Matthew 28:5 “The angel said, ‘Do not be afraid for I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.’ ” Observation: Jesus had been crucified two days earlier and buried in a tomb. The two Marys…Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and John…had sat opposite...

1 Thessalonians 2:16 “ … in this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.” Observation: Paul is writing to the Thessalonian church to encourage new believers toward maturity and to hearten mature believers to trust in and look forward to Christ’s sure return....

Philippians 3:15–16 “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” Observation: Paul had a few verses earlier written, “I want to know Christ and the power of His...

2 Samuel 9:7 “‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’” Observation: After serving...

Ephesians 3:14 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family on earth derives its name.” Observation: By this mid-point in the book of Ephesians, language tumbles from Paul’s pen in a veritable torrent of rejoicing in all that Christ has...

Mark 14:13–15 “And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, ‘Where is My guest room in which I may eat...

Luke 7:23 “And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.” Observation: John the Baptist is in prison and is about to be beheaded by evil King Herod and his wife Herodius. Knowing his life was nearing its end, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the one...

Acts 13:17, 19, 20–22 “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers ... and with an uplifted arm He led them out from Egypt ... He destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan ... He gave them judges ... He gave them Saul ... He raised up David to be their king.”...

Leviticus 23:1 “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: “These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.”’” Observation: All of Leviticus 23 is given to a description of the...

Leviticus 18:3 “You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in Canaan, where I am bringing you” (NIV). Observation: Thus begins one in a long list of chapters in which God detailed rules to live by, with this chapter...