Ephesians 5:25-27 – “…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

The Bible teaches that Jesus gave his life on Calvary for the sake of a church that is “radiant” (NIV) or “glorious” (KJV). This church is not just a religious organization, or a Christian ministry. It is a living entity, holy, cleansed from sin and impurity. It is Jesus’ bride. Yet there are many “churches,” denominations, and Christian organizations that do not fit the description here. There is a difference between a “religion” (i.e., Christianity) and a radiant or glorious church.

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Exodus 21:5-6 - “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.”

This talks about servants or slaves in the Old Testament, but illustrates how we become the Lord’s servants today.  There is a similar passage in Deuteronomy 15:16-17.  Israelites had to release any Hebrew slaves or servants after seven years.  Even so, the servant could remain in the position permanently if he wanted to. The original languages of the Bible do not have differentiated terms for “slave” and “servant” as we do in English.   continue

Matthew 24:46 -  ”…It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”    

Each week or month that passed brings us closer to our Blessed Hope, the coming of our Lord Jesus.  We feel that we must make the most of the time we have remaining (see Ephesians 5:16).  Time is running out for us to carry out everything the Lord wants us to do, and for those around us to receive the blessing of salvation through Christ.    

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Luke 16:2 - “So he called him in and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you?  Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’” 

OWNERS: When we own something, we can use it however we want.  We get all the benefits from our own property.  If we destroy or use up our own property, we feel the loss.  Most people avoid making decisions that result in the loss or destruction of their own property – people are usually careful with their own belongings.   continue

Psalm 91:1 - He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

This verse has two halves with three words each in the original Hebrew.  This parallel structure, listed in columns above, is very common in Hebrew poetry.   Each word in the first half of the verse has a corresponding word in the second half to compare/contrast (this literary device is also seen throughout the book of Proverbs).   Note that in verse 1 & 2 of this Psalm, four different names for God are used: Elyon (Most High), Shaddai (Almighty, All-powerful); Yahweh (“I am” or the Lord); and Elohim (God).

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