September 15, 2024
If Blood Could Talk
Jesus’ blood speaks a “better” word than Abel’s, for Abel’s blood cried out to God for retribution. Jesus’ blood speaks of redemption, of grace and mercy; it announces the good news of God’s forgiveness.
Articles for tag: Hebrews 12
September 11, 2023
September 17 | The Friends Speak
Not only did the wife admire her husband, and not only did the husband describe his wife, but the friends of the couple also spoke about the couple’s love for one another. . . .
July 10, 2023
July 16 | Hope in God’s Loving-Kindness
Jeremiah 31 is clearly one of the high-water marks of the Old Testament. The new covenant is announced toward the end of the chapter; its text is quoted at length in Hebrews 8:7-13. But a bit earlier in the chapter is a messianic verse . . .
January 23, 2023
Sharing a Meal, Sharing a Life
Taking Communion is a very personal matter, but it is also a shared meal . . .
November 17, 2022
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Natural Thanksgiving’ (2007)
"Why is the American Thanksgiving celebration characterized more by indulgence than gratitude?" editor Mark A. Taylor asked in 2007.
November 1, 2022
Thankful . . . in All Circumstances
What the Bible Teaches Us About Unwavering Gratitude
December 9, 2021
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘There Is Peace on Earth’ (1941)
Here is a front-page Christmas editorial that appeared two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and America’s entry into World War II.
November 22, 2021
Nov. 28 | Join the Ranks of the Faithful
The writer of Hebrews encouraged readers not to give up, to look to faithful examples, and to consider Jesus. Therein we can join the ranks of the faithful.
November 1, 2021
Nov. 7 | Hold Firm to the End
A heart that becomes hard can all too quickly become unbelieving. A hard heart can test the Lord, but an unbelieving heart can cause a person to turn away from God.
September 20, 2021
Sept. 26 | Jesus Is Mediator of a Superior Covenant
Jesus is the ultimate mediator, and he mediates a superior covenant, between heaven and earth.
August 3, 2021
#Faust25: ‘Who Puts Fun in the Funeral?’
When my friends and relatives gather to mourn my passing, I hope they shed some tears. It would be a shame if no one missed me. But I hope they laugh, too.
February 22, 2021
Feb 28 | Application
By David Faust In August 1960 I had a close encounter with John F. Kennedy. It happened during a family vacation to Washington, D.C. I was 6 years old and JFK was a senator running for president of the United States. Our country was less security conscious then; there was easier access to government leaders. I was standing with my parents and my brothers on the steps outside the Capitol when JFK walked out. I still have a photo that shows one of my older brothers and my dad listening while Senator Kennedy chatted casually with the group standing there.
December 21, 2020
He’s Got Your Back (Dec. 27 Lesson Application)
This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Dec. 27, 2020: Fulfilled through Hope (Matthew 12:1-23) ________ By David Faust Last December 31 when we celebrated the New Year, I told my wife, “2019 has been rough, but I have a good feeling about 2020. It’s going to be a great year!” Clearly, I don’t have the gift of prophecy. The year 2020 brought a global pandemic, racial strife, economic upheaval, and political turmoil. Someone joked that in the future 2020 will become a one-word catchphrase to describe a big mess. When asked, “How was your day?” you can
November 22, 2020
A Biblical Case for Noncompliance
How We Chose to Deal with the Restrictions and Mandates Placed on Us by State and Local Governments “I had some serious thoughts of suicide in December. I was making headway with the help of my mental health classes and church, then both were taken away from me. Now, with nowhere else to physically go, I’m struggling.” This was a direct message from a church member who reached out to me for help during the coronavirus pandemic. This precious believer was struggling, lost, hurting, and losing hope. It crushed me because I felt helpless to do anything about it. I’m
June 14, 2020
Church & State: Our Relationship with Governing Authorities and How We Respond to Their Commands
(An earlier version of this article was posted at our website in April. This is the version that appeared in our July 2020 print edition.) By Rusty Russell Should we have canceled church during the COVID-19 pandemic? What if the virus rebounds and we are asked to cancel again? What if there’s a less serious pandemic in the future? Will we be asked to cancel the next time there’s a flu outbreak? I was discouraged by how many Christians—even church leaders—quickly made judgments about church closings based on whether they watch Fox News or CNN rather than what God would
April 28, 2020
COVID-19: Guidelines for Closing and Reopening the Church
Editor’s Note: This article was written for and will appear in our July issue, which will deal with politics and the church. We’ve decided the article will most benefit our readers now, however. We hope it helps you wisely plan as you make significant decisions over the next several weeks and months. _ _ _ By Rusty Russell Should we have canceled church during the COVID-19 pandemic? What if churches reopen, the virus rebounds, and we are asked to cancel again? What if there’s a less serious pandemic in the future? Will we be asked to cancel the next time
September 10, 2019
Blood and Victory
By Stuart Powell An 8-year-old girl had tried for months to learn to ride a bicycle. Finally, while visiting her cousins one day, she succeeded. Unable to contain her excitement, she ran to her mother shouting, “I know how to ride a bike! I know how to ride a bike!” The mom beamed. And then she saw blood covering part of her daughter’s foot. The girl had cut her toe on a curb while trying to avoid a bush. The concerned mom began asking questions about the foot and the blood, but the daughter ignored the concerns. “I’m OK!” she
December 16, 2018
‘The Gospel Comes with a House Key’
What the Holy Family Teaches Us about Hospitality By Matt Proctor My wife, Katie, has the gift of hospitality. With six kids, our house isn’t always clean, but it’s always open. Katie’s smile, fun red chairs, and paper plates have welcomed hundreds of people. Me? I’m not so good at it. I’m a professional extrovert but a personal introvert. I interact happily with lots of people in my work, but at the end of the day, I want to pull in my driveway, pull up the drawbridge, and enjoy some alone time. Also: I’m not always good at welcoming
October 14, 2018
Leadership Insights from the Trail
By Michael C. Mack I’ve learned many leadership principles while riding my bikes. I try to ride either my road bike or mountain bike several times a week with a group of friends, and while my main goal is physical fitness and fun, I’ve also adapted several cycling lessons to spiritual leadership. Here are two that both deal with the importance of vision. Keep Your Eyes on the Trail A vital principle in mountain biking is to keep your eyes on the trail rather than what’s not on the trail. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Yet many people make
November 13, 2017
Lesson for November 19, 2017: Mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 12:14, 15, 18-29)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 12, 2017. issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Technically a covenant (or testament) is not a book; it is an agreement in a relationship. And relationships change due more to people than events. This in no way denigrates the event of the cross, which signaled the change of covenant (Hebrews 9:16). But is the cross the key to the covenant shift or
