When you have set aside in full the tenth part of your yield –in the third year, the year of the tithe – and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, Deuteronomy 26:12 Tenth Part – Every year it seems like we hear the same questions: “Do I really…
Or are you ignorant that all who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Romans 6:3 Death – Someone once asked George Muller what was his secret for serving God? In his reply, Muller said, “There was a day I died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, taste and will, and died…
“Let YHWH judge between me and you.” Genesis 16:5 Judge – “What consumes the word of covenant.” How can this imagery be true of the Hebrew word shaphat (Shin-Pey-Tau)? This word picture must be wrong. Isn’t judging about restoration? Didn’t we just learn that mishpat (from shaphat) is intended to bring reconciliation? Stop. Think about…
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 Condemnation – So, now you know that the Greek word katakrima is about a judicial pronouncement of guilt. In Greek, Paul tells us that we are not one bit guilty. We are not judged worthy of death. But what would…
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 Therefore – With this most important use of the Greek gar (therefore) in the whole letter to the Romans, Paul summarizes the entire argument of the first seven chapters. This little connector brings to conclusion everything that he has been…
Moses made a copper serpent and mounted it on a standard; and when anyone was bitten by a serpent, he would look at the copper serpent and recover. Numbers 21:9 Copper Serpent – Many people believe that the common symbol of medicine, two serpents on a cross, originated with this event. But a careful reading…
“Woman, what do I have to do with you?” John 2:4 Woman – Have you noticed how much time women spend trying to keep the peace between people? Perhaps it is the built-in result of being mothers. Maybe it’s just genetic. But it seems that when conflict arises, women do their best to soothe the…
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; Philippians 2:3 Humility – Aristotle established the spirit of our age with his declaration that whatever prevents the development of virtue makes a person tapeinos (humble). Just read that once more. …
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; Philippians 2:3 Selfishness – Take just a moment and describe selfishness. What does it mean to you? Is it about an attitude that pursues only your own desires? Is it cold-heartedness…
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 Not Want – This is the place to start. The words are “not want” (lo’ ekaw-sere). Isn’t that what we all hope for? To live in this world without want. No matter what else we believe, this seems to be the universal plea of…
