James 4:14, “…you do not know what tomorrow will bring.” Short Thoughts: We are all blind regarding not only the next day but the next moment…how good, like blind beggars, to cling to our merciful Shepherd who ordains every step, who sees clearly to the end, and who has paved the path to our […]
Isaiah 53:4, “Surely, He has borne our griefs…” As I type it is 6pm on Sunday evening and news about the Sutherland Springs church shooting is flowing in via internet media outlets…. When we heard, Courtney and I prayed together…its hard to find words…Its hard to know how to respond with such an overload
James 2:26, “…faith apart from works is dead.” No big write up today, I suppose that yesterday’s makes up for the lack 😉 James’ words here are pretty self-explanatory—and sobering. The Spirit is crystal clear that the sort of faith in Christ that is “counted as righteousness“ (2:23), is the faith that bears fruit.
Luke 24:40-41, “…He showed them His hands and His feet…[they] disbelieved for joy…” Short Thoughts: The wounds of their God’s agony, the wounds dealt by the worst sin imaginable, the wounds of temporally-borne eternal torment, of damnation itself—seen in the flesh of the risen Son—call forth such passion of joy from the hearts
Ezekiel 34:11, “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all the
Isaiah 52:15, “…he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.” May it be so….. Below you can read the string of thoughts from my journal that led me to this
Psalm 60:4-5, “You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!” I read these verses again today and was reminded of a journal entry from back in
Exodus 24:16, “The glory of YHWH dwelt on Mount Sinai…” Exodus 25:8, “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” Exodus 24:16 tells us that the glory of the LORD dwelt on Sinai. Of course, we know—as did Moses—that God is “omnipresent,” but in a unique way, His glory
Exodus 24:16, 25:8 + John 1:14 Read More »
Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is the final of the “Beatitudes” pictures…..The main points that I wanted to hit in this final image were: 1) To be persecuted “for righteousness’ sake” is to be persecuted—whether intentionally or unintentionally on the part
Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” As the Church reconciles the shattered family of humanity to one another and to God, she manifests and continues the work of the True Child of God: the crucified and risen Lord whose blood has purchased all true and lasting
Isaiah 57:15 “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit”
Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” While preparing for this picture, I was pointed to Psalm 24:4-6, which is the primary OT context that Jesus seems to be drawing from in this Beatitude. There the concept of a “pure heart” seems to be unfolded in v.4b, namely,
Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew is most likely not talking about Pauline righteousness (ie, The righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer by grace through faith), though that is certainly necessary. The righteousness in view here is likely a life of practical,
Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for that shall inherit the earth.” 1 Peter 2:23, “…when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly…” At the heart of true meekness is trusting submission to the will and purposes of God. It is not fatalism or a religious
Matthew 5:5 (1 Peter 2:23) Read More »
Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” I just finished up a series on John 1:1-18 at Community Christian Church, and anticipate starting the Sermon on the Mount this coming Sunday. As I’ve been preparing for this next series I’ve been musing over, among other things,
Hebrews 4:13, “And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give and account.” Reading through Hebrews 4 this morning I noticed a progression of thought from 4:11-16. In verse 11-2, the author supports his citation and application of Psalm
Revelation 21:2, 22:1, ”And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…. …Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb…” Psalm 46:4, “There
Revelation 21:2, 22:1 (Psalm 45 & 46) Read More »
Hebrews 2:14-15, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” Here are some
Hebrews 2:11, 14-15 Read More »
