READ: Psalm 145, Matthew 27, Hebrews 9 HEAVEN IS FOR COWARDS Hebrews 9:24 reminds us that the Jesus things of earth are copies, that what is true awaits us in heaven, that the unmitigated and uninterrupted presence of God will only be fully realized when we get to our eternal home. In this way heaven beckons us […]
Region: Arab World
Abiding in Jesus: October 20
READ: Psalm 144, Matthew 26, Hebrews 8 TO GIVE OR TO GIVE UP Matthew 26 unveils two very different approaches to giving where the disciple and Jesus are involved. One giver pours on Jesus her life savings, an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil (v. 7). The other giver wants to see what he […]
Abiding in Jesus: October 19
READ: Psalm 143, Matthew 25, Hebrews 7 THE POWER OF AN ENDLESS LIFE Thomas Obediah Chisholm penned the hymn “O to Be Like Thee”: “O, to be like Thee! Lowly in spirit, holy and harmless, patient and brave.” This excerpt includes a phrase from Hebrews 7:26, “holy and harmless.” The same verse in Hebrews defines Jesus as […]
Abiding in Jesus: October 18
READ: Psalm 142, Matthew 24, Hebrews 6 HATED BY ALL NATIONS Jesus promises that we will be hated by all nations (Matt. 24:9). The closer we approach His second coming, the more unpopular we are going to be. It is ironic that so much mission activity has in part the motivation to be well thought […]
Abiding in Jesus: October 17
READ: Psalm 141, Matthew 23, Hebrews 5 STRIKES OF KINDNESS Unfortunately those who walk with Jesus the longest are just as susceptible to becoming “dull of hearing” as the unconverted (Heb. 5:11). The more we know about Jesus, if we are not careful, the harder it is for the Spirit to explain things to us. We […]
Abiding in Jesus: October 16
READ: Psalm 140, Matthew 22, Hebrews 4 WORK AT RESTING There really is no rest for the wicked. Hebrews 4:6 reminds us that disobedience denies rest–both temporal and eternal. No matter how educated, accomplished, recognized, or wealthy a person is (outside being settled in and nestled into Jesus), there is no lasting harbor. But let […]
Abiding in Jesus: October 15
READ: Psalm 139, Malachi 34Matthew 21, Hebrews 3 GREAT AND TERRIBLE JESUS The Old Testament ends with a warning about being cursed and a reminder that the day of the Lord is both great and terrible (Mal. 4:5-6). The New Testament reminds us there really are only two options for humanity. Either we fall on […]
Abiding in Jesus: October 14
READ: Psalm 138, Malachi 3, Matthew 20, Hebrews 2 PRAYER ERRORS In Matthew 20, a Mediterranean mother tries to secure high office for her sons. James’ and John’s Momma approaches Jesus and asks that her boys be given a leading role in the administration to come. Her prayer offends the other disciples most probably because […]
The Idea of Sacrifice
It’s a holiday throughout the Muslim world. It’s Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are in Mecca, the most holy city in Islam. Young and old, rich and poor, male and female, they all wear white robes as a symbol of purity and equality. Pilgrims recite the […]
Abiding in Jesus: October 13
READ: Psalm 137, Malachi 2, Matthew 19, Hebrews 1 GODLY OFFSPRING “But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.” (Malachi 2:15) There is nothing as radiant as […]
