Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. The third commandment forbids the misuse of God’s name. The name “Yahweh” is regarded by religious Jews to this day as so sacred that readers of the Hebrew Bible do…
Happy 4th of July and upcoming lessons
This weekend our nation celebrates its 244th birthday. Despite all her issues, the United States of America still stands as the greatest country on the face of the earth. How blessed we are to live in a land where we can freely assemble to worship and study God’s Word together. Let us pray fervently that…
The Second Command – Exodus 20:4-6
Exodus 20:4-6 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of…
Jude 22-23
Jude 22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude opens verse 22 by telling his readers to be merciful. Those who expect mercy must show mercy. A lot of us want mercy for…
The Ten Commandments
In giving the Ten Commandments to His people God acted as any good father would. He provided rules and guidelines that would enable His people to live lives of fulfillment and joy in the Promised Land. These boundaries would also protect His children from the dangers and harms that could befall them. God gave His…
Jude 16
In Jude 16, we again get a description of the fruit of the false teachers. Jude, inspired by God, lists 5 things that should stand out about these apostates. Jude 16 (NIV) These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. Jude 16 (NKJ)…
Forgiveness Among Christians: Luke 17:3-4
Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Why did they tell the Lord to increase their faith? The apostles needed increased faith because Jesus had just given them a radical teaching on forgiveness. Forgiveness is an essential part of a healthy Christian community and in Luke 17:3-4, as well as the…
Sources in Jude
Jude 9 (NIV)But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” This particular incident is not recorded anywhere else in Scripture. Moses’ death is recorded in Deuteronomy 34 but nothing is said about the incident…
What we can learn from the first century church
Acts 4:32-35 (NIV) All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy…
Freedom and Joy
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Jesus said in John 10:10 that he came that we may have life and have it to the full. It is a life of freedom and joy but how…