Lost in Place

Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, Lord, You know it all.  Psalm 139:4  NASB You know it all – God knows everything, right?  Theologically, the idea is called omniscience.  This verse in Psalms supports the doctrine even if the actual Hebrew is only about words.  It’s clear that the Psalmist means God knows…

Chambers-Made (2)

that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.  John 17:21  NASB May believe – “The purpose of God is not to answer our prayers, but by our prayers we come to discern the mind…

What Goes Around

“May the Lord reward your work, and may your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  Ruth 2:12  NASB Reward – It’s such a shame that the translation of this Hebrew word into English leaves us without all the deep connections it should imply.  Take a look…

Voluntary Absence

My God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer; and by night, but I have no rest.  Psalm 22:2  NASB Cry out – Who’s responsible?  That’s what we want to know.  If I’m crying out day and night, if I feel the desperate emptiness of God’s absence, if I’m fixated on His reply,…

The Summons

My God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer; and by night, but I have no rest.  Psalm 22:2  NASB Cry out – Anthony Bloom’s comment is frightening: “ . . . it is very important to remember that prayer is an encounter and a relationship, a relationship which is deep, and this…

Anthony Bloom

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”  Luke 11:1  NASB To pray – We’ve heard it before.  “A man’s prayer is answered when he stakes his life on it.” …

Down Is Up

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”  Luke 11:1  NASB To pray – This might seem strange to say, but prayer is my most difficult exercise.  Even when I…

Parking Spaces

having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 NASB Anxiety – Many, many years ago, when I was still a teenager, I joined a Bible study group with my friends.  It was actually a pivotal point in my life.  It introduced me to people who seriously examined the text…

Empathy?

He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  I will satisfy him with a long life, and show him My salvation. Psalm 91:15-16  NASB With him – “He will call.  I will answer.”  What more could we ask from God?  Well, in fact,…