All for your consideration.
“Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help” (Ps 22:9–11)
Jesus shows mercy because mercy simply bursts out of his own heart, he delights in showing mercy—it’s who he is. And since as Christians Christ is our life, it’s who we are, too.
Before we come to the baby in a manger, we must see the Lord sitting upon his throne in all his glory and holiness. But the only way for us to come before the Lord is by the baby in a manger.
The goal of all evil creatures is to pull creation down as much as possible toward nonexistence. But the task is futile. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God’s creatures did not create themselves or each other. In the end, they cannot uncreate.
At last, one comes who claims to be the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy. He is not merely a new Solomon or Ezra, come to embark on a new building project. He himself is the prophesied temple.
What do ancient boundary markers have to do with modern property laws? The Bible shows us God’s wisdom and passion for justice when it comes to the land we live in.
I am not the most qualified person in the world to answer this question. Neither are you. And yet we’re all asked it—and asking it ourselves. So how can we address the hardest question we’re all asking in a way that comforts and connects us?
When we recognize the goodness of the Master, we have good reason to delight in bearing the burden of the day—even in scorching heat—because His kingdom is worth our full labor.
Who added it? We’re not sure. When was it added? Probably some time in the second century. Why was it added? That’s a great question.
The Christian life often feels like being a sheep wandering in the desert, with little sustenance and dangers all around. Left to ourselves we have no guarantee of safety. For those of us charged with leading our fellow believers—whether we be pastors, ministry volunteers, mentors, parents, older siblings, or any other leadership role—we often feel unequipped and overwhelmed. The good news is, we have a Good Shepherd leading us.
