But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. James 1:14-15 NASB Tempted – The Greek peirao needs some explanation. Today we often think that “tempted” is virtually the…
Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’” Exodus 4:22-23 NASB Firstborn – Chapter eighteen of David…
Then he said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times? He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” Genesis 27:36 NASB Rightly called – Esau is the one who gives Jacob…
saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Luke 14:30 NASB Not able to finish – What if your best friend is really your worst enemy? What if embracing surrender to God means committing suicide of your self? What if there isn’t any real life after this death? Answers to these…
The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:39 NASB Second – In biblical thought, you can’t have the first without the second. You can’t love God with all your heart unless you also love your neighbor as yourself. Yeshua rightly points the scribe to both answers to the same…
The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Genesis 2:8 NASB Garden in Eden – “The good ol’ days.” That’s what we really want, isn’t it? Those days that didn’t seem so stressful, so chaotic, so confusing. What we really want is…
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 NASB Not – What is the connection between Genesis 2:18, Zechariah 4:6, Ephesians 5:23 and John Piper’s view of marriage? More than you…
Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 NASB Waters – The Teacher, Qohelet, might be somewhat of a skeptic, but that doesn’t mean his advice isn’t practical. “Spend your efforts on the one you love in your youth,” is great advice. “Don’t worry…
After many, many hours of great discussions, pouring over the pages of Moses Luzzatto’s classic work, Mesillat Yesharim, we have finally finished the study. All 35 lectures are now available in a page-by-page progression through the text. This is probably the most important book I have ever read on the discipline of saintliness. It is well worth…
He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” Luke 7:13 NASB Compassion – Tragedy is the opportunity for the display of God’s glory. Compassion is the active ingredient in that display. Yeshua is the man of racham. He does not just feel the common bond of human life. He acts. He…
