“I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.” (Sadhu Sundar Singh, hymnist) In the days following His transfiguration, Jesus and the disciples traveled through a Samaritan village on their way to Jerusalem. Many villagers rejected Him. …

“Thus, I establish My covenant with you.” (Genesis 9:11) We often read in the Bible that God keeps His covenants. But what is a covenant? Technically, two parties form a covenant to “make binding promises to each other to do or not do something to reach a common goal.” In…

“They traveled from the east and found a plain in the land of Shinar.” Genesis 11:2 The region of Shinar is mentioned eight times in the Old Testament, always in reference to historical Babylon or Babylonia. It included both its northern (Accad) and southern (Erech) kingdoms and sometimes collectively called…

“The pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.” (Isaiah 53:10) In parts one and two, we looked at the first three Servant Songs in Isaiah 42, 49, and 50. We also started looking at the fourth Song in Isaiah 52. We continue our study in part three, which…

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold.” Isaiah 42:1 The book of Isaiah contains a staggering number of prophecies about the first coming of the Messiah Jesus — His birth, baptism, ministry, triumphal entry, arrest and trial, death, resurrection, and more. It also contains four “Servant Songs.” Each song focuses on…

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me.” Luke 22:42 The Bible mentions a cup in eighteen out of its sixty-six books. Sometimes, it is simply a physical cup. Other times, it symbolizes something. Fear: “Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of…

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3 Many people wonder what God’s will is for their lives. They question their purpose and God’s plan for them, but His will is about more than earthly purpose. God wants to shape us into holy beings who experience…

“For you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:20 When we think of the apostle Paul, we often forget he was foremost a pastor. As he traveled around the Mediterranean area, he not only planted churches but also watched over them like a loving mother. His epistles in the…

“So, the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly.” Luke 16:8 Jesus told many parables during His three years of ministry. While many are relatively simple to understand, some are more difficult. One such parable is of the unjust servant in Luke 16:1–13. Jesus tells it as…