“For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.” (1 Corinthians 16:7 ESV). Although Paul’s letter to the Corinthians contains strong words of correction, his heart was not distant or cold. He longed for more than a quick stopover; he
Chapter: 16
FINISHING WELL BY FAITH
“In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians.” (2 Chronicles 16:12 ESV) King Asa began his reign with wholehearted trust in the Lord. In his earlier years, he cried
WHEN THE ARK AND THE ALTAR WERE APART
“And he left Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar” (1 Chronicles 16:39–40 ESV). For over a century, from the days of Eli until Solomon’s temple, the Ark of the
HAS THE LORD OPENED YOUR HEART?
“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14 ESV). The gospel’s entrance into Europe began through an unexpected person: a businesswoman named
WHEN SIN SEEMS A LIGHT THING
“And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER
“A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.” (Proverbs 16:26 ESV). A wise observation by King Solomon: Hunger motivates work. In other words, hunger can act as an incentive for one to labor for himself. Self-employment is hard, but often the most rewarding, for both the stomach and for one’s self-respect. Of
YOU CAN HAVE PEACE AMIDST SUFFERING
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV). True peace is not found in a trouble-free place, but in an overcoming Person. This peace is not about the absence of trouble,
IF GOD LEFT YOU, WOULD YOU NOTICE?
“And he awoke from his sleep and said, ‘I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the Lord had left him.” (Judges 16:20 ESV). Samson had grown so used to God’s blessing and power that he took it for granted. Time after time, he had
BE THE CHURCH AND TRUST CHRIST TO BUILD THE CHURCH
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 ESV). After Simon confessed Jesus as the “Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus blessed him and gave him a new name, calling him, “Peter,” or
GOD’S WORD PREDICTED CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
“For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption” (Psalm 16:10 ESV). Both the apostles Peter and Paul quoted this Psalm of David to make a case for Christ’s resurrection. Peter quoted this verse from King David in his sermon on the day of Pentecost describing him as