“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…
But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9 NASB Stumbling block – Nine miles roundtrip. Up the trail to the falls. Switchbacks. Steep elevation gains. Oh my, aches and pains. Then back down. Every step hurt. Finally on the flat trail again….
saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42 NASB But – Sitting in the restaurant bar waiting for a table. Enjoying the conversation with another couple. Suddenly the man gets up, goes to the wall and adjusts a picture that isn’t perfectly…
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. Psalm 130:5 ESV Hope – Psalm 130 is a cry to the Lord from the depths of despair. It’s not despair over the external circumstances of life. It’s despair over the chaos of disobedience, of sin at the center of who…
“There is no one holy like the Lord, indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2 NASB Besides – Our Western world is light years away from the world of Israel in the 10th century BCE. As a result of two millennia of Christian influence, we…
Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they came each one with his household: Exodus 1:1 NASB Names – The Bible is not a timeless guidebook. It is a story of the history of men and God. It is a recollection of what happened, not a…
“How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust” Psalm 40:4NASB Trust – The word batach means the sense of well-being and security that results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence. It is translated in the Greek LXX as “hope,” not “belief.” It stresses the feeling of being…
“How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust” Psalm 40:4NASB Trust – The word batach means the sense of well-being and security that result from having something or someone in whom to place confidence. It is translated in the LXX as “hope,” not “belief.” It stresses the feeling of being safe…
I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Psalm 119:16 NASB Delight – Moses Luzzatto published Mesillat Yesharim in 1740. His insights into the relationship between righteous acts, joy and obligation are just as important today as they were two hundred and fifty years ago. Luzzatto argued that human beings are…
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 NASB Easily entangles – When I was a child, this verse frightened me….
