Showing results by author "James King" in All Categories

“God is light.” This means we can always count on him to overcome evil with good. Having assurance of our salvation in Christ equips us to stand firm in the face of evil. This letter points Christians back to the Gospel. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” It encourages believers to live obedient lives in light of the salvation they have in Christ.

Do you ever feel like evil is prevailing in your life and that God is silent? The life of Daniel proves that God is more powerful than we often assume he is. While under the Babylonian rulers, Daniel and his three fellow Judeans are being challenged for their faith. In the middle of every trial, however, God always comes through. In the final chapters of this book, Daniel prophesies about the endtimes, including the "seventy weeks prophecy".

Humans are prone to amnesia. We easily forget what God has done for us because of an inward focus on ourselves. The Israelites did just this. They forgot about the miraculous things God had done to unite them to himself. In turn they abandoned God's way: "...Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6). In Judges we learn that God keeps his promises despite the sinfulness of his people.

The word Gospel means "good news", and this is just what the Apostle Mark shares with us in the second book of the New Testament. Mark tells us that Jesus has two natures: fully divine and fully man. Jesus was human with emotions, and yet he was also God in the flesh. But why did God need to become man? Why did he lower himself when he is the highest in the universe? Listen to the Gospel of Mark as he gives us the answers to these questions.

The Apostle Paul is imprisoned for Christ, yet he writes his most joy-filled letter yet. Writing to the church in Philippi, Paul gives countless pieces of encouragement. He commends the people for their support and tells them he is sure that "...he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). Listen as the apostle tells us to rejoice in the Lord and press forward with our eyes fixed on Christ.

The apostle Peter writes to churches pertaining to the false teachers and opposition among them. His letter is a reminder that God's grace is not only pardon but also power to live righteously in the face of opposition. Because we have the Holy Spirit, we can pursue holiness, bear fruit, and deny false teachers. Peter's exhortations are an encouragement to remain steadfast and firm in the faith.

When all of the men in her family die, Ruth is left a widow, and her mother-in-law, Naomi, is left helpless. Ruth, a very loyal daughter-in-law, decides to stay with Naomi, hunting for food to help them survive. The widow unexpectedly meets a wealthy man named Boaz, who takes an interest in her. Could this man be God’s rescue plan for Ruth and Naomi?

While there is suffering, evil, sickness, and death in this world, the book of Joel reminds us that we have an everlasting hope through it all. Joel warns the people of Judah as a horrifying locust plague has come upon them. He urges the people to repent and return to God, predicting that this is just the beginning of their judgment. Thankfully Joel's prophecies do not end there.

The second book of Samuel paints a portrait of Israel's greatest king. King David had many military triumphs and was richly blessed by God. Despite this, even David was prone to fall into temptation. In this book we can grow in knowledge of sin and its consequences. More importantly we can better understand how our merciful God still wants to use us in his redemption plan.

After admonishing believers in Corinth for their sinful ways and abuse of grace, Paul writes a second letter, commending them for their positive response to his first letter. He expresses his joy in hearing that they've repented and embraced his teachings. Paul then goes on to encourage believers to "...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Listen as he reminds the church at Corinth that God has made them a new creation in Christ.

Paul protests against the perversion of the Gospel. Many are teaching the Galatians that they can be justified by works, and, as a result, they’ve abandoned the truth. Listen to the book of Galatians and rest in the fact that we are justified by grace through faith.

As Christians we have a hope that withstands all trouble. In fact while many strive to avoid suffering, believers can actually rejoice in it. Why? Because God will vindicate his people. We can rest in God's salvation now and look forward to the day he will bring full redemption. This letter, written by the Apostle Peter, points us to Christ in times of tribulation and encourages us to persevere in the midst of suffering.

Many called Jeremiah the "Weeping Prophet" and, as shown in this book, he has every reason to mourn. Jeremiah's ministry is primarily concerned with preaching the word of God to an idolatrous people. When he comes to realize the Israelites' refusal to repent, Jeremiah begins to describe a future judgment. Interestingly enough, even today the words of this prophet provide us with a study of our own sinfulness.

God tells Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh, a ruthless and idolatrous nation. Jonah, a prophet who does not like the Assyrians, wants Nineveh to be destroyed. Instead of following God’s call, Jonah rebels and sails in the opposite direction, deliberately fleeing from God. Stubborn Jonah ends up in the belly of a fish. Listen to the story of this prophet as God disciplines him for his disobedience and teaches him that he loves all people, even the enemies of his chosen ones.

The apostle John shares with us his main goal: "...that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). John states that Jesus is the son of God whom the Father sent to us to accomplish something no one else could. Follow John as he prepares the way for the one who is the only way to eternal life.

The Israelites are returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. In many ways this story resembles the life of a Christian who repents from sin and rebellion and turns around to find God welcoming them into his unfailing love. The Book of Ezra is a record of hope for those who are weighed down with discouragement. No sin is too big for God’s grace.

The Israelites are becoming a unified nation under a king. The first two kings, Saul and David, are anointed by Samuel. Take a look into the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David as they experience struggles and reveal the many faults of the human condition, giving us a picture of our own humanity.

Imagine marching hundreds of miles across the wilderness in order to get to a land flowing with abundance, filled with lush meadows and beautiful flowers. In Numbers, the Israelites are headed to the "promised land” of Canaan. This journey may take longer than expected. Will they remain faithful to the God who brought them out of Egypt?

Filled with allegories and themes of the awesome majesty of God, the book of Ezekiel is both painful and rewarding. The difficulties in reading this book derive from Ezekiel’s prophecies of judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. The comfort, however, exceeds the painful parts. The book closes with a glimmer of hope for the Jews as the prophet depicts the restoration that is to come.

In Ephesians, Paul gives us a detailed description of Church members' relationship to Christ. The apostle is writing to strengthen the churches of Ephesus. He tells them, "In him [Jesus] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22) This reminds us that we are all part of the "body" of Christ, his Church. Listen to Paul, and be encouraged about your role in redemptive history.