“Do not say in your heart, Who will ascend into Heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down)” Romans 10:6 Ascend – What an odd verse! Taken by itself, it just doesn’t seem to make any sense at all. Paul has a picture in mind that has been lost over the centuries. It’s all about the…
“if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord” Romans 10:9 Confess – When did we begin to imagine that confession only meant speaking? It’s true that the Greek word homologeo literally means, “to say the same thing.” It implies speaking in agreement with someone or something. But “confession” in the first century meant a…
“Permit it at this time, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15 Us – In Greek, hemin. The inclusive word. Did you recognize that Jesus opens his ministry with a statement of community? He did not say that it was appropriate for him to fulfill God’s plan. …
“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” John 3:20 Hates – It was a scream I will never forget. “I hate you!” The emotional wave that swept over me nearly knocked me over. Perhaps you have never been in…
“I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work” Exodus 31:3-4 Work – It’s not just doing something! Work is never about being busy. The Hebrew word asah means work with a purpose. It is about fulfilling…
“I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work” Exodus 31:3-4 Spirit – The Spirit was in the giving business from the very beginning. Genesis 1:2 tells us that the Spirit of God brooded over the waters…
“I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work” Exodus 31:3-4 Filled – You have to spill a little over the top! “Filled” is the Hebrew word male. In one context, it means to put into a…
“But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time”” Matthew 3:15 Permit – The first recorded word spoken by Jesus sets the stage for His entire ministry. It is the right word for the beginning of a year and the beginning of a life. In Greek, the word is aphes. It is from…
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Heb 10:35 Confidence – From two Greek words meaning “all” and “speaking”, parresias means “freedom in the act of speaking”. This word means that we have boldness and freedom to speak of our experience of faith. Because God accepts us, we are invited…
“sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it”. Genesis 4:7 Crouching – Genesis chapter 4 is the story of Cain and Abel. It is a story that we have probably known since childhood God knows that emotional situations can become the seedbed for sinful acts. He…
