Tagged: Bible Study

“Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see.” –Hebrews 11:1 We are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). “All depends on faith, everything is grace” (Rm 4:16). Therefore, faith in the Lord is absolutely necessary. However, this presents a problem because we are lacking in faith (see Mk 4:40). Jesus asks: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?” (Lk 18:8) We must cry out to the Lord: “I do believe! Help my lack of faith!” (Mk 9:24, our transl.) “Faith is confident assurance”...

“[You] joyfully assented to the confiscation of your goods, knowing that you had better and more permanent possessions.” –Hebrews 10:34 Imagine that somebody not only steals your stuff, but confiscates it, that is, he legally “steals” your possessions by a power squeeze and then openly and blatantly keeps it for himself. In our modern society, people would expect you to go to court and sue the confiscator to get back your possessions. If that was not possible, society would expect you to try to exact revenge by whatever means possible. Instead, you publicly rejoice and praise God, saying: “Thank You,...

“We should not absent ourselves from the assembly, as some do, but encourage one another; and this all the more because you see that the Day draws near.” –Hebrews 10:25 When we gather in Jesus’ name, He has promised to be with us in a special way (Mt 18:20). In Jesus’ special presence, we are more deeply united with Him and with one another. In this deeper unity, we have greater knowledge of and openness to God’s will. Therefore, when we pray together, we express better the will of God, and our prayers are answered (Mt 18:19). In this great...

“You do not understand this parable? How then are you going to understand other figures like it?” –Mark 4:13 Jesus wants us to take ownership of our understanding of our faith. He wants us to ask questions as did the apostles (see Mk 4:10), to study, to probe deeply and persistently until we understand the meaning. Jesus tells parables so we might have the chance to ponder the Word, nourish it, and make it grow. When asked why He only taught the crowds in parables, Jesus quoted Isaiah 6:10 (see Mk 4:12). Jesus knows that the hearts of people in...

“Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to me.” –Mark 3:35 Jesus said that He came for division, to divide a family three against two (Lk 12:52). He meant that some family members would receive Him while others would reject Him, at least for a time. For those who love Jesus, love their families, and yet have been rejected within their families because of their love for Jesus, there is great pain. Yet Jesus offers the greatest consolation amidst this pain: by doing the will of God, we are adopted and transplanted into the family...