Lent is a period of fasting, repentance, and spiritual discipline in the Christian faith, traditionally observed during the 40 days leading up to Easter. In 2023, it starts on Wednesday, February 23, and ends on Maundy Thursday, which is on April 6th. This 40-day period is traditionally a time for believers to focus on their relationship ...

The Mosaic (Sinaitic) Covenant

Abraham and his descendants had never been told in any detail when or how the promises to them of land, a great nation, numerous descendants and being a blessing to the whole earth would be fulfilled.

The children of Israel could have easily surmised that God had forgotten them as they languished ...

 
When my oldest son was two years old, we took him to a portrait studio to have his picture taken. Two-year-olds are a bundle of emotions, and getting them to sit still through a photo shoot is a real challenge. During that short session, my son went through a range of moods, from contentment, to laughter, to pouting, ...

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s family. Go to the land I will show you.

“I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
   and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,
   and whoever curses you I will ...

When we become a child of God, we not only inherit God’s blessings but God’s enemies as well. The Lord’s foremost enemy is Satan, whose purpose is to destroy his work (John 8:44), but Jesus came in order to “destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8).

Satan is a fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12– 15) ...

  
Worship is a dominant theme from Genesis to Revelation because the God who created all things and redeemed us in Christ is worthy to receive all honor, praise, service, and respect (e.g., Exodus 15:1 – 18, Revelation 4:11). However, since certain expressions of worship are unacceptable to God (Genesis 4:3 – 5, Continue Reading →

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown ...

The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible is a popular and beloved study Bible that’s been used by students of God’s Word for well over 100 years, starting with its first publication in 1908. After not being available for several years, the NIV is now available in the revised and updated edition.

The ...

 
If you feel hopeless, helpless or powerless—unable to deal with people or problems and on the verge of exhaustion—take heart in the prophet Habakkuk’s stirring conclusion to his short book.

Knowing that a savage army of Babylonians would soon plunder his homeland, Habakkuk was discouraged. Surely, the coming destruction would be absolutely unbearable. Yet despite the disheartening ...

in the Midst of Personal and Cultural Chaos

“People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” This famous quote comes from Samuel Johnson, born in 1709. He was an English literary critic, biographer, essayist, and poet. He published the work he is perhaps best known for, A Dictionary of the English Language, in 1755. He ...