There's a striking contrast between these two chapters: "What a wretched man I am!" (chapter 7); "With God on our side, who can be against us?" (chapter 8). These are two sides of the one coin. The Holy Spirit has come to lives within us, yet we are still sinners. Our life on this earth …
Month: March 2024
Romans 4-6
Here, Paul speaks about God's way of salvation. He emphasizes that we receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ: we are justified by faith (chapter 4). This is just the beginning of our salvation. God has given us new life (chapter 6) and, now, He's leading us on to eternal glory (chapter 5).
God’s Word still speaks to us (57): The Word of God is alive and active.
The Word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). We read the words of the Old Testament, and we read the words of the New Testament. All of what we read comes to us from a very long time ago. We wonder, "Do the Scriptures still have something important to say to our life in today's …
Continue reading God’s Word still speaks to us (57): The Word of God is alive and active.
God’s Word still speaks to us (56): The Old Testament Scriptures prepare us for Jesus and they lead us to him.
As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ" (Acts 17:2-3). Here, we have Paul, preaching in the synagogue. He brings to them something …
Search The Scriptures: Mark’s Gospel
MARK “Good News” - “the forgiveness of sins” and “baptism with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:1,4,8). This Good News is centred on Jesus Christ, God’s beloved Son (Mark 1:11). Jesus was empowered by “the Spirit” (Mark 1:12). He comes to us with “the Good news of God” (Mark 1:(14). He calls for our response - …
Looking beyond Jesus’ death to his resurrection (Luke 23-24)
Here, we see unity in evil: "And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day." Politically, these men were at odds with each other. Spiritually, however, they were united in their opposition to Christ. Whatever the outcome of this incident with Jesus of Nazareth, nothing must be permitted to …
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Union with Christ in His death and resurrection – facts, faith and experience
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore …
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The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?" (Psalm 24:3) - only Jesus Christ, our great Saviour! Jesus went down to the place of suffering and death - and, then, God raised him from death to life. Through Jesus, we are raised to life. We do not raise ourselves. We have been raised by him - …
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Resurrection has no meaning without death.
Before we move on to Jesus' resurrection and His return to heaven, we must turn our thoughts to His death and His burial. The world doesn't want to hear about death, but this is something about which we must speak. There is no Gospel, if we stop short of Jesus' death, if we speak only …
Daniel’s Deliverance And Christ’s Resurrection
Daniel 6:1-28 The deliverance of Daniel from the mouths of the lions - What a great miracle this is! It points forward to an even greater miracle - the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why is the resurrection a greater miracle? - It seemed almost inevitable that Daniel would be killed, but he didn’t …
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The resurrection of Christ opens up for us a glorious future.
Acts 23-25 "The resurrection of the dead" was a central theme in Paul's preaching: "It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial" (chapter 23); "It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today" (chapter 24). His teaching concerning the resurrection …
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Jesus’ death and resurrection
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Jesus spoke about His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21). This is prophecy. What we have here is even more remarkable. We read this, and we think that this must have been written after Jesus’ death. This is the work of the Spirit of God. He sees what lies ahead. He describes these events, …
Jesus says to us, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Then, He asks us, “Do you believe this?”
John 11:1-44 - Everything is moving on towards Christ’s death and resurrection. On His way to the Cross, Jesus performs a mighty miracle – the raising of Lazarus (43-44) – which points unmistakably to an even greater miracle – His own resurrection (Acts 2:24). Accompanying this miracle – the raising of Lazarus – , we …
Let’s Live As Resurrection People!
1 Corinthians 15:1-45 Here, we learn of Christ’s resurrection: the fact - ‘Christ has been raised from the dead’ - and the meaning - ‘the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep’ (20). * We look back to His resurrection. We ‘remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead’ (2 Timothy 2:8). * We look …
Christ’s Crucifixion And Resurrection
We rejoice in Christ's resuurection, but we do not rush on to His resurrection without turning our thoughts to His crucifixion. His resurrection has no meaning without His crucifixion. Before there could be His resurrection, there needed to be His crucifixion. Before He could be raised from death to life, He needed to die. He …
Jesus – the Resurrection and the Life
John 11:1-44 Everything is moving on towards Christ’s death and resurrection. On His way to the Cross, Jesus performs a mighty miracle - the raising of Lazarus (43-44) - which points unmistakably to an even greater miracle - His own resurrection (Acts 2:24). Accompanying this miracle - the raising of Lazarus - , we have …
Christ’s resurrection, His return, our redemption …
“I know that my Redeemer lives … In the end He will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25-26). Lord, we read these great words of faith, spoken by Job, and our thoughts turn to Jesus. We think of His resurrection – He “has risen” from the dead” (Matthew 28:6). We think of His return – …
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The mighty triumph of Christ’s resurrection from the dead
Esther 5:1-6:14 - Haman wanted ‘to have Mordecai hanged’ (5:14). Herod wanted to have Jesus killed (Matthew 2:16-18). Neither Haman nor Herod were successful in their evil plotting (6:13; Matthew 2:19-21). Even when Jesus Christ was ‘crucified at the hands of wicked men’, this was not a victory for the devil. God was in control …
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Blessing, Deliverance And Resurrection
Genesis 1:20 - “Let the waters bring forth abundantly.” What abundance of blessing there is when the living water of the Holy Spirit are flowing freely among the Lord’s people (John 7:37-39; Ezekiel 47:5,9). Genesis 1:21 - “great whales” Remember “the great fish” that swallowed Jonah (Jonah 1:17). This was God’s way of showing us …
Lord, we take our stand upon Jesus’ resurrection.
Lord, we take our stand upon Jesus’ resurrection – and Satan comes along to knock us down and undermine our faith. What are we to do when Satan keeps on sowing his seeds of unbelief? When our faith is being attacked by Satan, help us to remember that our faith is not based on our …
Continue reading Lord, we take our stand upon Jesus’ resurrection.
From the raising of a widow’s son to the resurrection of God’s Son
"The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived" (1 Kings 17:22). The raising of the widow's son confirmed Elijah's authority as God's prophet. Here, we look beyond God's prophet, Elijah, to God's Son, Jesus. We look beyond the raising of the widow's son to the resurrection of Jesus, …
Continue reading From the raising of a widow’s son to the resurrection of God’s Son
Prophecy, looking forward to Christ’s resurrection and His return (Isaiah 25:6-9)
Here, we have prophecy, looking forward to Christ's resurrection and His return. We look back to His resurrection - and we look forward to his return. We have "the foretaste of glory divine" - but we still look forward to the complete fulfilment of God's promises: "He will destroy" (Isaiah 25:7-8), "On that day, it …
Continue reading Prophecy, looking forward to Christ’s resurrection and His return (Isaiah 25:6-9)
Christ’s resurrection and our salvation
"The Sun of Righteousness will rise ... " (Malachi 4:2). The perfect Son of God has risen from the dead. This is the great declaration of salvation. The resurrection - This is what stands at the heart of the New Testament. The resurrection stands at the centre of the Gospel of Christ. This is the …
God’s love, God’s Son, God’s command, God’s purpose
Easter Sunday Morning: Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10 God’s love, God’s Son, God’s command, God’s purpose ‘When the Holy Spirit comes on you... you will be My witnesses... to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). This great advance of the Gospel …
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Easter Sunday – early morning worship
"Low in the grave He lay... up from the grave He arose... " https://youtu.be/oN77HjfAc8k Lord, we thank You for Your great love. It is not a love that we can take for granted. We dare not say, ‘God loves us. We can do what we like.’ Your love calls for our response. It’s a love that calls …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (25): In the resurrection of Christ, we see love, eternal love, the love of Christ.
We've reached the final stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: In the resurrection of Christ, we see love, eternal love, the love of God. Matthew 28:1-10 After the Sabbath, as Sunday morning was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (24): At the cross of Christ, we see love, eternal love, the love of Christ.
Welcome to the twentieth-fourth stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: At the cross of Christ, we see love, eternal love, the love of God. Psalm 114 When the people of Israel left Egypt, when Jacob's descendants left that foreign land,2 Judah became the Lord's holy people, Israel became his own possession.3 The Red Sea looked …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (23): Living as a new creation – our response to love, eternal love, the love of God
Welcome to the twenty-third stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Living as a new creation - our response to love, eternal love, the love of God Romans 6:3-11 What shall we say, then? Should we continue to live in sin so that God's grace will increase? 2 Certainly not! We have died to …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (22): Let us worship God – our response to love, eternal love, the love of God
Welcome to the twenty-second stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Let us worship God - our response to love, eternal love, the love of God. Psalm 98 Sing a new song to the Lord; he has done wonderful things!By his own power and holy strength he has won the victory.2 The Lord announced his victory; he made his …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (21): In the story of God’s salvation, we see love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the twenty first stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: In the story of God's salvation, we see love, eternal love, the love of God. Zephaniah 3:14-20 14 Sing and shout for joy, people of Israel! Rejoice with all your heart, Jerusalem!15 The Lord has stopped your punishment; he has removed all your enemies.The Lord, the king …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (20): On the Lord’s pathway of victory, we see love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the twentieth stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: On the Lord's pathway of victory, we see love, eternal love, the love of God. Psalm 143 Lord, hear my prayer!In your righteousness listen to my plea; answer me in your faithfulness!2 Don't put me, your servant, on trial; no one is innocent in …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (19): When the Spirit breathes upon us, we receive love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the nineteenth stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: When the Spirit breathes upon us, we receive love, etenal love, the love of God. Ezekiel 37:1-14 I felt the powerful presence of the Lord, and his spirit took me and set me down in a valley where the ground was covered …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (18): May your soul be lifted up by love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the eighteenth stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: May your soul be lifted up by love, eternal love, the love of God. Psalm 42 As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God.2 I thirst for you, the living God. When can I go …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (17): Through Christ, God looks upon us with love, eternal love, the love of God.
We come to the seventeenth stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Through Christ, God looks on us with love, eternal love, the love of God. Ezekiel 36:24-28 24 I will take you from every nation and country and bring you back to your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you and …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (16): In creation and Scripture, we see love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the sixteenth stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: In creation and Scripture, we see love, eternal love, the love of God. Psalm 19 How clearly the sky reveals God's glory! How plainly it shows what he has done!2 Each day announces it to the following day; each night repeats it to the …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (15): Be wise. Open your heart to love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the fifteenth stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Be wise. Open your heart to love, eternal love, the love of God. Proverbs 8:1-6, 19-21 Listen! Wisdom is calling out. Reason is making herself heard.2 On the hilltops near the road and at the crossroads she stands.3 At the entrance to the city, beside the …
From Good Friday to Easter Friday (14): In the prophet’s words, we hear the Word of love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the fourteenth stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: In the prophet's words, we hear the Word of love, eternal love, the love of God. Isaiah 55 The Lord says, “Come, everyone who is thirsty— here is water!Come, you that have no money— buy grain and eat!Come! Buy wine and milk— it will cost you …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (13): In the redemption of Israel, we see love, eternal love, the love of God.
Exodus 14:10-31 10 When the Israelites saw the king and his army marching against them, they were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses, “Weren't there any graves in Egypt? Did you have to bring us out here in the desert to die? Look what you have done by bringing us out of …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (12): Our hope of eternal glory comes from love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the twelfth stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Our hope of eternal glory comes from love, eternal love, the love of God. Psalm 16 Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety.2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; all the good things I have come from you.” …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (11): In Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, we see love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the eleventh stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: In Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, we see love, eternal love, the love of God. Genesis 22:1-18 Some time later God tested Abraham; he called to him, “Abraham!” And Abraham answered, “Yes, here I am!” 2 “Take your son,” God said, …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (10): Be still and know that there is love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the tenth stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday; Be still and know that there is love, eternal love, the love of God. Psalm 46 God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.2 So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (9): When you see a rainbow, remember there is love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the ninth stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: When you see a rainbow, remember there is love, eternal love, the love of God. Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18 The Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with your whole family; I have found that you are the only one in all the …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (8): In the end, there will be love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the eighth stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: In the end, there will be love, eternal love, the love of God. Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his love is eternal.2 Give thanks to the greatest of all gods; his love is eternal.3 Give thanks to the mightiest …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (7): In the beginning, there is love, eternal love, the love of God.
Genesis 1:1-2:4a In the beginning, when God created the universe, 2 the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving over the water. 3 Then God commanded, “Let there be light”—and light appeared. 4 God was pleased with what he saw. Then he separated the light from …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (6): Out of darkness into light – Love has the victory for ever.
Welcome to the sixth stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Out of darkness into light - Love has the victory for ever. John 19:38-42 After this, Joseph, who was from the town of Arimathea, asked Pilate if he could take Jesus' body. (Joseph was a follower of Jesus, but in secret, …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (5): Out of darkness into light – It was impossible for death to hold Christ.
Welcome to the fifth stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Out of darkness into light - It was impossible for death to hold Christ. Matthew 27:57-66 57 When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea arrived; his name was Joseph, and he also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went into the …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (4): Out of darkness into light: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Welcome to the fourth stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Out of darkness into light - Create in me a clean heart, O God. 1 Peter 4:1-8 Since Christ suffered physically, you too must strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking that he had; because whoever suffers physically is no …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (3): Out of darkness into light – the “spacious” place of God’s salvation
Welcome to the third stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Out of darkness into light - the "spacious" place of God's salvation. Psalm 31:1-4 I come to you, Lord, for protection; never let me be defeated.You are a righteous God; save me, I pray!2 Hear me! Save me now!Be my refuge to protect me; my defense …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (2): Out of darkness into light – The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
Welcome to the second stage of our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Out of darkness into light - The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. Lamentations 3:1-9 I am one who knows what it is to be punished by God.2 He drove me deeper and deeper into darkness3 And beat me again and again …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (1): Out of darkness into light – Death is swallowed up in victory.
Throughout this day - between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, I will be posting Bible Readings and notes every half-hour. There are 25 posts. If you would like to read more of these notes in one post, here's the link to the "Out of darkness into light" notes (From Good Friday to Easter Sunday, 1-6): …
In the beginning, there is love, eternal love, the love of God.
Easter Vigil: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26; Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13; Psalm 46; Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 16; Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21; Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18; Isaiah 55:1-11; Isaiah 12:2-6; Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6; Psalm 19; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Psalms 42 and 43; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 143; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Psalm 98; Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 114; Matthew 28:1-10 In …
Continue reading In the beginning, there is love, eternal love, the love of God.
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem
It is good for us to remember that, on that day of celebration, the day of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, there were those, among the crowd, who were, quite clearly, under the judgment of God. We read of "the great multitude of the disciples (who) began to rejoice and praise God with a loud …
Good Friday Worship
https://youtu.be/zFKbFINElqM "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). We were “far off.” Now, we have been “brought near.” “This is the Lord’s doing; and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). Each and every one of us were like the prodigal son …
Romans 9-11
These are difficult chapters. Paul speaks about the place of Jews and Gentiles in God's work of salvation. Above all else, this great theme stands out: Salvation is the work of God's grace; it is His gift of grace which is received through faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of both Jews and Gentiles.
God’s Word still speaks to us (55): Jesus Christ is the risen Lord, and he’s the living Saviour.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead (2 Timothy 2:8). Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We remember Jesus Christ. He's more than a highly respected figure from the long-distant past. He's the risen Lord. For Jesus, death was not the end. Beyond his crucifixion, there was his resurrection. …
God’s Word still speaks to us (54): “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith …
Good Friday March of Witness
We begin with "Wondrous Love" (also known as "Here is love, vast as the ocean"). https://youtu.be/7uRTQkdvNrY Let's pray. We thank You, Lord, for Jesus Christ – Your Son, our Saviour. What a great Saviour He is! When we think of Jesus, may our hearts be filled with true and lasting joy. We search for happiness – …
Were we there when they crucified our Lord?
Good Friday: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25 (or Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9); John 18:1-19:42 Were we there when they crucified our Lord? – Yes. He died for our sins. In this remarkable prophecy, we see Jesus Christ, crucified for us - ‘the Lord has laid all our sins on Him’ - and risen from the …
Continue reading Were we there when they crucified our Lord?
Romans 12-13
In the first eleven chapters of Romans, Paul expounds the Gospel: what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. In chapters 12-16, he speaks to us about our response to the Gospel. This shift of direction is particularly noticeable in the opening verses of chapter 12. In chapter 12, the main emphasis is on …
Learning From God's Word 