Ichthyology
Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19
Ichthyology is the branch of zoology that deals with the study of fish. From our passage [Matthew 4:18-22] we derive that the focus of the call is “I will make you fishers of men.” The focus is not on success; it is not about materialism. He does not propose the establishment of educational facilitates which will present a philosophy of successful living. He is not suggesting a successful career in the ministry. The establishment of a prestigious church denomination is not the goal. They are to fish for men. Read more
Seeing Jesus in Psalm 18
Jesus is all over Scripture, Old and New Testament alike. Though His Name doesn’t appear in the Old, everything points and finds its fulfillment in Him (see Luke 24.27, 44-45). This is certainly true about Psalm 18 Read more
Blood that Speaks
I came across a passage recently that caused me pause. I know I had read it before but the words raised a question I couldn’t shake. “Is it possible?” I asked myself. But as I stared at the words in Hebrews 12, the words couldn’t be more plain: blood speaks. Read more
The Name (Ephesians 1.21b)
Paul is attempting to describe the power of God. How does one describe something that is utterly indescribable? He uses superlatives and examples, yet all fail short. But as best he can, he depicts God’s immense and overwhelming power using four different Greek words. In the end, he states God has limitless and absolute resource and power by which He creates dynamic explosions of His power (the word used is where we get our word dynamite – thus a dynamite explosion of God’s power!). Read more
Far Above (Ephesians 1.21a)
It has been some time since we’ve had a study – especially one from Ephesians. To give a quick review: Paul has been praying for the believers in Ephesus and begins (Ephesians 1.19) to talk about the power of God (I encourage you to read the past studies in Ephesians one). Read more
Psalm 51.14-17
“God is less interested in external behavior than He is about internal attitude.” Almost a hard thought to swallow. All our lives we are told to live according to the external: “Do this!” “Don’t to that!” “Follow these rules!” “Behave this way!” “Quit acting like so-and-so!” But I have come to the conclusion that God is more interested in what is going on internally in my life than what is coming out of it. Read more
Psalm 51.10-13
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. How often have we read, sung, prayed, and proclaimed these words? But more than fodder for lyrical fanciness or a great statement of supplication, has these words become the reality of your life? Read more
