Recent Events “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates” (Genesis 15:18). — Matt Kerry The Euphrates River extends in a 1,740-mile-long southeasterly arc from about 350 miles north of Israel to about 930 miles to its east. It originates in Turkey and empties into the Persian Gulf. The border of the land promised to Abraham, “from the […]
Life-Changing Dreams “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream” (Jeremiah 23:28). — Matt Kerry Some events in our lives change us permanently. Pleasant events may be so joyous that we never forget the peace and gratitude that welled up. On the other hand, memories of unpleasant experiences often bring back emotional or physical pain and injury that give us pause. There is a third type of experience that only God’s people share: spiritual revelations. For those who have […]
The Spirit of the Law “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts, not your garments” (Joel 2:12‑13 ESV). — Matt Kerry God wanted Israel to love Him. He wanted them to understand His purposes, the reasons for His laws, and the effect that sacrifices were supposed to have on their hearts. Instead, they viewed God’s laws as a series of traditions, and many persisted in aiming to achieve worldly success. In […]
Faith, the Foundation “The righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17, ESV). By Matt Kerry God appreciates those who love and trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-10). They are precious in His sight (Psalms 116:15). As their lives and wills are submitted to God, He develops in them an abiding faith. The Apostle Paul and James describe the importance of both faith and works. Faith is vital. But true faith is accompanied by works that demonstrate faith. Thus, James observes, “faith without works is […]
“Thou shalt not Commit Adultery” (Exodus 20:14). By Matt Kerry In Deuteronomy 6:7, God instructed Israel concerning the statutes and commandments of the Law. “Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (ASV). If commandment number seven was solely to avoid committing the act of adultery, it would be a short conversation. But Israel […]