Pilgrim Plough

The complaints of God against His People (Malachi)

Thursday, August 6, 2009
By Mark Swaim

Introduction The close of the Old Testament leaves us with the unmistakable reality of the condition that existed among God’s people, and enlarges our understanding into the depths of God’s heart of love. Malachi unleashes the anguish found in God’s heart, in love for His people, and delivers, on God’s behalf, a scathing attack of... »

The Message of the Seven Churches (Revelation 2-3)

Wednesday, August 5, 2009
By Mark Swaim

Introduction What’s wrong with the church today? In our generation, we find churches plagued with various problems ranging from self-interest and a negative self-image, to communication breakdown and open conflict. We find immaturity reigns and the Word of God a sealed book to the minds of many believers; a generation which does not know... »

The Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:12)

Monday, July 20, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“And behold, I am coming quickly and my reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work”  (Revelation 22:12) The King is coming…He is coming to take charge. He is coming to take control. He is coming for the Church, His bride. He will demand submission and obedience. But in His absence, He is looking for... »

The Marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-8)

Sunday, July 19, 2009
By Tami Swaim

“The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted to be arrayed in fine linen…” (Revelation 19:7-8) The fine linen are righteous acts. What a day it will be when the bride of Christ will be arrayed in beauty, ready for her bride! How beautiful she will be... »

Self-Centered Christianity (James 5:5)

Saturday, July 18, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“You have lived in on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in the day of slaughter” (James 5:5) This verse is talking about how it is unbecoming for a Christian to live a life of ease while our Lord Jesus walked a different path. Many are starving of hunger. Many go to... »

Rahab (Hebrews 11:31)

Friday, July 17, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.” (Hebrews 11:31) Her name is listed among the greatest examples we have of faith. She was an overcomer, a believer, moved with fear. Rahab recognized Israel’s victories were the result of Israel’s God. She responded in... »

Strangers and Pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13)

Thursday, July 16, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13) This verse helps us to understand that the path of faith means that we are not to... »

My Trust in Him (Hebrews 2:13)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“I will put my trust in Him.” (Hebrews 2:13) How often we find ourselves putting our trust in things other than Christ. The world might attract us, a relationship that we so much desire might keep us from trusting Him. It was John who warns us to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21) and to cling... »

Singing (Hebrews 2:12)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” (Hebrews 2:12) The first mention of singing in Scripture is in Exodus 15:1 “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD”. On this occasion, Moses and... »

Itching Ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Monday, July 13, 2009
By Tami Swaim

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Has this time come? No one likes to be uncomfortable in their own homes. Nor do... »

Study (2 Timothy 2:15)

Sunday, July 12, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Study…” (2 Timothy 2:15) The Church has always been characterized by people who are ignorant in the knowledge of the Scriptures. This led to the clergy system to arise in the second century. It was the cause of the Dark Ages, and the reason which led to the Reformation. It has been the cause of a continuous stream of... »

Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16)

Saturday, July 11, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Onesiphorus…he oft refreshed me” (2 Timothy 1:16) People are known for various reasons. When we come to the end of life, what will last as our defining memiour? How will people remember us? Some people make names for themselves…others make money. Some create problems…some make hearts break. Onesiphorus was one who made a difference. During the dry and barren desert times,... »

The Love of Christ (1 Timothy 2:14)

Friday, July 10, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, was in the transgression.” (1 Timothy 2:14) Eve was deceived; Adam was not. Why did Adam disobey God? It was love for Eve. He knew the consequence of sin. He also knew the consequence of not loving Eve. He made a choice to love. Adam was created in the image and... »

The Headship of Christ (Colossians 1:18)

Thursday, July 9, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18) If Satan could, he would take control of the church. He wants to be the head of the church. He is wise, crafty, deceiving, and... »

Reputations (Philippians 2:5,7)

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Let this mind be in you…He made Himself of no reputation” (Philippians 2:5,7) Why is it that we worry so much about our reputations as if our standing before men was important? Before men, our Lord Jesus was a worm, and no man. He was branded as a heretic, sneered by the mob, rejected by the religious... »

The Spiritual Life (Galatians 5:22-23)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) What is the spiritual life? Is it serving God? Sacrificing for Him? Preaching the gospel or witnessing on the job? Is is going to church? Attending Bible study? Spreading the good news? Or marrying a true believer? Is it teaching Sunday School or singing songs... »

Devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3)

Monday, July 6, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NET version) Devotion to Christ. Are you devoted to Him? When we break bread, we remember Him who came from glory to give His... »

The Riches of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Sunday, July 5, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) Our Lord Jesus, the second person of the godhead, before his incarnation, was rich is power, creativity, wealth and beauty. Yet... »

The Bema (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Saturday, July 4, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 5:10) Everything we do will be judged by Christ. Our lives are measured in time. Each of us has been given time on earth to live. Your time is like money. You can spend it however you want; but you can only spend it once. One day, your... »

The Frangrance of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

Friday, July 3, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us to triumph in Christ, and through us manifests the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ…to others the aroma of life leading to life”(2 Corinthians 2:14-16) “All Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of... »

My body, broken for you (1 Corinthians 11:24)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“…this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24) “…present your bodies a living sacrifice…” (Romans 12:1) In remembrance of Him, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. The bread reminds us of the body of our Lord Jesus. It was broken in sacrificial service for us. Our Lord Jesus Christ presented His... »

The God of Patience, Comfort, Hope and Peace (Romans 15:5,13,33)

Tuesday, June 30, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“The God of Patience and Consolation…The God of Hope…The God of Peace..” (Romans 15:5, 13, 33) He is called the God of Patience, that we may learn to wait quietly on Him as He teaches us lessons in a way that only He can. Tribulations produces patience (15:3). He is the God of Consolation (Comfort), who helps us... »

Presenting a gift (Romans 12:1)

Monday, June 29, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“ I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1) “…and when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh.”(Matthew 2:11) “ …This is my body which is given for you.” (Luke... »

They Continued (Acts 2:42)

Sunday, June 28, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42) Why do we meet together?  Is it not to meet with the Lord?  Is it not to read His Word?  Is it not to pray to Him?  Is it not to break bread?  Acts 2:42. ... »

You cannot…without Christ (John 15:5)

Saturday, June 27, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) You cannot…without Christ get to heaven be holy bear fruit have peace with God Serve God Please God Worship God Be full MAS 03 07 »

The Secret to Spiritual Growth (John 15:5)

Friday, June 26, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) The Secret of Spiritual growth: In John 15:5, the apostle writes “He that abides in me and I in him, the same brings... »

My Father’s House (John 14:2)

Thursday, June 25, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“In My Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2) On February 5, 2005, Tami cried on the first night…in her first home.  I had stayed up all night preparing it.  My hands and feet were very... »

Where I am, there you will be (John 13:36-14:3)

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Lord, where are you going….why can’t I follow you now? …Let not your heart be troubled…where I am there you will be” (John 13:36-14:3) Poor Peter. His desire was to follow the Lord. Peter proclaimed his intent to follow the Lord wherever He goes, even unto death. Wherever the Lord is, there he wanted to be. What devotion he... »

My Sheep Hear My Voice (John 10:27)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“My Sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27) There are many voices calling for our attention. There is the voice of the thief, the voice of the wolf and the voice of philosophy. There are voices telling us the problems as well as the solutions. There are voices calling us to follow. The voice of... »

Devotion (John 2:17)

Monday, June 22, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Fervent devotion to your house will devour me” (John 2:17) The Lord Jesus certainly had a deep devotion to God’s house, to his people, God’s will, to service and to holiness.  What did and does his devotion mean?.  Devotion to holiness meant he was able to be the perfect sacrifice for sin.  Devotion to service... »

Joy found in Christ (John 1:1-4:54)

Sunday, June 21, 2009
By Mark Swaim

In the first 4 chapters of the Gospel of John, we have a continual emphasis on joy. In John 2 we read the Lord went to a wedding where there were simple people, celebrating the simple joys of life. Yet the simple joys of life soon have an end and run out. Wedding bliss often ends in... »

Drawing Near (Luke 24:15,28-29)

Saturday, June 20, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them…And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and He made as though He would have gone further. But they constrained Him saying, abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is... »

The debt (Luke 16:5)

Friday, June 19, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“How much do you owe my master?” (Luke 16:5) As sinners, the Lord Jesus paid a debt we could not pay when He died to pay for sin on the cross. The Father sent Him into the world to pay for sin. As saints, the Father gave us the Holy Spirit as a seal that we now... »

Something Lost (Luke 15:4,8,11)

Thursday, June 18, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost?…what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not…search carefully until she find it?…A certain man had two sons…” (Luke 15:4,8,11) Three... »

Depart from me (Luke 5:8)

Wednesday, June 17, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 5:8) What if Jesus had departed? Peter would have understood. The Lord Jesus was holy, perfect and sinless. His righteousness made Him shine bright with glory, and made Peter realized how sinful he was. What... »

The Father’s Business (Luke 2:49)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49) What joy there is to be about our Father’s business. He is in the business of saving souls. (Luke 15:7) He is in the business of conforming men and women into the image of His Son (Rom 8:29; Phil 3:20-21). He is in the business of preparing a... »

Desire for other things (Mark 4:18-19)

Monday, June 15, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“The deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the Word” (Mark 4:18-19) Here are two things that choke the Word of God so that it does not have an influence on our lives. The first is deception and the second is desire. There is the deception that riches... »

Judas (Matthew 27:3-5)

Sunday, June 14, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Then Judas…when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself…” Why is it that man has so much trouble finding peace? We search for peace within ourselves; within our homes; within the workplace; within material possessions; within companionship…Man’s search for peace is always within, and yet peace comes from knowing God, and without Him, we are... »

The Joy of the Lord (Matthew 25:21)

Saturday, June 13, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Enter thou into the joy of the Lord” Psalm 16:11  “In thy presence is fullness of Joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” How wonderful it will be! The joy of the Lord! We shall know His joy forevermore. But why wait till then? We don’t need to wait to enter into the joy of the Lord. We can enter... »

The Day I see Him (Matthew 25:21)

Friday, June 12, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Enter thou into the joy of the Lord” We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ. There will be a day when I shall see Him. I will stand before Him. What will be my portion? To the faithful servant, The Lord will say these wonderful words, “Enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” The greatest moment... »

The Field of Labor (Matthew 20:1,8)

Thursday, June 11, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“For the kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard…when the evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages…’” The Field of Labor. As we move and live in this world, we... »

Tradition and the Word of God (Matthew 15:1-6)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Then the scribes and Pharisees…came to Jesus, saying, ‘Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?’…He answered and said to them, ‘why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your traditions?…you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.’” See also Mark 7:9. Traditions... »

Come (Matthew 11:28)

Tuesday, June 9, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28) “Even so come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20) The great gospel call from the Lord Jesus is to come to Him. Many are attracted to religion. They are people who understand there is a God and who also know that God needs to be respected. They are attracted to the prospects of... »

Gifts (Matthew 2:11)

Monday, June 8, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“…and when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him:  Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh.”  (Matthew 2:11) “ I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”  (Romans 12:1) “ …This is my body which is given for... »

Two Cups (Ezekiel 23:30-32)

Sunday, June 7, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“I will put her cup in your hand…It contains much.” (Ezekiel 23:30-32) “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away” (Lk 22:42) “The cup which my Father has given me” (Jn 18:11) “He took the cup and gave thanks…This cup is the new covenant in My blood.” (Lk 22:17,20) “The cup of blessing” (1 Cor 10:16) Two cups. In... »

Lost Sheep (Jeremiah 50:6)

Saturday, June 6, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have led them astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.” Psalm 23:1-2 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” In Jeremiah, God’s people where lost... »

Failing to Listen (Jeremiah 39:1)

Friday, June 5, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“In the ninth year of Zedekiah, King of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar King of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.” Jeremiah is all about the failures among God’s people. They failed to obey the Lord. They failed to serve Him. They failed to honor him. They failed to keep His commandments. They... »

Worship and Honor (Jeremiah 8:1-2)

Thursday, June 4, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“…they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests and the bones of the prophets and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves: and they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the... »

Pursuit of wealth or the pursuit of Christ (Proverbs 23:4)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Do not wear yourself out to become rich; be wise to restrain yourself.” (The Holy Bible, NET Version) In our world today, men and women work pursuing the god of money. Money’s evangelists cry out, calling the poor, the rich, the young and old to live for riches. ‘Happiness, success, peace, and rest... »

A Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31:10)

Tuesday, June 2, 2009
By Mark Swaim

“Who can find a virtuous woman”? In the Word of God is found many beautiful women. They are beautiful in character. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and at times beauty cannot be seen so quickly. Beauty runs far beyond the physical shell that makes a woman. It runs deep into the... »

The believer’s home is a Christ-centered home; a place where the written Word of God is taught, honored, read and known.

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