In Isaiah 40 the prophet has been speaking of God’s promised comfort in vv. 1-11. God was not done with his people and he would not leave them in exile. He would forgive them, restore them, and even commission them to proclaim his good news of salvation! And to assure us of his power to […]

What comes to mind when you think about God? Do you begin with who he has revealed himself to be, or with your own ideas or preferences? The truth is, how we understand the person and character of God is the most important thing about us. We need to see God for who he truly […]

Throughout the Bible, God often gave his rebellious people powerful reminders of his holiness through judgment. For instance, after Aaron and his sons were set apart as priests, Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire and were consumed. Why? The word of the Lord after their death says it all: “Among those who are near me […]

As the Passover drew near, the chief priests and the scribes were plotting to destroy Jesus. But most tragic of all, “Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot,” who decided to betray him (Luke 22:3-4). Judas, being disillusioned and disappointed by Jesus, being controlled by the love of money the cares of this world, and being […]

The incident of Jesus remaining in the temple gives us a unique look into his life as a young boy. Not only do we observe Jesus fully dedicated to the will of his heavenly Father, that he “must” be in his house (Luke 2:49), but we also see him in submission to his earthly parents: […]

Leadership in the kingdom of God is not just for the pastor.  Each member of the body, as they are continually involved in the church and growing in their faith, should at some point begin to transition from being merely a pew warmer into being involved in some aspect of kingdom service, regardless of what imperfections they think […]