Good Enough

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. John 3:19 NASB Evil – When you read this verse in John’s account, what comes to mind? Do you see a great cosmic battle between good and evil? Do…

Home Away

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4 NASB One thing – Asaph makes it clear that being in the…

The Good News

unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 2 Timothy 3:3 NASB Haters of good – What is the good news? Oh, did you think it was, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life?” Or perhaps you thought it was, “Jesus died to forgive my sins.” Think again. The…

Has He?

I will sing to the LORD because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6 NASB Dealt bountifully – In Hebrew the entire thought in the conjunctive phrase (beginning with “because”) is merely three words, ki gamal alay. ki is translated “because” although it could just as easily be translated “surely,” or “when,” or “if.”…

Contagious

Good and upright is the LORD.  Therefore He guides offenders on the way.  Psalm 25:8  Robert Alter translation Therefore – When you think of God as good, what comes to mind?  Do you think of His moral character—blameless, holy, perfect?  Do you think of His blessings—prosperity, happiness, health?  How is God’s goodness connected to the…

God and Politics

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and he did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God.  2 Chronicles 31:20  NASB Good/ right/ true – Hezekiah was one of Israel’s faithful kings.  The narrative tells us that he did everything he could to seek God with all his heart. Hezekiah had but…

Necessary Retreat?

Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.  Psalm 119:115  ESV Keep – The company you keep has a direct effect on your ability to delight the Lord.  Old places and old faces, as every Twelve-Stepper knows, will certainly drag you back down the addictive path.  Anyone who thinks…

Pay Attention

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate;  1 Timothy 6:13  NASB Good confession – Paul gives orders to Timothy.  Those orders still govern us because we are volunteers committed to the same way of life Paul…

Leadership Quality

David went out to meet them, and said to them, “If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.” 1 Chronicles…