And they said to her, “You are out of your mind.” Acts 12:15 Out Of Your Mind – Mainê! No, it’s not the smallest, coldest state in the Union. It’s the transliteration of the Greek word that means, “You’re insane.” It’s the root of our word maniac. “You’re raving mad.” Given the circumstances, it’s quite…
Throwing all your cares on Him because you are the object of His concern (my translation) 1 Peter 5:7 The Object Of – God knows what you need, right? God is able to provide what you need, right? Then why bother Him about it? Why pester Him with your constant requests? After all, you don’t…
For I bear him witness that he has a deep concern for you Colossians 4:13 Deep Concern – Is that it? Is “deep concern” what caused Epaphras to agonize in prayer? Even the marginal notes in the NASB only suggest “much toil” or “great pain.” But the Greek is zelon polun, literally “great zeal.” Of…
Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, Colossians 4:12 Laboring Earnestly – What would happen if you did nothing but pray? Does that idea make you a little uncomfortable? The language itself makes us uneasy, doesn’t it? Did…
It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer,” but you have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:13 Den – Jesus quotes Jeremiah. No doubt about it. “Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers?” (Jeremiah 7:11) The metaphor underlines the fact that the…
It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer,” but you have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:13 Prayer – David danced naked before the ark. Although Scripture doesn’t comment on it, I am quite sure that David also prayed naked. I don’t mean that he fell to his face…
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1 Prayer – Why do we pray? If God knows our needs before we ask, what’s the point? If God has sovereignly arranged the circumstances to accomplish His purposes,…
The Talmud suggests that the definition of Man is “the creature who prays”. This idea sets the stage for understanding what prayer really is. Prayer is the defining characteristic of what it means to be human. In other words, to be truly human is to be in communication with the Creator. Men and women who…
A prayer of the afflicted when he is faint and before Yahweh pours out his complaint. Psalm 102:1 (in the Hebrew text) Prayer – What is prayer? There is no doubt that the Hebrew word tephilla means “prayer”, but what does “prayer” mean? What does it look like? Hebrew has more than a dozen words…
A prayer of the afflicted when he is faint and before Yahweh pours out his complaint. Psalm 102:1 (in the Hebrew text) Afflicted – Oh the history in this word! It knows no ethnic borders. Hagar, the Egyptian, is afflicted by Sarah. It knows no relational privilege. Leah was afflicted (not loved) by Jacob. It…
