Posts by Alan Allegra (Page 4)

Hebrews, Day 4 JESUS CHRIST IS THE BEST “Minister of a Better Sanctuary” Hebrews 8 – 10 The high priest of a new covenant (Hebrews 8) The author of the book of Hebrews is in the midst of explaining to the Jews that Jesus Christ was the BEST and FINAL sacrifice for the sins of human beings. In His position as High Priest that was given to Him by God the Father, He is doing his priestly duties in heaven…

What’s So Good About Good Friday? “What makes Good Friday good?” you ask.  A challenge! A rather daunting task.  Some may dismiss it with a shrug and a smirk,  And consider it another day off work.  Others, religious, pious as such,  Take a few minutes for a mournful watch;  Merchants unlock their doors with glee,  Anticipating the pre-Easter shopping spree.  A bunny here, a chocolate egg there,  Symbols of a society that doesn’t care.  “Care?” you say, “Do you mean…

2 Corinthians, Day 9 SUFFERING AND JOY ARE TWO SIDES TO MINISTRY 2 Corinthians 12 – 13  Paul’s pleasure in weakness (12:1 – 13) Peter was chosen by God to bring the Gospel to the Jews. Paul was chosen by God to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles through an incredible outreach ministry. He had to be trained quickly and correctly directly by God. A crash course was needed in the new age (the church age) that was entered into…

2 Corinthians, Day 8 Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better 2 Corinthians 10 – 11 “Like most people, the Corinthians were slow to absorb the truth that divine standards differ radically from those of the world” (David K. Lowery, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Page 579). Paul was having a tough time with the Corinthian church. He had written to them four letters: a first Corinthians, then 1 Corinthians (which is actually the second Corinthian letter), then a third…

2 Corinthians, Day 7 An Open Hand II Corinthians 8 – 9 Key verses: 9:6 – 15 Today’s portion of II Corinthians deals with giving. Not just ordinary giving, but I believe it is sacrificial giving. Some people wonder why they should give at all. Does God really need the money we give? NO! If He did, Jesus never would have commended the poor widow who put a penny into the offering plate over the amount that the rich person…

2 Corinthians, Day 6 Godly Grief 2 Corinthians 6:11 – 7:6 “Godly grief is to sin what pain is to disease. A sensitive conscience is a gift of God, just like nerve endings that recoil from scalding water” (John Piper). I often have the privilege of meeting with couples preparing for marriage. It is an exciting season for an engaged couple and it is a privilege to be such a vital part of their preparation process. The first thing I…

My Motivation #4 (2 Corinthians 5) “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that…

2 Corinthians, Day 4 SUFFERING AND JOY ARE TWO SIDES TO MINISTRY “My Motivation #3” 2 Corinthians 4 What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal Paul shares with us through the Written Word his motivation behind preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ: God has provided mercy so he doesn’t lose heart in preaching the Word. We have removed all secret and shameful ways of presenting the Good News. By presenting the Gospel truthfully and plainly, we…

2 Corinthians, Day 2 2 Corinthians 2 Estrangement Is Strange for Believers “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother,…