We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 ESV Loved – A few years ago I wrote an article about seeking the perfect love. I’m publishing it again with a few additions because I need the reminder. Maybe you do too. The idea of romantic love, invented in the Enlightenment and perpetrated by this culture,…
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 NASB The Dead Pool – “Being conformed to His death.” Now, what in the world can that mean? The only way to be conformed to…
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NASB Life – Life is a paradox. In this verse, Paul presents us with one of the most paradoxical truths of existence. What seems like “life” to those whose worldview is determined by…
He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places. 2 Samuel 22:34 NASB My high places – “Just keep going up. At first you won’t see it, but just keep going up.” We were four miles into the climb. Not a hike. A climb. Every step was altitude gain. And…
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NASB To die – Jack Nicholson delivered the classic line in the movie, The Departed. “We all die. Live accordingly.” But how many of us think like this? We are so busy with life that we forget its true meaning is…
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV Choose – Do it early! Choose when you are young. Isn’t it interesting that the Hebrew verb bahar (to choose,…
for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ Acts 17:28 NASB Exist – Talk to a philosopher about existence and you will soon be discussing the idea of “being.” What is, is. Why it is is the great question….
O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. Psalm 51:15 NASB That – So what is David really saying? Is he saying that he is unable to praise YHVH because YHVH has not opened his lips? Or is he saying that if YHVH opens his lips, then he will praise Him?…
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1 NASB Within me – What is within? The immediate temptation is to answer with a Greek worldview. What is within in my spirit. But how would we answer this question as a Hebrew? First, we would look…
But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:60 NASB Dead – When do you think you will be born? When will God start what He has finished with you? It’s nice that the NLT adds “spiritually…
