This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 NASB Eternal life – Let’s not get wrapped up in the Trinitarian implications here. Just remember that Yeshua says (or at least John says that he says) that eternal life is about knowing…
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” Genesis 28:16 NASB I did not know it – lo yada’etti. But how could he not know? Isn’t God everywhere? How could Jacob think for a moment that God wasn’t in the place where…
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. Psalm 130:5 ESV Hope – Psalm 130 is a cry to the Lord from the depths of despair. It’s not despair over the external circumstances of life. It’s despair over the chaos of disobedience, of sin at the center of who…
Now Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan-aram, and camped before the city. Genesis 33:18 NASB Safely – Jonathan Sacks translates this passage as, “And Jacob emerged complete.” He points out that Jacob no longer wanted or needed the blessing that Isaac…
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romans 12:6 NIV Gifts – While the Greek heritage provides a rich texture for understanding the idea of gifting as the expression of joyful celebration, an even deeper context can be seen in the Hebrew thought patterns that lie behind Paul’s vocabulary. Charis is typically…
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romans 12:6 NIV Gifts – The Greeks recognized a connection between chairo (joy) and edone (pleasure). In later Greek thinking the two terms are barely distinguishable. Alignment with the deepest expression of joy is the truest sense of pleasure. Eric Liddell made the connection when…
“He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the street.” Isaiah 42:2 NASB Not cry out – The street corner evangelist. A big sign, “Where will you go when you die?” The billboard: “Jesus Saves.” The television preacher. A mass audience taking notes about the PowerPoint sermon. All…
“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1 NASB Chosen one – Why does God choose? Why did He choose Israel, David, Jonah or Yeshua? Why did He choose you? The answer…
Remembering Sicily today. I am leaving for Barcelona this afternoon. Printed book orders will be a bit delayed, but please don’t worry about it. See you on my return. I will be lecturing on the Silversea Silver Spirit from Barcelona to Rome and back.
“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1 NASB Uphold – YHVH speaks about His servant. “Look at him,” He says. “He is the one I uphold.” Pay attention. YHVH is the…
