The Spirit of the Pharisee
Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will be clean. Matthew 23:25-26 Jesus confronted the Pharisees on […]
Working Out Your Salvation
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12 As we grow in Christ-like character, we are called to progress in holiness and godliness. Paul tells the people […]
Wound Up Over Nothing
So here we are officially in the advent season. And we have two choices. We can enter into the mad rush of shopping, baking, writing Christmas cards, parties…. or we can first enter into the secret place with the Lord each day and then start our busy days. I am not Scrooge telling you not […]
The Authority of God Most High
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew […]
Rumors
When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, […]
God’s Two-Edged Sword
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 The Word of God is sharp and divides soul from spirit. Our soul is our mind, will and […]
Strengthening the Weak
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of their flock?’” Ezekiel 34:1-2 God spoke to […]
The Glory of God Most High
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not […]
Transitions
Now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan. Joshua 22:4 The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned to the eastern side […]
The Lord’s Requirements
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 Micah the prophet states his case against the people of God. God brought them out of slavery in Egypt and had […]