Tagged: memory verse

“We thank God constantly that in receiving His message from us you took it, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.” –1 Thessalonians 2:13 The preaching of Paul and Silas at Thessalonica was taken “not as the word of men, but…the word of God” (1 Thes 2:13). Paul said: “Our preaching of the gospel proved not a mere matter of words for you but one of power; it was carried on in the Holy Spirit and out of complete conviction” (1 Thes 1:5). The Thessalonians’ faith in God was celebrated throughout every...

“Do you believe just because…” –John 1:50 “When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, He remarked: ‘This man is a true Israelite. There is no guile in him’ ” (Jn 1:47). Nathanael asked Jesus, “How do You know me?” (Jn 1:48) This is a revealing response. The typical response to a total stranger would be to ask: “How do you know this information about me?” Yet Nathanael asked: “How do You know me?” The brief encounter between Nathanael and Jesus resulted in a supernatural knowledge, a binding of hearts, a joining of the divine and the human. Nathanael (Bartholomew) had...

“As the Church submits to Christ, so wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” –Ephesians 5:24 This Scripture passage is among the most misunderstood in the Bible. Submission is an unpopular word in our contemporary culture. In the Bible, however, submission is highly valued. It is Jesus’ position on the cross (see Phil 2:8). Submission is the way of redemption and the power of God. It is not a position of weakness; rather, it is one of supernatural strength. Submission is not passivity; it is an active, loving obedience even in disagreement. We must submit to the Lord, His...

“The scribes and the Pharisees have succeeded Moses as teachers; therefore, do everything and observe everything they tell you. But do not follow their example.” –Matthew 23:2-3 At times, people belong to churches where pastors, priests, and ministers do not live holy lives. Some pastors have not even turned their lives over to Jesus. Some stifle the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19) and are even unknowingly used by Satan. What do you do under these circumstances? Do you leave the church? No, you don’t leave the body because of one part. Your pastor needs love and respect. Give him God’s kind...

“The second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments the whole law is based, and the prophets as well.” –Matthew 22:39-40 The second commandment and part of the basis for the whole Christian life is: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:39). Only by inviting neighbors to give their lives to Christ can we truly love them. A total commitment to Jesus is the greatest need of a human person, for without Jesus we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). Therefore, if we fail to share Jesus with our neighbor, we are...