritual discipline will very much affect the warmth of your heart toward truth. Your devotion to Scripture will very much impact your delight in the glories of Christ and the gospel.   The claim in my title might... Continue Reading

Drawing near to God was only possible in a limited, cultic fashion under the Old Covenant, but those who draw near to God through Jesus Christ and his saving work experience the fullness of what was promised in connection with the New Covenant (Heb. 10:14–18; 12:22–24). The “better hope” by which Christians draw near to... Continue Reading

Just as the sprinkling of blood sealed a particular people in the old covenant (Ex. 24:1–8), so here the inauguration of the new covenant requires Jesus to shed his blood for a particular people. That particular people is the “many” for whom Jesus gives his life as a ransom (Matt. 20:28). The combination of “many”... Continue Reading

Few things in life are as painful as watching a loved one drift away from Christ. Yet few things in life give as much pleasure as watching him or her return to Christ in repentance and faith — and to know you played a part. Don’t grow weary in doing such matchless eternal good; keep... Continue Reading

By taking a little time to read the text in question, it becomes obvious the passage isn’t referring to apostates. Rather, when you read the context, you discover that believers were being enticed to serve other gods, which would entail sacrificing children on an altar. Therefore, the passage isn’t about killing apostates, but about punishing... Continue Reading

Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs provide us a repertoire of biblical theology.  They enrich our worship of God and assist us with words we couldn’t otherwise bring to express our love and adoration to God.  They express our corporate and personal beliefs, convictions, and faith.  They allow us to actually say the name of Jesus in music.... Continue Reading

Contentment is the antidote to coveting. It is a state of heart and mind where we rest in God’s provision and plan for our lives. It acknowledges that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, has given us exactly what we need and that we require nothing more.    17 You shall not covet your... Continue Reading

Micah’s prophecy resounds with the hope of redemption and restoration. Both Isaiah and Jeremiah quote Micah to reiterate his prophetic promise that even though “Zion shall be plowed as a field” and “Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,” nevertheless “in the latter days” the “mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established”... Continue Reading

Isaiah 7:9b as follows, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” This is a call for Ahaz—and us—to believe and to trust God. It is a call to put away the fear and anxiety and to “be careful, be quiet, not fear, and not let your heart be... Continue Reading

Jesus’ body was removed from the cross on Wednesday just before the High Sabbath began on Thursday.  Jesus Died on Wednesday night, and He was in the tomb Thursday through Saturday night, which was three full days, and He rose from the dead early Sunday morning.  Jesus was the “Passover Lamb” who died for the... Continue Reading