The Word of God has a unique place in God’s dealing with man. The Bible describes itself in certain ways that help us understand this unique relationship. Some of these descriptions are in word pictures. They help us to understand the special place the Bible has in the estimate of God.
For example, the Psalmist … Read the rest
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
John devotes more space to the trial of Jesus before Pilate than in the other gospels (John 18:28—19:16). We find Pilate unable to make a decision in favour of Jesus and yielding to the unjust demand of the Jews, “Crucify! Crucify!”
In spite of certain … Read the rest
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
A discouraged Peter goes out to fish and he was able to persuade six other disciples to go with him. That night they caught nothing. Soon, Jesus standing on the shore tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. Then … Read the rest
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
John 15:1
Israel the Vine and Jesus the True Vine
Jesus is speaking about the intimate union we can have with him. In a theological sense, Israel was the vine that God had planted (see Isaiah 5:1—7). But it continually failed to witness to God … Read the rest
Who Is Responsible?
Who is responsible for your actions? You can say others encouraged you to do wrong. Of course they might have motivated you. But then the ultimate responsibility for your action is yours alone.
Judas Iscariot faced this bitter truth.He said, “I have sinned for I have betrayed innocent blood.” Saying so he … Read the rest
Forgiving someone is one of the hardest things to do. Preaching about it is very easy though. Yet when we try to forgive someone who has wronged us badly we feel an intense battle in our heart. So it is clear that we need God’s grace to forgive others.
One of the things that prevent … Read the rest
Speak to Aaron and say to him, “When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand” (Numbers 8:2 NIV).
A Christian is called to shine. But he has no light of his own. Instead he is given the ability to shine. It comes from above, from … Read the rest
And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return” (Judges 6:18b NIV).
It is surprising to note God’s choices. He chose many who were not confident about themselves. He chose those who were afraid to step out. But he made leaders of such stuff as these.
Even today he continues to do so. You … Read the rest
He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful (Isaiah 30:23a NIV).
This is a promise which should put hope in the heart of all sowing God’s Word. Many times you might have been discouraged seeing no … Read the rest
After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking” (Genesis 24:19 NIV).
Did not Jesus talk about going the second mile (Ref. Matthew 5:41)? What did He mean by that? Will it profit us to observe it? Meditating on the verse above might … Read the rest
Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give them–to the Israelites (Joshua 1:2 NIV).
The first instruction after Moses was dead was: “Get ready.” The Promised Land had to be conquered. The people were told to … Read the rest
You are my witnesses (Isaiah 43:10a NIV).
God repeats this statement in quick succession twice (Isaiah 43:12 and 44:8). That means God meant it to be taken very seriously indeed. So what does it mean?
First of all it means that you need to have an intimate knowledge of God. This is important because no … Read the rest
The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites … ” (Deuteronomy 1:6, 7a NIV).
Achievers for God don’t sit still for ever. They press forward. They do not make victories an occasion for rest. But … Read the rest
“Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin (Isaiah 30:1 NIV).
Alliances play an important role in life. They can help you or cause your ruin. So one should enter into alliances very … Read the rest
Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly … (Numbers 32:11a NIV).
Half-heartedly following God is dangerous. It causes you to have puny (small and weak) faith. It cannot take God at His word and act on what He has commanded. I
t looks at obstacles and trembles in fear instead of looking at a big … Read the rest
At that time gifts will be brought to the Lord Almighty … the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the Lord Almighty (Isaiah 18:7 NIV).
Is God in need of gifts from men? Certainly not. For God says, “The world is mine and all that is in it” … Read the rest
So Huram finished all the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of the Lord (1 Kings 7:40b NIV).
God places great importance to the completion of a work undertaken. This is especially true when it is a work for the Lord. The kingdom of God has suffered much because many thousands … Read the rest
… Read the restAfterward, Joshua read all the words of the law–the blessings and the curses–just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, the aliens who lived among them
Instead of carrying out your duty in regard to my holy things, you put others in charge of my sanctuary (Ezekiel 44:8 NIV).
Evasion of responsibility is not good. It becomes doubly sinful when you evade a God-given responsibility. Added to that when you put others who have no relation to God in charge of … Read the rest
So he did what the Lord had told him (1 Kings 17:5a NIV).
God will provide. Even though it is true, there is more to be said about it. God’s provision becomes visible and reachable to those who do what the Lord tells them to do.
Let us look at Elijah. He was a mighty … Read the rest
Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders (Numbers 13:2 NIV).
God sends us to explore only those things that He has already given to us. That means that even though it is not in our hands now, … Read the rest
She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs (Joshua 15:19 NIV).
God has given us all a measure of talents and wisdom and ability. They are like the field that Acsah got, … Read the rest
Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the Lord has given them? (Numbers 32:7 NIV).
Nearly every believer goes through discouragement at one time or the other. It can happen due to a variety of reasons. One of them is dealt with here.
The cause of this kind of discouragement … Read the rest
Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites; for he was as zealous as I am for my honor among them, so that in my zeal I did not put an end to them (Numbers 25:11 NIV).
Four things emerge from this incident.
The most … Read the rest
This is what the Lord says to the house of Israel: ‘Seek me and live’ (Amos 5:4 NIV).
God’s message to you is very simple: “Seek Me and live.” You are left in no doubt about this. It is not religious experiences that you should seek. It is not places of pilgrimage that you should … Read the rest
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” (Psalm 29:9 NIV).
The voice of the Lord resounds with absolute power. This psalm describes this power and its effects on earth. His voice is terrifying.
It is majestic.
It sounds like thunder.
It inspires … Read the rest
But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible (Numbers 7:9 NIV).
The context here is the offering of six covered carts and twelve oxen by the leaders of the people at the time of the dedication of the … Read the rest
… Read the restTell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give… Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you (Exodus
Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down (Leviticus 9:22 NIV).
Aaron and his sons were ordained as priests to serve before the Lord. They were anointed with oil and also sprinkled by the blood of … Read the rest
Then they said to each other, “We are not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace” (2 Kings 7:9 NIV).
Four lepers from the Israelite camp … Read the rest
