Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When He was hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing He promised to Abraham, so …
Christ’s Parade to Calvary (Part 2)
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. …
Christ’s Parade to Calvary (Part 1)
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven! (Mark 11:9-10) The Paradox of Palm Sunday Palm Sunday is past us this year, but it’s still worthy of study. Tim Keller reminds us that Christ’s Triumphal Entry in Mark 11 invites us to reflect …
Forgiving Others
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32) Forgiveness and Peace A study in the Journal of Psychology and Health suggests that people who receive forgiveness themselves for things they did wrong …
Rosamond Herklots on Forgiveness
Bear with each other and forgive one another if you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:13-14) An Obscure Poet Rosamond Herklots (1905-1987) was born in Masuri, North India into a gifted missionary family. She was educated in …
Favoritism is Wrong
They said to Jesus: Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth….The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in …
Favoritism Forbidden
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart….Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like …
Help Me, Lord! (Part 3)
Joseph is fruitful and remains steady because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you….The Israelites groaned in their slavery and their cry for help went up to God. The Lord heard their groaning and He …
Help Me, Lord! (Part 2)
Sovereign Lord, help me for Your name’s sake. Out of the goodness of Your love, deliver me….Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth….Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. (Psalm 109:21, 124:8, 146:5) Newton’s Poem John Newton (1725-1807) was a captain …
Help Me, Lord! (Part 1)
Because Jesus Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted….Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need….We say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals …