Category Archives: commitment
disciples: fishers of men
Mark 1 When Jesus began His ministry in Galilee, He did not search for scholars, strategists, or seasoned leaders. He walked along the shoreline and chose four fishermen — men with calloused hands, weathered faces, and hearts shaped by … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, evangelism, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, missions
Tagged Mark 1
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only Jesus: first to finish God’s race
Hebrews 11:1-12:2. The hall of faith contains a great cloud of witnesses. The typical understanding of this idea – mentioned in 12:1 – is that these witnesses are now in heaven looking down at the rest of us as we … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, perseverance, sleep of death
Tagged Hebrews 11, Hebrews 12
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only Jesus: rewarder of God’s faithful
Hebrews 10:19-39. Jesus is Lord of our future. What he has done for us only makes sense in the light of what he will do. As we see the day of his coming drawing near, it only … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, confession, destruction in hell, faithfulness, Jesus Christ, judgment, kingdom of God, missions, perseverance, preparation, second coming, suffering, will of God, witness
Tagged Hebrews 10
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only Jesus: assurance of God’s hope
Hebrews 5:11-6:20. The author of Hebrews challenged his readers to live up to their profession. To him, it was not enough for a person to claim to be a Christian, then live a life of arrested development. The Christian life … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, faith, forgiveness, growth, Jesus Christ, judgment, perseverance, scriptures, witness
Tagged Hebrews 5, Hebrews 6
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only Jesus: source of God’s salvation
Hebrews 2. When God sent his message of salvation by his angels – those who obeyed were delivered. Now God has sent his message of ultimate salvation by his own Son. Those who neglect Christ’s great salvation will find no … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, deliverance, Jesus Christ, sanctification, submission, trust, worship
Tagged Hebrews 2
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responding to heaven’s king
Matthew 28 Matthew does not describe the resurrection itself. He assumes it. To him, it is the most certain reality in the world. Instead, he turns our attention to the responses that first Easter morning—responses that still echo in … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, courage, kingdom of God, obedience, witness, worship
Tagged Matthew 28
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death, taxes, and heaven’s king
Matthew 17. A few disciples got a preview of Christ in his coming glory on the mount of transfiguration. They heard the voice of the Father himself say “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, faithfulness, genuineness, gospel, integrity, witness
Tagged Matthew 17
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revelation about heaven’s king
Matthew 16. Jesus warned his disciples to stay away from the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They seemed like experts in the things of God, but they were not privy to a real understanding of what God was doing … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, confidence, gospel, judgment, missions
Tagged Matthew 16
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the future and heaven’s king
Matthew 13. This chapter consists mostly of parables and is directed towards the crowds – not the disciples. The disciples were privy to insider information that served as a key to interpreting the parables (10-17). In two passages, Matthew records … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, destruction in hell, discipleship, future, kingdom of God, plan of God, preparation, second coming
Tagged Matthew 13
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mission and heaven’s king
Matthew 10. Chapter 9 had concluded with Jesus commanding his disciples to pray for more harvesters. Chapter ten begins with commencement day. Jesus calls his twelve disciples and tells them “You know those apostles you have been praying for? – … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, destruction in hell, enemies, gospel, ministry, missions, witness
Tagged Matthew 10
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Devotions 