Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“I for My part declare to you, you are ‘Rock,’ and on this rock I will build My church.” –Matthew 16:18 Jesus made Peter the head of the apostles. Did Jesus intend for someone to succeed Peter as the head of the apostles? The early Church believed Jesus wanted Peter to have successors, and they were in a better position to know Jesus’ will than we are. Moreover, there is no Biblical data to deny the continuation of Peter’s ministry as the head of the apostles. Why did Jesus tell the Church to choose successors to Peter? Although the Church...

“I am talking about those who are set upon the things of this world.” –Philippians 3:19 During their forty years in the desert, God accompanied the Israelites, dwelling in a tent called the Meeting Tent (see Ex 40:2). When it was time to journey on, the Lord rose in a cloud which hovered over the Meeting Tent. When the cloud moved, the people packed up the Meeting Tent and followed the cloud. When the cloud stopped, the people pitched the Meeting Tent, and God descended from the cloud to dwell in the Tent in the midst of the people (Ex...

“Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping Your statutes!” –Psalm 119:5 Is your Ash Wednesday Lenten resolve still firm or are temptations wearing down your self-denial? Our weak flesh is vulnerable to the relentless pressures of temptation. We desire to do what is right, but we don’t have the power (see Rm 7:18). Our old, sinful nature rebels against our new, redeemed nature. There’s a civil war raging inside us (see Jas 4:1). What wretches we are! (Rm 7:24) “Who can free” us? (Rm 7:24) Jesus has set us free (Jn 8:36). He freed us for...

“If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all My statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” –Ezekiel 18:21 Lent is a powerful call to repentance, and repentance is a matter of life or death. Therefore, Lent is a matter of life or death – everlasting life or the death of damnation. This Lent, many people will turn away from all their sins (Ez 18:21). This will be the Lent of a lifetime leading to the total love and perfect happiness of heaven. This...

“Help me, who am alone and have no help but You.” –Esther C:14, 25 We have been taught to always have something to fall back on. We have insurance, savings, a nest egg, or an ace in the hole. We avoid ever getting in the position where we would have to depend on God for our next meal. However, the Lord may be doing something almost the opposite of what we’re trying to do. He is trying to strip us and leave us with nothing but Him to depend on. For example, when He sent out His apostles on mission,...