Often, circumstances arise which lead to reminiscence concerning loved ones who have passed. These moments also often times lead to meditations on what those passsed loved ones may think about current matters if they were around to express those thoughts. Usually, these conversations center around temporal matters which lack spiritual substance. The account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 aids us in considering what those loved ones might actually say to us with their new knowledge of experience upon their death. 

Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in John 4 provides insight into the mind of God concerning His thoughts on worhsip. The Samaritans and Jews had fundamental differences in their approach to the worship of God. Jesus' answer to the woman concerning this important subject is relevant to us today.

Every year in November we celebrate the beloved holiday of Thanksgiving. Christians need to realize that thanksgiving is not a day of the year, but an indispensable virtue of the faith in which we are called to walk - "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) As we give thanks to God each day He transforms us spiritually.

As Joseph approached his brothers who hated him, they mocked him saying, "Look, this dreamer is coming!" (Genesis 37:19) ("Lit. master of dreams," NKJV fn) As the account progresses, it becomes apparent that Joseph only ever revealed what God had revealed to him. Yet, despite his honest actions he was rejected and assaulted. Those who reveal the truth are often treated like Joseph, but they must remain faithful like him too.

"The Lord's Supper" (1 Corinthians 11:20), or "the table of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 10:21, NASB) is the memorial observed on a weekly basis by the Lord's church according to His command. The memorial is rich with significance for the individual child of God, and for the collective body. 

Jews in Thessalonica resisted the gospel and became violently opposed to Paul and Silas. Not finding them, they dragged their host, Jason, to the city rulers and stated, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them" (Acts 17:6-7). That Paul and Silas were disruptive is not altogether untrue. However, the gospel they preached was turning the world right side up, and therefore those opposed felt it was being turned upside down. This is the effect the gospel has in a world tainted by sin.

In the first chapter of Colossians, Paul establishes the preeminence of Christ - "so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything." (Colossians 1:18, NASB) What does it mean that Jesus has first place in everything? What does this look like in the daily life of discipleship?

On two occasions, Jesus responded to the Pharasaic oppostions He faced by quoting Hosea 6:6. On one occasion He instructed them to "go and learn what this means"(Matthew 9:13). After this, He exposed their negligence, saying, "if you had known what this means...you would not have condemned the guiltless" (Matthew 12:7). "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6) What does this mean?

Jesus alluded to the “queen of the South” to bring shame upon the Jewish rulers who resisted His will, and the evidence supporting His claims (cf. Matthew 12:42). The queen Jesus considered was of Sheba, who made a long journey to hear Solomon’s wisdom straight from the source (cf. 1 Kings 10:1-13). Her eagerness and diligence in seeking the wisdom of Solomon should drive us to take advantage of the access we have in Jesus.

Amos 7 begins a series of five visions given to the prophet by Yahweh concering the northern kingdom. The first two were of destruction, yet the Lord’s hand was stayed by the prophet’s intercession. The third described the finality of God’s decision to punish the nation due to their persistence in unfaithfulness to the covenant. A major component of the vision is that of a plumb line, representing an objective standard of truth (cf. Amos 7:7-9). Still today, God suspends a plumb line in the midst of His people.