Showing results for "Russell M Stendal" in Christian Living

A commentary on the gospel of John and the three epistles of John. The writings of John have a very special focus on God the Father. Many people who know Jesus, or claim to know him, have a limited or nonexistent personal knowledge of God the Father. It is, of course, essential for us to know Jesus, but his fervent desire is that we may also know the Father so intimately that we can ask him for whatsoever we will in Jesus’ name and our prayers may be granted.

The book of Job fits chronologically between Genesis and Exodus, describing events that took place more than 150 years before Moses wrote the Pentateuch. Job was the first book to be written in fully developed Hebrew, and it is undoubtedly one of the first books in the history of mankind. In the end Satan, along with his cruel tactics, subtle deception, and even his system for world domination is completely exposed. Much of the book, however, is written in code that is prophetic of what is happening and about to happen today.

The gospel of Mark speaks of the Son of God who will soon return and manifest an incorruptible kingdom that differs greatly from the kingdoms of men. When Jesus said that his kingdom is not of this world, some were very disillusioned. They did not understand that Jesus came to announce a very different kingdom, which he started by planting an incorruptible word (for he is the living word of God).

Have you ever been hated? While many Christians know only freedom and safety, others do not. Your freedom isn’t guaranteed. In fact, Matthew 10:22 says we will be hated because of Christ. Do you have what it takes to be hated and still follow the Lord’s commandment to love your enemies? The Lord will soon return for a bride having not spot or wrinkle or any such thing. To be that bride, our flesh must be submitted to the Lord’s chastening, which may come through the hands of men.

Peter made all the classical, Christian mistakes. He spoke before thinking, lacked faith, and even denied the Lord Jesus Christ. But Peter had a moldable, open heart, and the Lord knew it. All the mistakes Peter made helped him understand what other Christians face, and his writings both warn and encourage readers today. Too many of today’s religious entities and Christian individuals are functioning on spiritual autopilot, rarely pausing to pray in earnest and seek the Lord’s will for their lives.