Showing results by narrator "David Cochran Heath" in All Categories

In light of Jesus' second coming, we should not be compelled to hide out until his return; rather, we should be actively participating in his restoration plan for the world as we wait in anticipation. Paul teaches the Thessalonians that the second coming should not paralyze believers from doing work for the kingdom. Instead it should motivate them to live in a way that is pleasing to God. We all have duties to complete before Jesus' return, so we should "...not grow weary in doing good" (2 Thes. 3:13).

This letter was written by Paul while he was imprisoned Rome. The apostle is experiencing persecution for his faith, but this is no surprise to him, nor is it stealing his hope. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:12). He is writing this letter to encourage Timothy, his coworker, to be strong in the Lord in spite of suffering. He calls on him to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, as we should all strive to be ourselves.

“God is light.” This means we can always count on him to overcome evil with good. Having assurance of our salvation in Christ equips us to stand firm in the face of evil. This letter points Christians back to the Gospel. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” It encourages believers to live obedient lives in light of the salvation they have in Christ.

After Jesus rose from the dead, he gave his Spirit to dwell within all who believe in him. The Holy Spirit is our counselor, leading, instructing, and equipping us. A sequel to the Gospel of Luke, this book gives a history of the early Church and provides a heavy emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. In many ways Acts serves as a transition from law keeping to grace and faith in Christ.

Just like in Galatians, Paul teaches the church in Colossae to beware of men who add unnecessary elements to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Anything added to the Gospel results in "no Gospel at all" (Gal. 1:7). The main reminder given in this book is that Jesus is king over all. This means that we must trust in him alone and not in "the tradition of men" (Col.2:8). Listen to Paul's letter to Colossae, and be reminded of the superiority of Jesus, who is our only hope.

John writes to a believer named Gaius urging him to continue walking in truth and love. Along with general instruction for Church leaders, the apostle warns about those who oppose the Gospel of Jesus Christ, specifically warning Gaius about a man named Diotrephes. An individual with selfish ambition that is never satisfied, Diotrephese is no different from much of the opposition we face today. Listen to John as he addresses this in his godly wisdom.

The day of the Lord is coming. This means total destruction of creation. Zephaniah’s message of judgment on all nations is not complete without his message of hope. God will vindicate the righteous, and he blesses those who repent and trust in him. Listen to the prophet Zephaniah, and be encouraged as we too wait for the final redemption in Christ’s second coming.

A plumb line and a basket of ripe fruit: two things the prophet Amos sees in visions. But what could these things symbolize? Listen to Amos, a lowly shepherd, as he warns the wealthy and religious Israelites about their idolatry and injustice to the poor. Could God be giving this prophet signs of the coming judgment?

Salvation from the Lord has no barriers. The prophet Zechariah teaches God’s people that the invitation of salvation goes out to all people, regardless of their nationalities. In this book the prophet foresees people from all over the world worshipping God. Listen to Zechariah as he scolds the people for their disobedience and tells of the future restoration of the faithful.

Matthew, a tax collector disliked by many people, was chosen by Jesus to be his apostle. He was one of the unlikeliest of men to be chosen but was nevertheless faithful in this important role. Matthew gives us an eyewitness account of the events in the life of Jesus. This apostle's main goal is to prove to the Jews that Jesus Christ is their long-awaited Messiah. Open your hearts and ears as the truth is revealed to you through the Gospel of Matthew.

The word Gospel means "good news", and this is just what the Apostle Mark shares with us in the second book of the New Testament. Mark tells us that Jesus has two natures: fully divine and fully man. Jesus was human with emotions, and yet he was also God in the flesh. But why did God need to become man? Why did he lower himself when he is the highest in the universe? Listen to the Gospel of Mark as he gives us the answers to these questions.

Humans are prone to amnesia. We easily forget what God has done for us because of an inward focus on ourselves. The Israelites did just this. They forgot about the miraculous things God had done to unite them to himself. In turn they abandoned God's way: "...Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6). In Judges we learn that God keeps his promises despite the sinfulness of his people.

False claims about Jesus have been made for centuries, even during Jesus' time on Earth. The Apostle Luke refutes many of the distorted reports about Jesus in this Gospel. He depicts to his listeners the true Christ: the Son of Man who has come to seek and save what is lost. Listen to the third Gospel and learn about our Lord Jesus, a friend of sinners, and what he freely offers us.

The Apostle Paul is imprisoned for Christ, yet he writes his most joy-filled letter yet. Writing to the church in Philippi, Paul gives countless pieces of encouragement. He commends the people for their support and tells them he is sure that "...he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). Listen as the apostle tells us to rejoice in the Lord and press forward with our eyes fixed on Christ.

The Israelites have not been pursuing holiness as they should be. Rebellious and sinful, the people are in need of a savior. The prophet Malachi plays an important role in Israelite history. God warns Israel through Malachi. He tells them to repent and speaks of future restoration, foreshadowing the coming Messiah. Listen to Malachi as he warns the people while still managing to remind them of God's endless love.

The prophet Micah scolds Israel and Judah for their idolatry and injustice to the poor. The Assyrians are about to invade, and the two Jewish nations will have to suffer for their sinfulness. Thankfully God's judgment is seasoned with mercy, and he will not break the covenant with his people. Watch as God comes through to preserve "the remnant of Israel" (Micah 2:12) despite their faithlessness.

The prophet Nahum cries out to Nineveh, hoping they will turn from their wicked ways. They listened to Jonah the first time by repenting and turning to God, but will the powerful and proud Nineveh listen to the warnings of Nahum a century later? This story teaches us that even the strength of a powerful city cannot hold out against God's power.

Edom was at odds with Israel ever since its forefather, Esau, had struggled in the womb with his twin brother, Jacob, the patriarch of Israel. After Edom played a role in the destruction of Jerusalem, the prophet Obadiah gives warning to the nation of their coming judgment, fulfilling God's promise from hundreds of years earlier: "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee" (Gen. 12:3).

Do you ever feel like evil is prevailing in your life and that God is silent? The life of Daniel proves that God is more powerful than we often assume he is. While under the Babylonian rulers, Daniel and his three fellow Judeans are being challenged for their faith. In the middle of every trial, however, God always comes through. In the final chapters of this book, Daniel prophesies about the endtimes, including the "seventy weeks prophecy".

An entire generation of faithless Israelites have come and gone, Moses has just died in the presence of the Lord, and now it's up to Joshua to lead the Israelites into victory. Journey with Joshua as he faces many obstacles on the quest to capture the Promised Land while remaining completely committed to God.