Insights and Observations: “. . .For the due solemnization of the seventh month, the festal month of the year. For this purpose the people came from the cities and villages of Judea to Jerusalem, and assembled ‘in the space before the water-gate,’ i.e., to the southeast of the temple square.” – C. F. Keil The public reading of the Law was upon the hearts of God’s people and they compelled Ezra to fetch the Book and read it in the presence of the great assembly. From the morning until mid-day or from daylight ‘til noon, a spanse of about six hours was the Law of God read. “Ezra, God’s […]
Scripture Meditation: Second Timothy 2:1-3 Insights and Observations: Timothy was Paul’s son in the faith and spiritual offspring in the Gospel. Endunamoo: “be strengthened, become strong, or strengthen thyself.” Paul, here, urges Timothy to draw upon those resources with which God Himself has enabled Timothy—and every genuine convert of Christ—to combat evil and fight the “good fight” (I Cor 15:10; Philip 4:13). There are several points with the immediate context which brings weight to Paul’s admonition, “be strong.” First: Timothy’s heritage of faith, i.e., Lois and Eunice, mother and grandmother, respectively (1:5). Second: Timothy’s commissioning as guardian of the “good thing” (sacred trust – 1:14 cp, I Tim 1:18,19). Third: […]
Scripture Meditation: Matthew 18:3-6; 19:14 Few things in life are more important than the discipleship of children. The failure of parents to seriously commit themselves to raise their young in the way of the Gospel and in the Word of the Lord will come to light in the next generation. Nothing should distract moms and dads from their God-given responsibility to daily immerse their children in the things of God. Neither work, hobbies, recreation, nor service through the church, community, or school are worthy excuses for the neglect of the development of our child’s devotional life. It’s an all-important task! You and I, as Christian parents, must be ready to […]
I Corinthians 15:20-23 “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the first-fruits , afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” Today, we are again honing in on the Fifteenth Chapter of I Corinthians, moving to a close in our study of I Corinthians. Resurrection, of course, is our subject matter, and today most of our time will be spent looking at the order […]
Pastor Mark Graham, 5/25/14 Have you thought much about the fact that life is so much about coming and going, arrivals and departures, traveling here and there? In this rushing world how many of us really think long about our daily traverse, our routine destinations which make up so much of our lives? Today, we have a great lesson before us about travel; about how to avoid the mindless rush of travel and how to enjoin the verse which says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,do all to the glory of God.” – I Co. 10:31 […]
John 9:1-7 “As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ Having said these things, He spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then He anointed the […]