Call of the Wild (2)

The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Matthew 8:27 NASB What kind of man – We are not equipped to encounter real holy men. Peter once exclaimed how wonderful it was to see his Messiah in the presence of the…

Finishing the Job

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB Is perfected – The Greek verb, teleo, in this sentence is a present…

A Biblical Contradiction?

How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Proverbs 28:14 NASB Fear always – How can a man be blessed if he is always afraid? This just doesn’t seem to make any sense. If perfect love casts out fear, and we are exhorted to enter…

Hardly Possible

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. Ephesians 4:26-27 NASB Be angry – I get angry. Just ask my wife. I can lash out, criticize, debunk and disparage with the best. Paul certainly doesn’t have to instruct…

Love Measures

“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”  Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Luke 7:47-48 NASB Love much – What does Yeshua mean with this odd statement? What does it mean…

Working It

I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Psalm 145:1-2 NASB Every day – How does the Twelve Step phrase go? “It works if you work it.” Defeating the yetzer ha’ra…

Theophobia

When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. Matthew 17:6 NASB Terrified – We live in a visual world. Tele-transportation of visual images has altered the face of our reality. In fact, even what used to be ordinary audio communication has now been converted into visual display of…

Fishers of Men

… And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” Luke 5:10 NASB Do not fear – How many times have you heard someone refer to this verse as the basis of evangelism? “If you follow Jesus, you will be a fisher of men.” Perhaps that’s true, but…

Fear Not – Except

Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word: “Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you for My name’s sake, . . . Isaiah 66:5 NASB Tremble – Not very often, but when it happens—watch out! That’s my advice about hareid, the Hebrew word translated “tremble.” It’s only used five times,…