John 12:1 “Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.” Observation: John 11 leaves us watching all Israel preparing for Passover. Chapter 12 begins with a description of events in Bethany...

John 4:39 “Many of the Samaritans … believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony” (NIV). Observation: This passage follows the lengthy description of Christ’s meeting the Samaritan woman at the well. In the end she became a trumpet of good news, encouraging others...

Hebrews 12:27 “And this expression, ‘Yet once more,’ denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.” Observation: Paul filled this chapter with good advice for living, and he...

1 Timothy 5:3 “Honor widows who are widows indeed.” Observation: Paul here gives counsel regarding widows within the church. He draws a distinction between younger widows whom he advises to remarry if possible, and widows above the age of sixty. Each widow, he says,...

1 Timothy 4:4 “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude.” Observation: Paul wrote his letter to Timothy more as a coach than an evangelist. Still, in this passage I see his devotion to consistent themes that...

Colossians 2:11–12 “And in Him you were circumcised by a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working...

Philippians 2:20 “For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.” Observation: Paul was an exhorter. Most of his letter to the Philippians was to stir them to greater zeal, encouraging them in their walk, affirming them in...

Ephesians 6:13 “Having done everything, … stand firm.” Observation: Beginning with Ephesians 6:10, Paul focused on how to achieve full protection from attacks of the enemy: by putting on the full armor of God against Satan’s schemes. Then Paul said this: “Take up the...

Romans 10:13 “For whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Observation: The middle chapters of Romans find Paul using a rich variety of metaphors to describe those who are God’s versus those who are not; those who cleave to Him, and those who do not;...

Romans 14:5 “Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind.” Observation: In Romans 14, Paul focused on the importance of not judging one another in areas of permissible freedom, but to encourage one another in the faith. He said that heaven is far greater than a...