What is a Christian to do when wronged by someone--someone who has now become a Christian? The apostle Paul addresses this very matter in a short letter sent to a man named Philemon.
How do we conduct ourselves once we leave the church building? How do we treat people? Does our conduct reflect the truth we profess? In this last chapter of Titus, the apostle Paul challenges us with regard to our life in the world.
Sound doctrine consistently taught and applied produces godly conduct. This is why all members of the church must be taught, not only what God expects of them, but also the doctrinal foundation and motivation for that conduct. This is the task Paul puts before Titus and us.
We cannot effectively guard the true doctrine of Christ against the onslaught of false teaching without being thoroughly grounded in the Bible. And the key to developing a biblical foundation is godly, biblically qualified church leaders. This is Paul's emphasis in Titus 1.
The apostle Paul knows he will soon die. The converted persecutor of the church can now confidently say he has finished the race and kept the faith. His final words to Timothy offer some insight into the priorities we should all have in life.
Difficult times are certain to come. The Bible makes that clear. It also prepares us for them by telling us what to expect and how we can stand firm in the midst of them.
In 2 Timothy 2, we find the nearest thing in Scripture to a job description for a pastor. Using vivid images from life, the apostle Paul tells us what a pastor should be and do.
As he is approaching the end of life, the apostle Paul writes his second letter to Timothy. In this opening chapter of 2 Timothy, he stresses the necessity of guarding the truth of the gospel and standing firm in it without shame or embarrassment.
In the face of false teaching and the constant temptations of pride and greed, it is critical that we examine our motives, our walk with the Lord, and our ministry to others. Paul addresses these matters in his closing words in 1 Timothy.
Believers are God's children, and Christ's church is a family. All of us, and especially leaders in the church, need to treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ who are worthy of our respect, love, and concern.
Psalm 51 records David’s heartfelt confession after his sin with Bathsheba, and Stephen Davey explains it as a model of genuine repentance. He begins with David’s petition—a plea for mercy based on God’s steadfast love. Aware of the weight of his guilt, David asks God to blot out his transgressions, wash away his iniquity, and cleanse him from sin. The second step is admission: David accepts full responsibility, refusing to blame others and acknowledging his fallen nature. His sin, he admits, flows from the sinful heart of humanity inherited from Adam. Next comes restoration: David pleads, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” recognizing that only divine power can renew what sin has corrupted. Finally, his resolution is to teach others from his failure—to lead sinners back to God through honesty and repentance. Davey concludes that true confession involves humble honesty, complete dependence on God’s mercy, and a transformed resolve to live transparently before Him, proving that no sin is too great for God’s restoring grace.
In The Voice of Creation (Psalm 19:1–8a), Stephen Davey contrasts Carl Sagan’s hopeless view of a silent universe with David’s joyful proclamation that creation declares the glory of God. Davey explains that the heavens continually reveal God’s signature, wisdom, and grace—a universal testimony to His power and creativity. The beauty, complexity, and order of nature point unmistakably to a Designer, but this general revelation alone cannot save; it must be joined with the special revelation of God’s Word. David moves from calling God El (Creator) to Yahweh (personal Redeemer), showing that Scripture revives the soul, makes the simple wise, and causes the heart to rejoice. Davey concludes that while creation proves God’s existence, His Word reveals His character and plan of redemption. Believers, therefore, should worship the Creator revealed both in the world around us and in the inspired Word that leads us back to Him.
Psalms 42–44 open the second book of Psalms, where Stephen Davey explains that God invites believers to pour out their hearts to Him with complete honesty. The sons of Korah—descendants of a rebel who chose faithfulness—wrote of spiritual dryness and discouragement: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Davey notes that even when God seems silent, He is never absent. These psalms teach believers to trust and wait for the Lord, declaring, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” In Psalm 44, this personal trust expands to national suffering as Israel endures consequences for sin yet clings to God’s covenant faithfulness. Paul later cites this psalm to remind believers that suffering is not abandonment but evidence of spiritual maturity. Through these lessons, Davey encourages believers to be honest with God, steadfast in hope, and confident that even in dry seasons, God remains their salvation and strength.
This lesson from Deuteronomy 16–26 emphasizes God's righteousness as the standard for all of life. Moses reviews the importance of righteous leadership—judges, kings, priests, and prophets—who are called to uphold justice and truth. God's laws are revisited to guide Israel in holy living, covering areas like inheritance, morality, and societal order. These commands act like protective boundaries, showing how a righteous person should live. Finally, Israel’s worship is tied to gratitude and public acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. The lesson encourages believers to live righteously, not just privately but visibly, so the world sees God's wisdom and character through them.
In Psalm 56, Stephen Davey portrays David as “flying in the dark,” surrounded by danger and fear but learning to trust God’s Word as his instrument panel. Hiding in Gath—the hometown of Goliath—David faced overwhelming threats, yet confessed, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Davey emphasizes that faith and fear often coexist; trusting God doesn’t remove fear but steadies the heart in it. He draws three principles from the psalm: God’s Word is always relevant and reliable in trouble, God Himself is fully aware of every step and sleepless night, and God is compassionate, collecting every tear in His bottle. Davey explains that just as ancient people kept tear bottles to express sorrow, God lovingly keeps record of every believer’s tears—proof that no pain is unnoticed. He concludes that one day, God will empty those bottles forever, wiping away every tear. Until then, believers can rest in His presence, knowing He sees, cares, and sustains them through every trial.
