Scripture Snippets

  Proverbs 28:13 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. As one of the many warnings in Scripture, Proverbs 28:13 urges God’s people to practice repentance since “whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper” (ESV). But many of us hesitate to comply, since it’s not easy to look at our sin, renounce it, and muster the courage to turn away. The good news is that the proverb finishes by promising, “But he who confesses and forsakes [his wrongdoings] will obtain mercy.” This is the part of repentance we tend to forget: that God doesn’t expect us to do the work without Him, and His presence and compassion are constantly available (Isaiah 41:10). In other words, before we even begin to repent—when we first feel even the smallest inkling of guilt—we can ask the Lord for grace to start. Or, anytime we feel afraid to confront sin, we can request the courage to look inside. And if we’re not ready to turn and walk towards Je...

  Matthew 13:18-23 18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Two people sitting in the same pew and listening to the same message can respond in totally different ways. The determinin...

  Revelation 19:11-21 , Revelation 20:1-6 The return of Jesus Christ is a vital part of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. That’s why the event was foretold by prophets, proclaimed by angels, and taught by Jesus and the apostles. In fact, more Old Testament passages are devoted to Christ’s second coming than to His first. And in the New Testament, the Lord mentions His return more frequently than He speaks of His death.  The second coming defeats Satan’s earthly reign and establishes Christ’s kingdom of peace and righteousness in its place. Saints from all the ages will be gathered together to reign with the Lord. And the Father wants us to be excited and hopeful about Jesus’ return, recognizing it as the culmination of His plan for the world. In order to keep our hope alive, Scripture tells us what to expect, though we don’t know the exact timing. Are you eagerly anticipating Christ’s return, or do you seldom think about it? The apostle John warns us not to love the world or...

  In Matthew 23, Jesus had just concluded his woes to the scribes and the Pharisees.  It was a stark condemnation against their teachings and a call for repentance.  While Jesus preached with authority and the firmness of a just king, this still took a toll on the Savior’s heart.  In Matthew 23:37-39, Jesus cries out in heartbreak saying how He wants to save those of Jerusalem.  These same vultures who killed the prophets and elevated themselves above God.  Again, our Savior’s heart is indeed that none should perish but that all come to repentance. We begin chapter 24 with Jesus leaving the temple with the disciples and going up to the Mount of Olives which overlooks the city.  The disciples, being Jewish was in awe of the architecture of the city and the beauty of the temple.  Christ shocks the disciples by prophesying that the temple would be destroyed and not one stone would be left upon another.  This prophecy became true in 70 A.D. when ...

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. One of the most exciting and compelling prophetic events described in the Bible is the rapture of the church. It will occur instantaneously and without warning. Suddenly, millions of people wi...