I will sing to the LORD because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6 NASB Dealt bountifully – In Hebrew the entire thought in the conjunctive phrase (beginning with “because”) is merely three words, ki gamal alay. ki is translated “because” although it could just as easily be translated “surely,” or “when,” or “if.”…
And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. Mark 10:18 NASB Before we look at this verse today, let me ask you this: Does your relationship with God depend on the doctrine we are investigating, or does it continue with or without the doctrinal conclusions?…
Good and upright is the LORD. Therefore He guides offenders on the way. Psalm 25:8 Robert Alter translation Therefore – When you think of God as good, what comes to mind? Do you think of His moral character—blameless, holy, perfect? Do you think of His blessings—prosperity, happiness, health? How is God’s goodness connected to the…
Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and he did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God. 2 Chronicles 31:20 NASB Good/ right/ true – Hezekiah was one of Israel’s faithful kings. The narrative tells us that he did everything he could to seek God with all his heart. Hezekiah had but…
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Psalm 119:115 ESV Keep – The company you keep has a direct effect on your ability to delight the Lord. Old places and old faces, as every Twelve-Stepper knows, will certainly drag you back down the addictive path. Anyone who thinks…
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate; 1 Timothy 6:13 NASB Good confession – Paul gives orders to Timothy. Those orders still govern us because we are volunteers committed to the same way of life Paul…
David went out to meet them, and said to them, “If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.” 1 Chronicles…
. . . she heard that the LORD had taken note of His people and given them food. Ruth 1:6 JPS Had taken note – Once or twice in life it’s nice to hear something from the Lord. Two times is the extent of direct mention of God in the story of Ruth. Yes, the…
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 NASB Right thing – Two factors are immediately apparent from James’ statement. First, sin attaches to what I know, not what I don’t know. And second, if I know what is the right…
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 NASB Perfect – Yeshua’s demand seems perfectly reasonable, right? You and I can be perfect, can’t we? God demands it. We are accountable. Therefore, we should do it. When I was much younger, this verse scared me to death. I knew…
