by Matthew Borgstrom | Jun 1, 2026 | Uncategorized
Since we are commanded to crave the word of God in this text, our degree of craving can be used as a spiritual barometer, so to speak, of the condition of our hearts in the pursuit of the Lord. We know we’re not going to have the same discernible desire 24/7,...
by Matthew Borgstrom | May 11, 2026 | Uncategorized
Initially, it’s important to note that in Ps 19:7, the law or Torah of Yahweh is not limited to the 10 commandments or even the entire Mosaic law. It refers to the totality of Yahweh’s instruction to his people. David refers to this teaching or instruction as perfect...
by Matthew Borgstrom | May 3, 2026 | Uncategorized
According to 2 Pet 1:19, in what way are Christians to be devoted to the word?—As a lamp shining in a dark place. Elsewhere the word of God is likened to a light or lamp, as in…Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path;119:130 The unfolding of...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 26, 2026 | Uncategorized
–There is no other knowledge that can be described by the characteristics of 2 Tim 3:16-17. –All of what is ultimately useful or beneficial for Christian ministry to others is contained in the Scriptures. –Based on v.16, a significant implementation...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 20, 2026 | Uncategorized
So what is your ultimate authority? What makes something compelling enough to you that you end up submitting to it?—How you feel about it?; How accepted it is among family and friends?; What your favorite author or blog says? It’s clear in the Scriptures that...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 13, 2026 | Uncategorized
What the Lord is and what the Lord does is virtually identical to what the Word is and what the Word does: Eternal Ps 119:89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.Is 40:7 The grass withers, the flower fades,When the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 5, 2026 | Uncategorized
In John 8, Christ had to clarify the relationship between sin and slavery with his audience in John 8:31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 30, 2026 | Uncategorized
2 ways to honor God for 10 years of His faithfulness: I. We should be humbled by what He has done 1. A substantial appetite for God’s word—Ps 19:7-11; 1 Pet 2:1-3 ...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 15, 2026 | Uncategorized
James writes this is 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. The...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
When we incur resistance or even hostility towards the gospel message, there is no reason to automatically think that there was something wrong with our content or our presentation.Perhaps we were argumentative or came across as frustrated or judgmental that the other...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 2, 2026 | Uncategorized
Throughout Acts 27, Paul had continued to trust in God, despite a seemingly hopeless situation and a seemingly irrational pathway to safety. This led to expansive ministry among a previously unreached people in the beginning of Acts 28. God loves to do this. He loves...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Feb 22, 2026 | Uncategorized
Employing faith in extremely difficult situations seems irrational and contrary to what seems reasonable. Along these lines, consider Gideon and his minimized army in Judges 7:2 The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Feb 16, 2026 | Uncategorized
If Luke was only interested in making sure the reader of Acts knew that Paul made it to Rome, he could have simply made a few summary statements about the perilous voyage. But if that were the case, God’s purposes and Paul’s faith in those purposes, would have been...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Feb 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Any person with a heart for God would admit that forgetfulness of his salvation is something to avoid, but what leads to forgetfulness? Is it merely human weakness, just like when we forget where we put our car keys? That’s unlikely and Moses sheds light on the answer...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Dec 25, 2025 | Uncategorized
What’s interesting about Matthew’s account about the birth of Jesus is that there are no details given about the actual birth— no recorded journey to Bethlehem, no manger and no shepherds. Instead, the worship of Jesus receives primary emphasis. This theme of worship...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Dec 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
In Acts 26:24, during Paul’s defense, he is cut off by Festus, who really can’t take anymore religious talk. Why? The teaching of a suffering king who died ,then rose from the dead and appeared to Paul, is folly to a Gentile, such as Festus (1 Cor. 1:23). So he...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Dec 14, 2025 | Uncategorized
In Acts 24:26, Felix represents someone who is consistently seeking out and desiring to listen to the truth with completely impure motives! Felix had incredible access to the truth due to having private interactions with the apostle Paul, but his heart remained closed...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Dec 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
As Paul makes his defense in front of Felix and his accusers, he has filled this room with the truth; not only the truth about the events for which he is on trial for, but also the truth that Christianity is linked directly to the OT Scriptures. That being said,...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Nov 24, 2025 | Uncategorized
Due to the Lord’s presence and words to Paul in Acts 23:11, it seems safe to say that the Lord deemed him faithful in his witness for Christ. Even though this is specific encouragement given to Paul for his particular apostolic ministry, there is at least one part...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Nov 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
Now as Paul has concluded the giving of his conversion details in Acts 22:6-11, just think about the chain of events he has just described beginning in v.3. He was a poster-boy for Judaism, not only living out the regulations to the fullest extent, but defending them...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Nov 3, 2025 | Uncategorized
As we see the example of the Apostle Paul in the opening section of Acts 21, it seems fitting to recall the words of Christ directed toward all his disciples in Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Oct 27, 2025 | Uncategorized
According to many passages (Acts 20:17-38; Php. 2:14-18; 1 Thess. 2:1-12), the Apostle Paul displays a tremendous example in which to follow, but as great as Paul’s example may have been, that example lacks the power in itself to bring about faithfulness in others. If...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Oct 20, 2025 | Uncategorized
In the middle line of v.1 and take note that David’s disposition of earnestly seeking God is in direct opposition to the fatalistic unbelief that sounds like this: “I’m stuck and I can’t do anything until I feel close to God.” That is completely contradictory and...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Oct 12, 2025 | Uncategorized
We must always cultivate a spiritual-mindedness, because only then will we rightly comprehend the incredible danger in the church. Even though there are unspeakable atrocities that occur through the hands of so-called pastors and priests in the physical realm, most...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Oct 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
Despite not bearing the ultimate weight of the souls in a church body, every Christian is called to have spiritual influence over others and therefore is accountable to be alert. In light of that, are we growing in the truth to the point that we can spot error more...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Sep 29, 2025 | Uncategorized
In light of Paul’s quest to finish his course, how often do we think about our finish? Perhaps we think a lot about our present spiritual life and maybe even our conversion in the past, but thinking about our finish in the Christian life is absolutely mandatory....
by Matthew Borgstrom | Sep 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Apostle Paul supplies a familiar verse in Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me....
by Matthew Borgstrom | Sep 15, 2025 | Uncategorized
There are realities that have been evident on the pages of Acts that are also ongoing realities for God’s people.On the one hand, Jesus promised hostility from the world simply due to being associated with him. On the other hand, the Bible speaks of God protecting our...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Sep 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
What’s clear in the book of Acts is that Christianity and the church are not something to trifle with. Ananias and Sapphira found out the hard way in Acts 5, so did Simon in Acts 8 and now these exorcists in Acts 19. The point is that any attempt to simply add...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Aug 25, 2025 | Uncategorized
How important is precision and accuracy to God, as it relates to gospel understanding and proclamation? Now we know that there are some doctrines and some passages of Scripture that are more difficult to understand and that which have little to no bearing on one’s...
