“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13 ESV). The writer of Hebrews, echoing Psalm 95, warns believers not to harden their hearts when they hear God’s voice “Today.” In Psalm 95, Israel’s wilderness generation turned
“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18 ESV). The writer of Hebrews wants us to see that Jesus’ humanity was no illusion. He truly suffered, and He was truly tempted. Yet unlike us, He never yielded to sin. His suffering was not
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” (Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV). The writer of Hebrews opens his letter with a majestic declaration about God’s revelation. In the past, God spoke “at many times
“I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ” (Philemon 1:6 ESV). Paul’s brief letter to Philemon is deeply personal yet profoundly spiritual. In verse 6, he prays that Philemon’s “sharing of [his] faith” (koinōnia tēs
“Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3 ESV). Psalm 100 is a psalm of joyful praise calling all people to worship the LORD with gladness. At its center is this command: “Know that
“Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will plead your cause and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea and make her fountain dry, and Babylon shall become a heap of ruins, the haunt of jackals, a horror and a hissing, without inhabitant.’” (Jeremiah 51:36–37 ESV). Jeremiah’s prophecy was written before Babylon’s
“Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon” (Jeremiah 50:34 ESV). In Jeremiah’s day, God’s people were exiled and oppressed by Babylon. Their situation seemed hopeless, yet the Lord sent them
“At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it” (2 Timothy 4:16–17 ESV). These words come
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:24–25 ESV). Paul reminded Timothy that as a servant of the Lord, he must reflect the character of his Master. The goal of ministry is not to win arguments but
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV). Paul wrote to his young protégé Timothy, urging him to be diligent in his study and handling of God’s Word. The phrase “do your best”