The Anthropopathic God

“My heart is turned over within Me, all My compassions are kindled.” Hosea 11:8  NASB Within – How much does God care about His children?  If you struggle to find words big enough, deep enough, significant enough, you’re not alone.  The message of the Bible is that God cares beyond anything that we can imagine. …

Heaven on Earth

for our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20  NASB In heaven – You don’t belong here!  But this is where you are today.  Your home is where your heart is, and that’s not here, but this is where you are today.  If…

Prayer for Christine

Christine Hall is all set to go to Ethiopia to serve compassionately for the Kingdom.  Except for one small detail.  The sale of her home in England fell through at the last minute.  She’s packed and ready, but God will have to bring a buyer since the first one is gone. She is asking the…

A Member in Good Standing

for our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20  NASB Citizenship – Almost 100 years ago, Oswald Chambers said, “The Church ceases to be a spiritual society when it is on the look-out for the development of its own organization.”[1] It doesn’t appear…

Lashon Ha’ra

Nevertheless they flattered him with their mouth, and they lied to him with their tongues. Psalm 78:36 (Hebrew World translation) Tongues – The psalmist observes that people return to God in adversity.  When they have emptiness, years of trouble and death, they flock to the Almighty for comfort and help.  They remember that God is…

Civility

And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, “Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old.” Genesis 18:13  NASB I am so old – Don’t be too quick to read this text!  Take a step backwards and read what Sarah actually said.  Then ask yourself, “Why did God leave…

Reading the Shema

“Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.” Mathew 11:29 NASB Yoke – Yeshua quotes Jeremiah 6:16 in this famous passage.  The context of the Jeremiah citation should help us understand the key words here.  Those words are…

Danger Ahead

Let your way of life be free from the love of money, being content with what you have,  for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5  NASB Being content – What is enough?  The Bible answers: what you have been given.  That’s a particularly uncomfortable…

Certified Fresh

“Therefore, bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.” Matthew 3:8  NASB Worthy – John the Baptizer cut no slack.  He spoke like a prophet right out of the Tanakh.  His message to the scribes and religious leaders was something they recognized.  Measure for measure.  Put your actions on the balance scales and see if they are…

Ancient Order

“If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Matthew 5:23-24  NASB And then come – In a few…