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.
The apostle Paul recognizes the ongoing threat of error and apostasy. But in this fourth chapter of 1 Timothy, he also instructs us on how to avoid false teaching and establish a life devoted to godliness.
A church's effectiveness in serving Christ is tied to its leadership. This is why it is crucial that the church chooses leaders--overseers and deacons--who meet the qualifications set for them here in 1 Timothy 3.
Public worship is an essential element of the Christian faith. In the second chapter of 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul gives us some timeless instructions regarding our worship together as believers.
The one constant, irreplaceable characteristic of a true, Christ-honoring church is an unwavering commitment to the truth of God’s Word and all it teaches. The proclamation and preservation of sound doctrine are essential to fulfilling God's purpose for the church.
In the closing section of 2 Thessalonians, Paul reminds us of the importance of encouraging others even when we must correct them. He also emphasizes how critical it is that Christians honor the Lord through diligent, honest work so they do not become a burden to others.
The only certain knowledge we have about the future comes from the Bible. We must not let human predictions shake us from the promises of God to bring justice, peace, hope, and deliverance for His children.
God does not guarantee any of us a trouble-free life. However, by God's grace we can endure persecution and affliction, as we commit ourselves to growing in our faith and as we grasp the great truth that there is coming a time when God in righteousness will judge the wicked.
What God reveals in His Word about the future should not cause Christians anxiety. Rather, it should encourage us as we understand His plan for us, and it should motivate us to live exemplary Christian lives in light of what is coming upon this sinful world.
We live in a world of great uncertainty and anxiety. But as Christians we can take comfort in knowing the future is in God's hands and that He is leading it to its climax in the return of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us much about that great event in 1 Thessalonians 4.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Psalm 19:8b–14 teaches that God’s Word is flawless, enduring, and deeply valuable—more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. Unlike the temporary treasures of this world, Scripture enlightens the heart, exposes sin, renews fellowship with God, and guides believers in righteousness. David celebrates the Bible as a timeless revelation that cleanses, corrects, and delights those who cherish it, reminding readers to treasure and obey God’s Word as their greatest source of wisdom and joy.
