Category: New Testament

The Purpose of Plagues

Scripture: Revelation 9: 20-21

The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Scripture Commentary:

The people referred to in Revelation were so hardhearted that even plagues did not drive them to God. People don’t usually fall into immorality and evil suddenly. They slip into it a little at a time, then realizing what happened, they are irrevocably mired in their wicked ways.

Any person who allows sin to take root in their life will find themselves in a predicament.

Temptation entertained today becomes sin tomorrow.

Once sin becomes a habit, spiritual death and separation from God occurs. To think you can never become this evil is the first step toward a hard heart. Go to God and confess your sin. Ask for forgiveness.

People want to know what is going to happen in the future instead of doing God’s work today. The future will take care of itself. The Book of Revelation lets us see what God has for those who have serve Him and for those who have serve Lucifer.

Revelation is the book of hope. It promises that evil is not forever. It shows what God has for us.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Revelation Chapter 9

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Revelation:

Let Your Name Be in the Lamb’s Book of Life

God is Alpha and Omega; Beginning and End

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

Scripture: Matthew 16: 13-15

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Scripture Commentary:

Jesus asked His disciples – and us – “Who do you say I am?” Those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior do not know who He is. Likewise, those who claim to know Him but live by their own laws don’t know Him.

Peter answered Jesus saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” He was acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah. If Jesus were to ask you this question, how would you answer?

Jesus praised Peter for His confession of faith. This is the same Peter who denied Jesus three times; the same Peter who Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” three times. God had a purpose for Peter. It was to plant and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It’s faith like Peter’s that is the foundation of Jesus Christ’s kingdom. When we don’t know Christ, we make choices as though this life were all we have. In reality , this is just the introduction to eternity.

This is not our permanent home.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Matthew Chapter 16

John Chapter 21

Read Other Commentary From the New Testament:

When I Want to Do Good, Why Is Evil There With Me?

You Must Believe That He Is

Conceit is the Devil’s Trap

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12: 7-9

Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

Scripture Commentary: Don’t let conceit make you think it’s all about you.

When we are so conceited that we think we can do anything, we have just stepped into Satan’s trap. The apostle Paul may have been in a place in his ministry where it was going so well that he thought it was all about him. This, too, can happen to you and God will have to pull you back and let you see it is not about you.

Paul doesn’t say what his thorn was but in verses 9 and 10 these words appear: weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and finally, difficulties. Paul’s thorn could have been any one of these things; they cover personal, physical, health and mental issues.

The thorn that he had kept him humble and reminded him of his need for constant contact with God.

Paul’s thorn was for him.

Your thorn is for you and only you. My thorn is for me and only me. Although God did not remove Paul’s thorn, He promised to demonstrate His power through Paul.

Each of us has a thorn to bear and God, in using us to spread His gospel, is a reminder of His love for us.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

2 Corinthians Chapter 12

Read Other Commentary from the Book of 2 Corinthians:

Depend on God in Your Weakness

Do Not Despair; God Is With You

Blessed Is the One Who Trusts God

Scripture: Psalm 84: 12

Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Scripture: Jeremiah 17: 7

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.

Scripture: Matthew 6: 34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Scripture Commentary:

These three Bible chapters and verses stress that blessed is the one who trusts God only. We have a tendency to do things and leave God out. God does not promise us everything we think is good, but He will not withhold what is permanently good.

He gives us the means to walk along His path, but He lets us choose. When we choose to follow God, He will direct us in the way we should go.

Two kinds of people are contrasted in Jeremiah 17:7: those who trust in self and those who trust in God. The people of Judah trusted in false gods; therefore, they were unfruitful. In contrast, those who trusted in the Lord flourished like trees planted by water.

Planning for tomorrow is time well spent. Worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. It’s difficult to tell the difference. Planning is good but don’t let it interfere with your relationship with God.

As we begin to yield to God, He begins reshaping us into valuable vessels to use.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 84

Jeremiah Chapter 17

Matthew Chapter 6

Read Other Commentary On Trusting God:

Trust God Who Can Do All Things

Praise Ye the Lord, Place Your Trust in Him

Will You Follow When Jesus Calls?

Scripture: Luke 9: 57, 59, 61-62

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” (57) He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” (59) Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (61-62)

Scripture Commentary:

Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, casting a net. Jesus told them to follow Him, and straightaway, they left their nets and followed.

And going from there, Jesus sees James and John with their father. Jesus told the two brothers to follow Him and immediately they left their father and followed Jesus.

What does Jesus want from us?

He wants total dedication, not half hearted commitment. We can’t pick and choose among Jesus’s teachings and follow Him selectively. We have to accept the cross along with the crown, judgment as well as mercy.

It’s necessary to count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given us security. In Luke 9: 59, Luke does not say if the father has died or is dying. In Luke 9: 61, Luke doesn’t say if he wants to say goodbye to family or friends. But we see in Matthew 4, Jesus calls to Simon, Andrew, James and John, and they dropped everything and followed Jesus.

Jesus is calling. Are you going to follow?

Read the Entire Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:

Luke Chapter 9

Matthew Chapter 4

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Luke:

Lord, Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom

How Do You Use Your Worldly Goods?

Jesus’s Heart Goes Out to Us; Don’t Cry

Scripture: Luke 7: 13-15

When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Scripture Commentary:

Luke chapter 7 details some of Jesus’s miracles. When He enters Nain, He sees a mother crying over the death of her son. She has already lost her husband and now her son. Jesus’s heart went out to her and He says, “Don’t cry.” He then touches the bier and tells the young man to arise.

Earlier in the chapter Jesus enters Capernaum where a certain centurion’s servant is near death. The centurion sends his friend to Jesus to ask him to heal his servant. The centurion had such faith in Jesus that he sent word that Jesus didn’t need to come Himself. He believed that Jesus need only say the words, and the servant would be healed.

These stories illustrate Jesus’s compassion, and how the people, through their faith, were saved.

What about you and your faith? Ask and it will be given; seek and you will find Jesus.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Luke Chapter 7

Read Other Chapters from the Book of Luke:

When He Saw Their Faith, He Answered Their Prayer

I Once Was Lost But Now Am Found

Approach God with Confidence

Scripture: Ephesians 3: 12, 20-21

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (12) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (20-21)

Scripture Commentary:

Paul was under house arrest when he wrote to the church of Ephesus. The letter to the Ephesians encourages them, and us, as the living body of Jesus on earth. Through faith, we can approach God. Overcome by emotion, Paul remembers all that God has done and challenges the Ephesians, and us, to live a Christ-like life.

Where would you be right now if not for the love of Christ?

Because Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, which he was jailed for, today we can read and learn about Our Lord and Savior. Paul endured the pain of persecution to bring new believers to Christ.

Following and obeying Jesus is never easy.

Jesus tells us to take up His cross and follow Him. Are you willing to endure pain so that God’s message of salvation can reach the entire world?

We are blessed that others have suffered and sacrificed for us. The question is, “Are you a follower?”

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Ephesians Chapter 3

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Ephesians:

God Is Rich in Mercy – He Loves You

It Is By Grace that You Are Saved

Don’t Forfeit Your Eternity with God

Scripture: Matthew 16: 25-26

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 

Scripture Commentary:

Will you forfeit your soul? Is this earth your god? Are the people in your life more important to you than Jesus Christ? Who do you listen to? Yourself, Satan, or God?

Real discipleship implies real commitment.

If you are a disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ, losing your earthly life for Him is real. If you try to save your physical life from death, pain or discomfort, you risk losing your true eternal life.

Who are you serving?

From the time you were born, you were placed in line for a journey of service. If you protect yourself from pain, you begin to die spiritually and emotionally. Think of the pain and suffering Jesus took for us on the cross.

You lose true purpose in life if you turn your life inward. However, when you give your life in service to Christ, you discover the real purpose of living.

This life is just an introduction to eternity with God.

If you don’t know Christ, you make choices as though this life is all you have. In reality, this life is just an introduction to eternity with God. How you live this brief span of time determines your eternity.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the light that we all need to guide our living.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Matthew Chapter 16

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Matthew:

Have your iniquities separated you from God?

Do Not Worry – Give It to God

Note: For the remainder of the summer, we will post once a week on Monday.

I Tell You, Keep Your Promises!

Scripture: Matthew 5: 31-44

Divorce

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[f] 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[g]

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Scripture Commentary:

God intends that marriage be a lifetime commitment. In Matthew 5: 31-32, Jesus attacks those who purposefully abuse the marriage contract. We are not to use divorce to fulfill a lustful desire to marry someone else. Jesus said that divorce is not permissible, except for unfaithfulness. Keeping oaths and promises is important. It builds trust and makes committed human relationships.

In Matthew 5: 38-42, God provides an expression of mercy. “Make the punishment fit the crime” is not a guide for personal revenge. According to Jesus, it is more important to give justice and mercy than to receive it.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Matthew Chapter 5

Read the last three weeks of commentary on Matthew Chapter 5:

Jesus Didn’t Come to Undo the Law. He Fulfills It.

Let God Guide Your Moral Compass

We are All Subject to Judgment

Note: For the remainder of the summer, we will post once a week on Monday.

We Are All Subject to Judgment

Scripture: Matthew 5: 22-30

22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Scripture Commentary:

Anger is a great sin. It violates God’s command to love. Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. In Jesus’ day, someone who couldn’t pay a debt was subject to judgment and thrown into prison until the debt was paid. We should resolve our differences before anger causes more trouble.

Acting out sinful desires is the beginning of rebellion against God. Sinful action is more dangerous than sinful desire. That is why desires shouldn’t be acted out. Jesus says to rid yourself of the body part that could cause you to sin. He is saying that it’s better to experience the pain of removal than to spend eternity in hell.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Matthew Chapter 5

Read the last two weeks of commentary on Matthew Chapter 5:

Jesus Didn’t Come to Undo the Law. He Fulfills It.

Let God Guide Your Moral Compass

Note: For the remainder of the summer, we will post once a week on Monday. Please join us next week as we explore more verses from Matthew Chapter 5.