If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees Colossians 2:20 Elementary Principles – When you came to Jesus at the foot of the cross, you recognized your sin. You saw that your life was opposed…
Save me, O God, for the waters have threatened my life. Psalm 69:1 Save – “and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). But, of course, Mary did not call her son Jesus. That is the Greek pronunciation of the name that she really called…
Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty Job 5:17 Reproves – The Bible has a different view of discipline than we do. In the Bible, discipline is wonderful. First, it is a sign that God loves me. Secondly, it is part of the way…
You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him Leviticus 19:17 Reprove – When Paul begs us to stop being conformed to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2), he means a lot more than a change in moral behavior. …
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 Reprove – Every Twelve Stepper knows that secrets kill. The rest of us live in denial. The power of addiction is found in the secrets addicts keep. It doesn’t matter if you eat…
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7 Stronghold – Hebrew is a language of concrete images; rocks, trees, stars, land, streams, and, of course, fortresses. So, be a Hebrew. Draw yourself a mental picture of the idea that God is…
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 Be Ready – What does it mean to “be ready?” Do you think of poised preparation? Do images of textbooks and classrooms come to mind? Are you carrying an invitation card in your…
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7 Good – “Don’t forget the blessing.” Is that the common invocation before a meal in your house? I learned my kindergarten version early in life. “God is great and God is good, and…
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach – When you passed that man on the street corner with the sign “Jesus Saves,” did you think about this verse? When you heard that last rousing sermon, did Paul’s direction come…
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7 Nahum – Your name in God’s language might easily be a summary of the purpose of your life. Of course, the names we give our children today, and the names we have been…
