How do we deal with self-confidence as we trust in the Lord?
Our world rewards self-confidence. The pervasive belief is that we should rely on ourselves at all times—we should be strong, aggressive, go after what we want. Our needs and our wants are our most important consideration. We should be able to handle our lives by ourselves, and if we can’t, we are considered to be [...]
Who is Jesus referring to when in John 10:8 he said, "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers." (Parable of the Good Shepherd)
John chapter 9 opens with an account of Jesus restoring vision to a man who had been blind since birth (John 9:1-7). Afterward, the man’s neighbors question him. The man tells his neighbors that Jesus healed his blindness (John 9:8-12). The neighbors take the man to a group of the religious leadership of the time [...]
What is the book of Galatians about?
When Paul was converted to Christianity, he was given the commission by Jesus to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). To fulfill this calling, Paul journeyed to many areas of Asia Minor and Greece, including through the Roman province of Galatia in what is now Turkey. Within Galatia were a number of cities [...]
When Jesus said, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:40), what did he mean by the "Law and the prophets"?
Understanding that the proper time had arrived in God’s plan, Matthew chapter 21 chronicles how Jesus arranged his entry into Jerusalem in a manner which identified him as the Messiah prophesied in Scripture (Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-9). Once in the city, Jesus began publicly interacting with the people. These actions quickly drew the attention of [...]
Who are the beasts of Revelation 13?
To understand the book of Revelation, it is important to compare it with the Book of Daniel. Taken together, the symbolism comes to life.Daniel shows us that empires, or civil powers, are pictured as beasts. Daniel 7:17, “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.” This type [...]
What happened with Jesus, Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman?
What happened with Jesus, Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman? This is a wonderful lesson about the importance of faith, humility and forgiveness. Jesus' mercy and compassion is contrasted by the self-righteous, judgmental attitude of the Pharisees.The Pharisees were the religious teachers of the Jewish Law. Many of them were prideful, thinking they [...]