And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20 NASB Poor – Matthew translates Yeshua’s statement differently. In Matthew’s Greek, the text says ptochoi pneumati. He needs this added bit of Greek because his reading audience is Jewish and he must distinguish in Greek…
You hid Your face, I was dismayed. To You, O Lord, I called, and to the Lord I made supplication: “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?” Psalm 30:7b-9 NASB Hid – “In a world where God hides His face, human life seems to…
“But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” Job 1:11 NASB Your hand– yadeka. Your hand. The pronoun carries a lot of weight here. This isn’t just any external force. This is the hand of God. That is uncomfortable. Do we ignore the bad in order…
As I get ready to fly back to the USA, I remember what a great experience it was to see some of the creation in the wild. Maybe next time you will come with me.
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Romans 6:3 NASB Baptized– For a moment, put away your familiar associations with the joy of baptism. Set aside the usual celebration when someone expresses faith through immersion ritual. Ask yourself, “Isn’t it odd…
Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” Matthew 26:38 NASB Watch– We know the story all too well. Yeshua makes a request that the disciples are unable to handle. In spite of Yeshua’s obvious need for emotional support, the disciples all fall asleep. …
“Now I am sending Huram-abi, a skilled man, endowed with understanding, the son of a Danite woman and a Tyrian father, who knows how to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone and wood, and in purple, violet, linen and crimson fabrics, and who knows how to make all kinds of engravings and to execute any design which may be assigned to…
“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 NASB Shepherds– Please don’t consider me a teacher. I’m not up to the task. I’m just an investigator, someone who explores the connections between culture and Scripture. I just am curious about things and I see all sorts of relationships…
“Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 8:34-35 NASB Finds me– In the famous eighth chapter of Proverbs, Wisdom speaks. Actually, Woman Wisdom speaks. The gender is specific and important. According to Woman Wisdom, YHVH created all that…
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 NASB Hear– “Over time, early and necessary (and sometimes life-saving) defensive maneuvers and coping strategies evolve into ‘patterns’ of thinking, feeling, and behaving. These patterns come to operate like ‘organizing…
