Faithful to the End

Jesus is everything for believers. Paul reminds the believers in Colossae of all Jesus has accomplished for them, that Jesus is supreme over all! Jesus accomplished our redemption from sin and deserves to be worshipped by his people for his cross-work for them.  Paul writes to the church of Colossae to bolster their understanding and confidence in the supreme position, glory and sufficiency of Jes...

Psalm 98 - Believers should joyfully worship God for his gracious work on our behalf through Jesus.  The Psalms offer an incredible look at our great God: his faithfulness, his covenant love, his wisdom and power.  The Psalms offer amazing insights into the attributes of God. They also present to us the responses of humanity to God: thanksgiving, praise, worship, trust, obedience and even sorrow d...

Titus 2:11-14 Paul addresses the truths of grace. Grace is given to shape us and form us into the image of Jesus.  As Paul writes to encourage the pastor Titus serving the churches in Crete, Paul instructs him to set things in order and to appoint pastors in every town and congregation. Titus, as Timothy did in Ephesus, serves as a stabilizing influence and leader in the church on the island of Cr...

As Paul begins his letter to the church of Philippi, Paul first commends himself and Timothy to the church. Paul tells the Philippians that he has a deep affection and appreciation for them. Paul was thankful for them, his gratitude for them was based on their partnership in the work of the gospel. This partnership began the first day they turned in faith to Jesus. Paul acknowledges his affection...

As Mark continues, the prophetic words of Jesus at the last supper with his disciples now are fulfilled in the betrayal of Judas and the denial of Peter. Jesus endures the worst of betrayals from Judas, the betrayal of a follower, a disciple and a supposed friend. Once betrayed, Jesus endures an illegal trial before the Sanhedrin. During that trial, Peter denies Jesus, as Jesus told him he would e...

Genesis 46:28-50:26 As Genesis comes to a conclusion, the final days of Jacob and Joseph are addressed. Jacob is reunited with Joseph, he meets and blesses Pharaoh, adopts Joseph's two oldest sons (Manasseh and Ephraim), and blesses his 12 sons before he dies. In the ancient Near Eastern world, these kind of death bed communications from a patriarch were significant and binding for the family. The...

Mark 14:1-42 As the gospel of Mark continues, during the passion week, Jesus is rejected by the religious leaders, he is betrayed by Judas and is denied by Peter. Both the betrayal of Judas and denial of Peter are predicted beforehand. Jesus knew that he would be betrayed, he had already predicted it in  Mark 9:12 . Now seated with his disciples at the Passover celebration, he again states one wou...

Genesis 42:1-46:27 As the account of Joseph in Genesis continues, the 10 brothers of Joseph reenter his life and we see his response to them. Throughout the account, Joseph seems to be testing his brothers, as he seems to suggest (42:15-16). Often it is difficult and debated to understand what Joseph is doing and why he is doing it. In truth, this is not the point of this account. The point is cle...

Genesis 40-41 As the accounts of Israel continue in Genesis, the Joseph narrative turns now to the interpretation of dreams. First, in chapter 40, from prison, Joseph interprets the dreams of two high-ranking chiefs of Pharaoh. The cupbearer forgets Joseph once he is restored to his position. Two full years pass and Pharaoh has two dreams no one can interpret and the cupbearer remembers Joseph. Jo...

Mark 13:1-37 As Mark continues his gospel, Jesus and the disciples are leaving the temple. The disciples comment about the beauty of the stones of the temple and Jesus informs them that those stones will all "be thrown down." Once on the Mount of Olives, four disciples ask Jesus about the timing of these things. Jesus goes on to tell the disciples about the end of the age and the coming...

Genesis 37-39 As the account continues in Genesis, Joseph, the son of Israel emerges. He is just 17 years old, but he is already able to interpret dreams. His brothers hate him, consort together to kill him, but ultimately sell him into slavery. Judah, his older brother, the one who's line will produce the Messiah. He becomes thoroughly pagan, produces three sons, two are so wicked, Yahweh kil...

On Tuesday of passion week, Jesus again is at the temple. The religious leaders come to Jesus and challenge him on the source of his authority. Jesus first diverts their question by asking them about he authority of John the Baptist. He then tells them the parable of the wicked tenents. The religious leaders then ask Jesus three questions and Jesus follows with a question for them. This engagement...

Genesis33-36: As the accounts of Jacob and his life continue, we see the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau. Esau accepts the humble attempts of reconciliation from Jacob. Then the next account turns to the abduction and violation of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. Two sons, Simeon and Levi, deceptively lure Shechem and his people into a trap and kill all the men of the city. Jacob is then called by G...

Genesis 29-32: As we continue to the account of Jacob, again conflict is a significant element of his life. Throughout Jacob experiences the conflict with his wives, with Laban, with Esau and even wrestles with God. As human beings, conflict seems to be inevitable. As believers, we must put away selfish ambition that leads to bitter conflicts, and instead trust our wise and sovereign God who provi...

Genesis 25:19-28:22 As Genesis continues, we come to Jacob, the third patriarch on the list. The birth of the twin sons of Isaac begins this account of Jacob. Rebekah is overwhelmed by the turmoil in her womb while she is pregnant. God tells her she is carrying two nations and the older will serve the younger. Right away, Genesis describes the boys as grown and offers characteristics about them. T...

As Mark continues his gospel, Jesus offers his third and final prediction about his death to his disciples. They again, do not understand. Instead, James and John come to Jesus and request prominent positions in the kingdom. Jesus once again disciples his followers, instructing them on the true path to greatness - service. Service is not quoting mantras or touting the catch phrase "servant le...

Genesis 23:1-25:18 As Moses continues the account of the patriarchs in Genesis, we come to the deaths of both Sarah and Abraham and the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah. God is working in each scenario, while Abraham continues to show faith in God and in his ability to fulfill his covenant commitments to Abraham and his family. Througout this section, the faithfulness and covenant loyalty of God is c...

Often, a revolution is grounded in ideas, priorities that compete with the current, even accepted priorities of the culture. Here in Mark 10, Mark recounts three revolutionary ideas that characterize the kingdom of God and must characterize followers of Jesus. Here Jesus addresses marriage, humility and innocence, and finally confronts our human perceptions about wealth. These three kingdom priori...

Genesis 20-22: As Moses continues the story of Abraham, we again see the failures and successes of Abraham. First, he again calls Sarah his sister and she is taken. Then the son of promise - Isaac is born, but his son Ishmael and Hagar are banished by Sarah. Finally, the test of his life, God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Though very foreign to us, this fits into the ancient Near Eastern contex...

As Mark continues his gospel, he offers the second prediction from Jesus of his own death and resurrection. The disciples do not understand and Jesus continues to instruct them by offering three vital truths that all disciples should understand and live. These three lessons are essential for every follower of Jesus, in every generation. The first lesson is about greatness. Throughout his life, the...

Genesis 18-19: As the beginnings of the nation of Israel continue, the account of Abraham again connects to Lot. After an initial encounter between the Lord and Sarah, Abraham intercedes for Sodom. First the Lord again offers his promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah. Sarah is struggling to believe this, and laughs to herself. The Lord confronts Abraham about her laughing, declaring "Is anyth...

As Mark continues this important section of his gospel, leading to the triumphal entry, he offers the account of the transfiguration. The transfiguration occurs before just three of the disciples (Peter, James and John). They see the glory of Jesus, his majesty clearly on display and hear the affirmation of the Father for his Son. As they come down from this experience, the other disciples are str...

Genesis 15-17 As the account of Abram continues, we come to the seemingly impossible promises God is making to Abram. In chapter 15, we have the record of the covenant God makes with Abram, following his show of faith (15:6), which God considered right - meaning Abram responded by faith, he rightly responded to the promises of God. Abram believed that God was true, dependable, trustworthy and stea...

Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 In this amazing book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon addresses the frustrations and futility that we all feel in this life. This life, its pleasures and attractions cannot ultimately satisfy. As Solomon brings this wisdom writing to its conclusion, focusing readers clearly on God's will, God's plan and ultimately his priorities. This work by Solomon encourages both young and...

Christian parents are to make disciples of their children in the home. As Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he addresses his work among them as a mother and as a father. This picture reminds us of the role that Christian parents should have with their children. Christian parents are to gentle care for their children, to instruct them and guide them in their own discoveries of Jesus and ultimately...