A New Spirit Ezekiel 36:23–29 A new spirit I will put within them. Ezekiel 11:19 While studying in Basel, my wife and I participated in a Bible study that met in our apartment. There was a girl in the study for whom we had been praying for some months prior to her attending. She had…

This People, This Place Jeremiah 32:36–41 They shall be my people, and I will be their God. Jeremiah 32:38 Here are three principles to guide us in ministry to the city or wherever God has called us to serve. 1. People before programs. The problem rises when we come with our programs and we want…

Deliverance in Zion Isaiah 63:1–6 It is I, speaking in righteousness. Isaiah 63:1 Who is this warrior described in Isaiah 63:1? He is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, returning to Jerusalem in the day of his wrath after having subdued the nations. He is the great “I am,” speaking in righteousness. He is…

Prophetic Truth Isaiah 48:1–6 The former things I declared of old. Isaiah 48:3 The Old Testament records numerous prophecies that were shown to be fulfilled in later history, including those about the coming of the Messiah. In considering future prophecies, we need to take notice of three conclusions. First, if such prophecies have been fulfilled…

Common and Special Grace Isaiah 26:7–11 Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:10 (NIV) Jesus once compared his ministry to that of John the Baptist. John was an austere figure who lived in the desert and preached a sober message of repentance from sin. Jesus moved among the…

Four Gifts for Christmas Isaiah 9:6–7 And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Four names for Jesus are given here. They are great names, for they describe who the incarnate Son of God is and they do so in terms of his gifts to us….

Vision of God Isaiah 6:1–8 I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. Isaiah 6:1 The vision contains four elements. The first element is that of sovereignty, embodied in the picture of “the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.” It is a dramatization of the fact that he…

The Limits of Human Wisdom Ecclesiastes 1:1–18 Everything is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NIV) Ecclesiastes is a short book; it has only twelve chapters. Yet Ecclesiastes is a high point of the wisdom literature in the sense that it shows the limits of man’s earthbound wisdom, just as Job shows the limits of man’s knowledge. Ecclesiastes…

Knowing God Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9:10 Knowing God is always knowing God in his relationship to us. Consequently, according to the Bible, knowledge of God takes place only where there is also knowledge of ourselves in…

Always Praising Him Psalm 150:1–6 Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:1 Psalm 150 answers four questions about worship. First question: Where should we praise God? Answer: Everywhere, in heaven and on earth. Second question: Why should we praise God? Answer: Because of everything God is and for all he has done. Third question: How should we…