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Moses – Mighty Prophet of Many Seasons (1 of 9)

Focus Text: Deuteronomy 18.15-22

A lengthy but essential reading begins our individual profiles of the prophets. This reading involves the first writing prophet that one encounters as he/she picks up the Bible and begins to read. Here is that reading: "The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, according to all you desired of the LORD your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my…  ( Click for more )

Introduction to the Prophets 4 of 4

Focus Text: Revelation 22.8-10

The men whom the Bible calls prophets are directly responsible for the writings which all believers hold dear. These writings are distinct from every other class of literature in that they reflect the actual words of God delivered through the prophets; collectively these writings comprise THE Word of God. The final biblical reference to the prophets and their work is contained in the final chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22) and it is the basis from which we began this study. A review of our observations…  ( Click for more )

Introduction to the Prophets (3 of 4)

Focus Text: Revelation 22.8-10

"Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.’ And he said to me, ‘Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.’" (Revelation 22.8-10).

The angel and prophet of…  ( Click for more )

Introduction to the Prophets 2 of 4

Focus Text: Revelation 22.8-10

Contemplate the angel’s statement to John: "For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book." (Revelation 22.9). It is especially interesting that the angel declared that he and John both belonged to the class or group of creatures styled as prophets; John was a prophet and the angel was a prophet. At least this phrase means that both John and the angel functioned in the same role as prophets of God; this expression may mean…  ( Click for more )

Introduction to the Prophets 1 of 4

Focus Text: Revelation 22.8-10

"Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.’ And he said to me, ‘Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.’" (Revelation 22.8-10).

If one were to remove every…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Jude

Focus Text: Jude 1.25, James 3.13-18, & Ephesians 3.8-12)

The wisdom of the Father is no more or less than the wisdom of the Son; they are one in essence and hence, one in wisdom. Jude refers to God as the only wise God, that is to say, the one who is unique in wisdom when compared to every other living being. James refers to Him as the source of all true wisdom and hence the cause of all that is good and honorable in the works of man. Paul addresses the wisdom of God in a completely different light and we now turn our attention…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Jude

Focus Text: Jude 1.25 & James 3.13-18)

The meekness of wisdom was and is a living attribute of Jesus Christ. It typified His existence here during His earthly ministry and it typifies His existence now. As Savior and Intercessor, we may be assured that He yet maintains this characteristic as He watches over us and our day to day circumstances. He knows what is best for us even when we don’t know and that because of His wisdom and the meekness that springs from that wisdom. Our duty and our challenge is to increase…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Jude

Focus Text: Jude 1.25 & James 3.13)

"To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1.25). "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. (James 3.13). "The meekness of wisdom" will be our focal point in this message. In this figure, meekness is spoken of as if it belonged to wisdom; actually, meekness is a product of wisdom and a faithful companion. Note how meekness…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Jude

Focus Text: Jude 1.25 & James 3.13-18)

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Jude

Focus Text: Jude 1.25

This miniseries began as follows: "To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen." (Jude 1.25). Jesus, our Savior, is God. In order for any being to be appropriately called God, he must possess all the attributes of Deity – no exceptions. While engaged in His earthly ministry, Jesus possessed all the attributes of Deity. He possessed these same attributes prior to His earthly ministry and He possessed all of these same attributes after…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Jude

Focus Text: Jude 1.25

As touching the Deity of Christ, John summarized the purpose of his gospel account by writing, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20.30-31). Note carefully the phrase, "…and that believing you may have life in His name." (emphasis mine; jb). We presently focus our attention…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Jude

Focus Text: Jude 1.25

The last paragraph in yesterday’s LITTLE LIFT read as follows: "The child born to the virgin [Mary] was Jesus, He was Christ, He was Savior, and He was Immanuel (God with us). If no other passage could be presented, these sustain the proposition that Jesus, Our Savior, Is God. However, there are scores of other passages which teach the same truth. The sum of God’s word is truth (Psalm 119.160 ASV) and our job is to add it up correctly. Jesus, Our Savior, Is God!" Today’s message…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Jude

Focus Text: Jude 1.25

Yesterday’s message included the following statement in the opening paragraph: "While engaged in His earthly ministry, Jesus possessed all the attributes of Deity. He possessed these same attributes prior to His earthly ministry and He possessed all of these same attributes after His ministry. Jesus, our Savior, was, is, and always shall be fully God." Concerning Jesus, the Samaritan woman asked THE crucial question when she asked, "Could this be the Christ?" (John 4.29). Today, we…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Philemon

Focus Text: Philemon 1.14

"But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary." (Philemon 1.14). Notice that Paul classed what Philemon was being asked to do (namely, to allow Onesimus to remain with Paul and assist him in his work) as a "good deed." Further, note that it was Paul’s desire that Philemon receive "credit" for the deed though his consent. Paul implied that had he constrained Onesimus to remain and help him, Philemon would not be credited…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Philemon

Focus Text: Philemon 1.11

A leopard can’t change its spots but what has that to do with human beings? God is a God of second, third, and fourth chances! Thankfully, He is not like we are in that His patience and mercy is virtually inexhaustible. Consider the need for second chances as you consider the case of Onesimus, a runaway slave.

Concerning Onesimus, Paul told Philemon that he "…once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me." (Philemon 1.11). The very word Onesimus means profitable…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Philemon

Focus Text: Philemon 1.17

What right had Paul to speak to Philemon as he did? What special relationship existed that allowed Paul to appeal as he did to the heart of Philemon? Wasn’t the matter of slavery just a business matter which should have dealt with outside the context of emotions and strictly according to the business principles that prevailed?

First, hear Paul’s admonition to Philemon regarding the return of Onesimus: "If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me." (Philemon 1.17).…  ( Click for more )

Some One Chapter Blessings – Philemon

Focus Text: Philemon 1.8-10

As an apostle of Christ, Paul had more authority (power) at his disposal than any person now living! He could heal the sick, cast out evil spirits, strike certain people blind (such as Elymas the sorcerer), and even raise the dead (see Acts 9.12; 13.11; 20.9-12). Yet to Philemon, he wrote, "Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you…" (Philemon 1.8-10). In spite of his tremendous authority, Paul refused to…  ( Click for more )

"Therefore, Receive Him, that is, My Own Heart"

Focus Text: Philemon 1.10-12

This one chapter book was written to Philemon. Paul was the immediate author, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Onesimus was a slave who had run away from his master Philemon. However, the heart of Onesimus had been touched by the gospel and the heart of Paul had been touched by Onesimus. Because of these events, Paul wrote to Philemon, "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am sending…  ( Click for more )

The Blessings of Faith, Hope and Love

Focus Text: 1 Corinthians 13.1-13

The three previous installments of Today’s Little Lift have treated the following topics: The Blessings of Faith, The Blessings of Hope, and the Blessings of Love. Today’s installment will be short and to the point. It is A Short Treatise on the Blessings of Faith, Hope, and Love.

For the first time in the history of this column, a guest writer’s words will comprise the majority (and the balance) of this [today’s] message. I do this because there simply is no way that…  ( Click for more )

The Blessings of Hope

Focus Text: 1 Corinthians 15.12-19

Hope may be defined as the reasonable expectation of something better. Hope is not a baseless wild dream, but is based upon evidence, and in a spiritual context, is based upon faith. Hope has the capacity to see men through the darkest of days if only a reasonable expectation of a brighter day awaits. Hope is the antithesis of despair and is always attended by a "can do" attitude, not because of the conditions that prevail now, but because of what we expect to exist in the future.

Paul, though frequently in…  ( Click for more )

The Blessings of Faith

Focus Texts: John 20.29-31

"Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20.29-31).

Before proceeding, mark it down: In the Scriptures there is no essential difference between the word faith (and…  ( Click for more )

God is LOVE (10 of 10)

Focus Text: John 14.21-24

On the night of His betrayal, Jesus told Jude [paraphrased], "I will love those who love Me and manifest Myself to them." (see John 14.21). He DID NOT mean that He would only love those who love Him, but He DID MEAN that He would only manifest Himself to those who love Him. Jude, hearing this statement, correctly inferred these truths when he said, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" (John 14.22). Before going any further in this devotional, think about what has just been stated:…  ( Click for more )

God is LOVE (9 of 10)

Focus Texts: John 14.21-24

God is love! Such is the explicit declaration of the scriptures (see 1 John 4.8, 16). The world does not understand nor appreciate that love. To the masses that love seems almost as if it is a foreign language spoken to confuse; when confronted with the love of God, they do double takes and struggle to keep their balance! Why can the world not, at least in part, comprehend and appreciate the love of God? We address this question as we complete this mini-series.

On the night of His betrayal, an interesting exchange…  ( Click for more )

The Grace of God (5 of 8)

Focus Verses: Titus 2.11-14

"…[W]e should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2.12-13). The grace of God that brings salvation teaches the believer a number of things, among them how we ought to look for the second coming of Jesus and the things that will accompany His return. Our focus today will be to look at the phrase "the blessed hope" as it appears in the quoted verse.

Hope is born of grace. To say it another…  ( Click for more )