“At this, I woke up and looked around. My sleep had been very sweet” (Jeremiah 31:26 NLT).

October 17, 2019

JEREMIAH’S SWEET DREAM While Jeremiah slept, the Lord spoke to him in a prophetic dream of the coming Messiah and of a future time of joy and peace for Jerusalem. When he awoke, he remembered every word the Lord had said and he regarded his sleep as being so very sweet that he no doubt

“We know that the law is good when used correctly” (1 Timothy 1:8 NLT).

October 16, 2019

THE LAW IS GOOD WHEN USED CORRECTLY Paul taught Timothy the importance of guarding the gospel against those who would misuse the law, claiming its necessity for salvation. Human effort at law-keeping does not save, only believing the gospel saves. Those that teach law-keeping as a means of salvation are not using the law “correctly.”

“Give them my entire message; include every word. Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways” (Jeremiah 26:2b-3a NLT).

October 15, 2019

PREACHING THE WORD WHOLE God told the prophet Jeremiah to preach the “entire message” that He had gave him. God’s purpose was to warn His people of their sins, so that they might repent, not to tickle their ears. God’s instruction to Jeremiah is the same to those who would preach God’s Word today. We

“With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 NLT).

October 14, 2019

GET A GRIP ON GOD’S WORD Paul told the Thessalonian believers to “stand firm” and to keep a “strong grip” on the Word of God that he had taught them. Standing firm on God’s Word we build our life on its gospel truth and instruction. Keeping a strong grip on the Word, we cling to

“Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence to hear what he is really saying?” (Jeremiah 23:18a NLT).

October 13, 2019

DO YOU HAVE A PASTOR WHO SPENDS TIME IN GOD’S PRESENCE BEFORE HE PREACHES? The prophet Jeremiah spoke on the Lord’s behalf against those prophets in Judah who were promising peace and safety when the Lord was warning against coming judgment. Here it took the form of a rhetorical question that begs a negative response:

“Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a NLT).

October 12, 2019

EVERY MONTH SHOULD BE PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH The apostle Paul instructed the Thessalonian believers to honor those who are leaders in the Lord’s work. The word “honor” means to show appropriate respect, recognizing their worth and giving them what they are worth. The word “honor” also implies financial support, as Paul instructed Timothy, “Elders who

“…you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9b NLT).

October 9, 2019

WORSHIP IS WAR! The apostle Paul commended the Thessalonian believers for turning from idolatry to the worship of the true and living God. They did this by receiving the message of the Gospel with joy, so that they gladly placed their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior.   We think that we are too

“I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course” (Jeremiah 10:23 NLT).

October 8, 2019

ARE YOU TRYING TO BE THE OWNER AND CONTROLLER OF YOUR LIFE? British poet, William Ernest Henley, concluded his poem “Invictus” with these words: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” His words capture the essence of what sin is. For sin, at its core, is an attitude

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15a NLT).

October 7, 2019

LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST UMPIRE YOUR HEART Paul said that we are to let the peace of Christ “rule.” The Greek word for rule is βραβευέτω (brabeuetō). It literally means to “umpire, arbitrate, to let make the call.” When our circumstances appear to overwhelm us, we are to let the peace, the “shalom,” of

“So you also are complete through your union with Christ” (Colossians 2:10a NLT).

October 6, 2019

DO YOU FEEL SOMETHING IS MISSING IN YOUR LIFE? In contrast to the emptiness of the world’s wisdom, Paul taught that believers are “complete” (“full to capacity”) through their union with Christ. This is not the same as the command to “be filled,” but a truth to know. Those who are united with Christ have