Mostrando resultados por autor "F. Wayne Mac Leod" en Todas las categorías

This is a commentary on the Parable fo the Lost Sheep as told by Jesus in Luke 15:3-7. In reality it is a revelation of God's heart for those who have struggled in their faith, fallen into sin or who have found themselves out of fellowship with His people. The parable is not so much about a lost sheep as it is about a shepherd and what He does to find that sheep and restore it to the fold. In this Shepherd, we find a powerful example of what God expects of us as His people as we rub shoulders with the lost sheep of our day.

Often unnoticed, the gatekeepers of the temple guarded the entrance of the temple from defilements and impurities, faithfully administered the financial matters and maintained the temple property. They were the backbone of temple worship, assuring that the Lord their God was honoured and respected in the place set aside for His name.These men of faith teach us much about God and what He requires. In an age where the influences of the world are becoming more and more accepted in the church, we would do well to listen carefully to the gatekeepers of our day.

There is no doubt that that King James Version of the Bible has had more impact on the life of the English speaking church than any other translation. Since 1611 it has been the vehicle through which God has chosen to reveal His truth to the English speaking world. While it has been greatly admired by English speakers for centuries, most believers to not know its history. This booklet takes an objective look at the history behind the translation of the King James Version of the Bible and the issues surrounding its decline in our century. The author maintains throughout a high regard for the...

Jesus was tempted in every way like you and I are tempted. Though He was fully God He endured the temptation of Satan. Throughout His temptation in Luke 4:1-13, Jesus maintained His integrity by holding firm against all Satan threw at Him. Because He was tempted as we are, He is able to understand what we face. He is also a powerful example for us of how to overcome the temptations and testing that comes our way. The secret to His victory was the Word of God and the power of the Spirit of God. These tools are available to us today as well. Jesus shows us the power in these tools over the ...

There is a race marked out for every believer. That race is not always an easy one. There will be obstacles on the path and tamptations to overcome. Hebrews 12:1-3 is an inspiration to those who desire to walk in obedience to the call of God on their lives. Here in these simple verses we are reminded of men and women who have gone before us testifying to the power and faithfulness of the Lord God who leads us in the race. We are challenged to watch out for the obstacles and hindrances on the path before us and encouraged to consider the Lord Jesus as our example and inspiration.

As a modern people, we value freedom. Often the freedom we claim, however, holds us in bondage. What is true freedom? Can true freedom ever be experienced outside of submission to God and His purpose? Does freedom imply a release from all authority and the right to do as we please? The Bible has some important things to say about true freedom. What we often consider to be freedom is actually a slavery to sin and its passions. Unrestrained liberty can never give us true freedom. Only in submission to God and His purpose can the freedom we were meant to experience become a reality.

There was never a man or woman who walked as close to God as did Moses. Here was a man who spend days in the presence of God. He spoke with God face to face as we would speak with a friend. His life was filled with miraculous evidence of God's presence. What type of person was he? He was a man like you and me. He was far from perfect. He suffered from periods of discouragement in life. He often doubted whether he was the man for the job. He as not always the father he should have been. It was through this man, however, that God would unfold His great purpose for His people. This study takes...

Simon of Cyrene is an obscure Bible character who had a tremendous role to play at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus. Three out of the four gospels mention his name and the fact that he carried the cross of Jesus, but there is little else known about him.Hidden in the few verses of Scripture mentioning his name are some interesting details about the work that Jesus carried out that day. Simon’s role was not only to minister to the Lord Jesus by carrying the cross but also to show us something about the work He accomplished that day. The goal of this short study on the person of Simon ...

Contentment is an art to be learned but one with which we often struggle in our Christian life. In this brief look at this important virtue, you will see that true contentment has often been misunderstood. You will discover thta conttnement is solidly rooted in humble submission to God and His purposes. This study will challenge you to examine your own life. Its goal is to help you to learn to rest in God's wonderful purpose and plan, for in this alone, can you truly be content.

Ephesians 2:8-10 is one of the most familiar passages in the New Testament. In these verses, the apostle Paul speaks about salvation, grace, faith, works and being created in Christ Jesus. All these terms and concepts can be confusing. The goal of this study is to bring greater clarity to these notions and show how they apply to us today. In essence, the apostle Paul tells us that the salvation God offers is a free gift provided to all who place their faith and confidence in what the Lord Jesus did on the cross. It is not something we can earn by our efforts or good works. While this ...

Psalm 127:1-2 speaks powerfully to a hard working people who find themselves living as if everything depends on their efforts. It challenges those who toss and turn on their beds at night trying to find human solutions to the problems they face. It is a reminder to us that the God who created us is also active in the events of our daily lives. These two verses encourage us to pause for a moment in the busyness of our lives to remind ourselves that the God who created us and allows our circumstances is also working to accomplish His purposes in us.

The region of Babylon plays an important role in the Bible. There are hints of this great nation from Genesis to Revelation. It is much more than the enemy nation of the Old Testament Jewish nation, however. Babylon has come to represent an even greater and more subtle enemy that continues to cause believers to stumble even in our day. In this study, we will examine the influence of Babylon in the lives of believers from Genesis to Revelation and apply this to the church of our day. This study is devotional in nature and designed to help believers not only to understand the philosophy of ...

Have you ever looked at your spiritual gifts and talents and wondered if they were of any use to the Lord? The Parable of the Tiny Seed is a short story that will be appreciated by both adults and children alike. It recounts the tale of a lonely and discarded apple seed that was used by the Master. This simple story shows how even the simplest believer can be mightily used by God.

We are all influenced by what we see around us. Our conception of the ideal couple is founded, in part, on what we see in other relationships. In this study, we will look at the lives of twelve marriages in the Bible. They are couples like you and me. They faced temptations like you and me. Some of them succeeded in overcoming those temptations. Others fell prey to them. The goal of these twelve simple reflections is to encourage you in your own married life. You will see dangers to be avoided and examples to follow. What is important is that you let the Lord guide you through these ...

When sinners meet the Saviour something happens. They are forced to re-examine their lives and priorities. They come to see life through new eyes. They are changed. The Gospel of John is filled with stories of encounters between Jesus and regular people of His day. Each of these encounters is unique and has somethng to teach us about what it means to follow the Lord Jesus. In this study we will examine a variety of these encounters in a way that will challenge you in your own relationship with Jesus. May it be an inspiration to you in your walk with the Saviour.

Some of the most important teaching in the Bible about salvation and victorious Christian living is found in Romans 5-8. In this passage, the apostle Paul details the plan of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the inner work of the Spirit. Paul shows us the purpose of the triune God in planning, securing and enabling His children to obtain and live triumphantly in the wornderful salvation offered them. The attempt of this study is to reveal the plan of God for salvation and forgiveness and His means for living in the fulness of that salvation.

"Our God Reigns." This is a statement of praise and worship to a God who has absolute authority, right and control over the events that take place in this world. The doctrine of the sovereignty of God is one of the most encouraging of all Bible doctrines. Because God is sovereign, I have hope to face each day with all its obstacles and trials. Because He is sovereign, I can be assured that even though I have made a mess of my life there is someone who can use every broken piece to create something beautiful. There is meaning to all that takes place. Our God Reigns takes a practical look at ...

"When you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do," said Jesus to His disciples in Matthew 6:7. This is given as a command by our Lord but there is much confusion over what He meant by "empty phrases" or "vain repetitions." The attempt of this brief study is to look at the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:7-8 in an attempt to understand what He meant by not heaping up empty phrases in prayer. This is not a study of prayer in general but rather a study of this one aspect of prayer. It is the authors goal to bring some clarity and application to this important command of the Lord ...

What happens to those who die? •What does the Scripture teach about life after death? •When does the resurrection take place? While there are many unanswered question on this topic, the attempt of this study in to summarize the teaching of the Old Testament saints, Jesus and the apostle on this subject. The truth of the resurrection is not only a central teaching of the Scriptures but one which is essential to our faith. If is evidence of the effectiveness of the work of Christ on our behalf and hope of eternal life in His presence. I trust that this simple teaching will be a blessing ...

This is a study of the relenting nature of God's heart. I have come to appreciate the great truth of God's sovereignty and unchangeable nature. This, however, does not mean that things in life can never change. God is not inflexible. Blessings can be restored where cursing was decreed. Unused gifts can be stripped away. Judgement can be replaced with pardon. There is a certain flexibility in the purpose of God. My experience of God and that purpose can vary. Prayer and faithfulness can bring great change in our lives. The relenting heart of God is a source of great comfort and hope but it ...