Object Lessons of Jesus – Introduction. As a Master Teacher, Jesus was an entrepreneur of learning. Any object could inspire Him to make an object lesson. Any person could become a visual aid. Any teachable moment was insightfully seized by Jesus if the disciples were around. He would use the tangible to teach an intangible …
(12.) On Christ as the Hidden Manna. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.” (Rev. 2:17, NKJV). Living Bread. Soon after Jesus’ astounding feeding of the 5,000 and His walking on the turbulent Sea, He was …
(28.) On Christ the Prophet. The Hebrew Scriptures are very clear about their appointed leaders… they must be anointed. The roles of prophet, priest and king are these anointed ones, and they find their fulfillment in the Anointed One in the Gospels. This is another example of how Christianity is basically a Jewish religion. The …
Named Before Birth – John the Baptist. “The angel reassured Zechariah, ‘Don’t fear. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You’re going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you – many will delight in his birth. He’ll achieve …
Named Before Birth – Ishmael. “The Angel of the Lord said to Hagar, ‘You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, which means ‘God Hears,’ for the Lord has heard of your misery” (Genesis 16:11). Abraham and Sarah (at that time, Abram and Sarai) were unable to conceive a …
Morning Prayer. “Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again, and sustain …
King David and the Census. Please read 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21. GOD and SATAN. The Biblical story of David’s sinful census starts right off with somewhat of a mystery. In the 2 Samuel account, God is angry with Israel for unnamed reasons, and decides to use David to punish them. So God …
Te Deum – Part 4. “… Father, of majesty unbounded, Your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, And the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.” The Ted Deum now brings us to what is in many respects the mystery of mysteries… The Trinity. The early church was unquestionably Trinitarian right from the start, and …
Te Deum – Part 1. You are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. You. You. You. This ancient hymn of the Church begins with a heavenly outburst of adoration, unabashedly looking at God straight in the eye in faith, face to face, …
Beware: Watch Your Lifestyle. “Be careful! Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that Day catch you unawares, like a trap. For that Day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times.” (Luke 21:34-35). Jesus gave His …
Isaac and the Midday Prayer. The Jewish sages based each of the their weekday prayers on the character and actions of the patriarchs. Thus, the recommended daily prayers of Jewish believers were inspired by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham represents the morning prayer, since he often “rose early in the morning to the place where …
Night Prayer. “Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace. Amen.” (concluding prayer of the Compline). “Night Prayer” is another name for the Compline, a service of evening prayers said before going to bed. It was probably first officially formed by …