From: March 1, 2017
After offering many reasons why the Lord should help, the Psalmist ultimately based his appeal on the Lord’s own “mercy.” The word in the Hebrew is “chesed,” which may also refer to God’s loving-kindness, his covenantal and unfailing love. In the New Testament this most closely matches the word “agape” love, as found in John 3:16, “For God so loved.” The Psalmist was praying, “Rise up our Help and redeem us according to the quality of Your covenantal love and not according to our own desert.”
From: March 1, 2016
Every seven years the Israelites were to keep a Sabbath for the land. This was called the “shemitah.” God promised to bless their land with such abundance in the sixth year that it would provide enough for three years (Lev. 25:21-22). After seven of these cycles (49 years), in the fiftieth year they were to declare a Year of Jubilee. This was like the Sabbath Year, yet included cancellation of debts. In the sabbath year, each field was to lie fallow, which appears to be a sound agricultural practice. Every fiftieth year, all leased or mortgaged lands were to be returned to their original owners, and all slaves and bonded laborers were to be freed. This practice reminded the Jews that the land really belonged to God and that they were really just “strangers and sojourners” in the land (Lev. 25:23). It also taught them to depend on God for supply, as they rested every seven years. In Luke 4, Jesus read from Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the “Year of the Lord’s Favor” (Luke 4:19) and declared that He was its fulfillment. Jesus is our Sabbath rest. He is our Jubilee.
From: March 1, 2015
This was Christ’s response to the question “Who then can be saved?” The truth is that we cannot save ourselves. Salvation is beyond humanity’s reach. No amount of counseling, religion, or self-effort can change the heart of man. We are drowning in our own sin and unable to reach the shore. But God has made a way for us through Christ. What seemingly impossible thing is defeating you today? Bring it to God. He specializes in accomplishing impossible things.
From: March 1, 2014
The golden Lampstand stood in the Tabernacle with its seven lamps filled with olive oil overlooking the Table of Presence. It was to be kept continuously lit by the high priest. Its light was to shine on the Bread of Presence and throughout the holy place. In the gospels, Jesus identified Himself with these two sacred symbols saying, “I am the Bread of life,” and “I am the Light of the world.” Later, in the book of Revelation, John saw Jesus walking amongst the lampstands which were shown to be the churches. Jesus warned that He would remove a church’s lampstand if it failed to fulfill its calling to Him. What is the calling of the church as a “lampstand?” It is to shine its light upon the Bread of Life, which is Jesus Christ our Lord! Any church which lets its light go out in the darkness or wastes its light by shining it on other things than Jesus, will have their lampstand removed. Church, let’s keep our lampstand lit and shining on Jesus!
From: March 1, 2013
This was Jesus’ response to the question “Who then can be saved?” The truth is that we cannot save ourselves. Salvation is beyond humanity’s reach. No amount of counseling, religion, self-help courses, New Year’s resolutions… can change the heart of man. We are drowning in our own sin and unable to reach the shore. But God has made a way for us through Christ. What impossible thing is defeating you today? Bring it to God. He specializes in accomplishing impossible things.
From: March 1, 2012
In what hope or dream from God have you given up? Does it seem impossible to you now? Pray and cast all your cares on Him. All things are possible with God. He exposes our unmet needs, so that we understand that He alone can meet them.
From: March 1, 2011
Do your words build others up or tear them down? The righteous speak words that edify others. Their words are like food to those who hear them.