Divine Correction

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…

Community Accountability

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. …

Secret Agent (2)

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…

It’s the View that Matters

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…

The Leviticus Man

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…

Bless The Food?

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…

Be Like JB

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…

What’s In A Name?

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…

Emotional Motion

leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering  Matthew 5:24 Be Reconciled – When we find a word in the Greek New Testament that is used only one time, we need to pay close attention.  We need to ask,…

Secret Agent (1)

leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering  Matthew 5:24 Go Your Way – In his commentary on Matthew, Nicoll says, “Reconciliation before sacrifice: morality before religion” and calls this one of the four cardinal principles of worship.  If…