Author Archives: betransformed78

Though he was God,he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slaveand was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s deathContinue reading “What Did He Do?”

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.  Matthew 1:20 ESV Why did God speak to Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, in dreams? He spoke directly to Mary through Gabriel. He gave a vision to Zechariah. But he spoke to Joseph, not once, but four timesContinue reading “Dreams”

“What are humans that you pay any attention to them at all?                                                                           Psalm 8:4 JNO I sat in my study and looked at a miniscule centipede wandering across the floor, and wondered, “What is it thinking?” Then I thought how great the gap was between it and me, its brain and mine, and suddenlyContinue reading “Thoughts on a Centipede”

Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.                                                                                                                                         Psalm 36:1 ESV Have mercy on me,O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.                                                                                                Psalm 51:1 ESV “Transgression” is the third of the three most commonContinue reading “Don’t Fence Me In”

Therefore, thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall, bulging out and about to collapse, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.                 Isaiah 30:12-13 ESV “Iniquity” (Heb.Continue reading “Just Get Over IT”

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. 1 John 3:4 NLT Unlike their neighbors, the Israelites knew that fellowship with God depended on how well they followed his instructions. Thus, they had nearly a dozen terms to express the various aspects of failure to doContinue reading “Don’t Miss the Target”

We know we have rebelled and have denied the LORD. We have turned our backs on our God. We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies.              Isaiah 59:13 NLT “…God, who ‘requires truth in the inward parts” hates all hypocrisy, falsehood, and deceit.”[1] This statement gets at the heartContinue reading “Lies”

For I hatedivorce, says the LORD, the God of Israel, and covering one’s garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So take heed to yourselves and do not be faithless.                    Malachi 2:16 NRS In our previous pieces about this subject on the basis of Malachi 2:15-16, we have pointed out two reasons why YahwehContinue reading “Divorce 3”

14You cry out, “Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. 15Didn’t the LORD make you one withContinue reading “Divorce 2”

…because the LORD was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did not one God make her?Both flesh and spirit are his.  And what does the one Goddesire? Godly offspring. So look to yourselves, and doContinue reading “Divorce 1”