Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Author’s note: Reflecting back on this article I wrote years ago, I do acknowledge that there are times when we need to discuss out loud things within us with others who love us and can help us have discernment. … Continue reading Catharsis? – Psalms 4:4
Category: Bible
The Joy of the Lord – Psalms 4:7
You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. For the Materialist, despair is central and joy is peripheral. His 'joy' is found in things. His answers apply only to peripheral matters he believes he has proven by material processes. It is tied to this earth … Continue reading The Joy of the Lord – Psalms 4:7
Inside Out – Proverbs 21:2
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives. (HCSB) Every decision we make is based on the motivation of our heart. Well, maybe there are some quick decisions that flow more out of panic than motive but for the most part our motives inform the decisions we make. It’s … Continue reading Inside Out – Proverbs 21:2
Overindulgence – Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise. (HCSB) In this one verse, Father God clearly delineates the true problem with alcohol - overindulgence and abuse. Staggering begins when self control has ended. It is indicative of drunkenness and leads only to personal destruction. God gave … Continue reading Overindulgence – Proverbs 20:1
All the Treasures – Colossians 2:2-3
I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery — Christ. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him. Once again we see understanding, wisdom and knowledge as key in a … Continue reading All the Treasures – Colossians 2:2-3
Defeating Anger – Proverbs 19:11
Proverbs 19:11 (ESV) Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 (HCSB) A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 (NASB) A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a … Continue reading Defeating Anger – Proverbs 19:11
The Name – John 20:31
But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name. John ends his book with the clear emphasis on life through faith. It is by believing in Jesus Christ THE Son of God that we have life in … Continue reading The Name – John 20:31
Foolish Decisions – Proverbs 19:3
A man’s own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart rages against the Lord. It is the utterly selfish one who messes up His life and then seeks for a way to blame God. It is the approach of a rebellious soul. It is the picture of a total lack of personal responsibility. 'Anything bad … Continue reading Foolish Decisions – Proverbs 19:3
Loss – Philippians 3:7
But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. How??? How does one do this? How does a sinful creature look at his own personal gains and then count them as loss for Christ? Don't gloss over what Paul is saying here. After 30 years of … Continue reading Loss – Philippians 3:7
Christ in You – Colossians 1:27
God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. This must be one of the most wonderful; yet, deeply mysterious truths. Christ is in me and by His presence He brings supernaturally the hope of glory. Not the glory of this … Continue reading Christ in You – Colossians 1:27
Chicken Hearted – John 19:8
When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. Pilate is really a chicken at heart like most all of Jesus' detractors and many of His disciples. It is our earthbound fear that controls so many of the stupid decisions we make. Our fearful, finite, earthbound perspective rules our hearts and determines our … Continue reading Chicken Hearted – John 19:8
The Tongue – Proverbs 18:21
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Words matter. Sticks and stones may sometimes break bones but words always have the power to injure or heal. Words do often bring hurt causing long-lasting, deep-seated wounds. Life and death are in our words. How … Continue reading The Tongue – Proverbs 18:21
Together in Christ – Philippians 4:2
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Lord is the New Testament equivalent of Father God's Name, YHWH, as He originally revealed to Moses. The one way to ensure that there is harmony within a somewhat contentious relationship within the church is to share a common focus on The One … Continue reading Together in Christ – Philippians 4:2
Questioning – John 18:23
Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had … Continue reading Questioning – John 18:23
It Is Finished – Exodus 40:33-35
And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting … Continue reading It Is Finished – Exodus 40:33-35
Unity – John 17:20-21
I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so that the world may believe You sent Me. Christian unity is founded upon a … Continue reading Unity – John 17:20-21
Speaking Openly – John 18:20-21
“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him. “I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple complex, where all the Jews congregate, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.” The irony … Continue reading Speaking Openly – John 18:20-21
The Strength of Gentleness – Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. O to master the art of gentleness! Harshness comes so easily, so naturally. Gentleness is a spiritual gift and a learned trait. Responding in anger flows like fire from a mouth scorching all it touches. Gentleness must be nurtured and coaxed. It … Continue reading The Strength of Gentleness – Proverbs 15:1
Holy Father – John 17:11
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. How significant that God the Son made manifest in the flesh, Jesus Christ, … Continue reading Holy Father – John 17:11
Human Intuition – Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 'Seems right'. Feelings and human intuition are not our most reliable guides. Simply because something feels right or seems right does not necessarily mean it is right or even useful. Left unchecked this way may ‘seem right’ … Continue reading Human Intuition – Proverbs 14:12
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