“Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26 Exchange – How much is it worth? That’s the question. Not, “How much does it cost?” The biggest issue in life is not about cost. It is about value. The best way to understand this verse is to use the imagery of…
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.” Matthew 10:24 Disciple – In the school where Jesus teaches, enrollment alone doesn’t count. Being a disciple means a lot more than simply showing up for class. It’s not even about taking notes and reading the books. It’s about listening, understanding and…
“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth” Ephesians 4:25 Laying aside – How many sets of clothes can you wear at the same time? For a joke, you can always put on more than one shirt or pair of pants or dress. But ordinary living usually means that you wear only one of each. Nothing fits…
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” Proverbs 12:22 Faithfully – Did you notice that the contrast is more than speech? “Lying lips” is not contrasted with “telling the truth”. It is contrasted with (literally) “doing faithfulness”. It only takes words to set lying in motion,…
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” Proverbs 12:22 Abomination – If God ever rank ordered sins (which He doesn’t), lying would be right up there at the top. We might not consider it on a par with murder or adultery, but God’s hatred for this…
“next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the Lord” 2 Chronicles 17:16 Volunteered – It’s wartime and the call goes out: Enlist Now! Volunteer to Fight for Your Freedom! God’s army is the opposite of human military organizations. God never drafts the foot soldiers, only the generals. God drafted Moses. He was…
“She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste! Hearts are melting and knees knocking! Also anguish is in the whole body and all their faces are grown pale!” Nahum 2:10 Anguish – HEADLINE NEWS: The great city is doomed! God has spoken. Judgment is coming. Everyone will be destroyed. This is perfect 6 o’clock…
“Now Jacob loved Rachel” Genesis 29:18 Rachel – Hebrew names are not chosen from a book in the library, from television personalities or from months of the year. Biblical names often have root meanings that describe the personality of the one who bears the name. “Nahum” for example, is from a root that means “comfort”. …
“also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,” Ephesians 1:11 Purpose – Purpose has become the by-word of the day. With so much attention placed on the idea of God’s purposes for us, it is worth reflecting for a moment…
“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but they will not find me.” Proverbs 1:28 Find – This is the last Act of the play. In this story, when the play ends something essential is missing – and it can’t be found. In order to see…
