John 3:25-36

For Reading and Meditation:     Malachi 3:13-18

Although in Psalm 73 the psalmist is beset by doubt, he begins, nevertheless, on a triumphant note: "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart." Preachers usually leave their conclusion until the end of their sermon - but here the psalmist begins with it!...

For Reading and Meditation:     Colossians 1:1-20

Does salvation come up from mankind through striving, helped by the Divine, or does it come down to us from above, through the act of God and our receptivity of that act? Is it an attainment or an obtainment? The answers separate Christianity from all other religions. Non-Christian religions teach that salvation is...

And he only; for "he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Several important matters loom upon us in this little statement. One of the most unintelligible things, to the world, is the declaration so constantly made in the Scriptures, that man is without life. At the very beginning of human history, Satan introduced, as a substitute for God's doctrine that man would die in the day of his transgression, his own opposing doctrine that man would not...

When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven. § My Father and your Father, and . . . My God and your God.As the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. § The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. § You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.“Lord, show us the Father, and it...

The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. § God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. § [He is] far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but...

It shall not be poured on man’s flesh; nor shall you make any other like it, according to its composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. § One Spirit. § Diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions. § God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. § God does not give the Spirit by measure.Of His fullness we have all received. § As the same anointing teaches you...

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. § A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. § No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. § I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever.Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the...

Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is His name. § I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction!Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to...

For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” § If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. § That servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. § He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and...