Blessings

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.                         Psalm 112:1-2 (NIV) Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “BlessedContinue reading “Blessings”

Circumcised Heart

This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised.                                                                                                                                                          Genesis 17:8 Therefore, circumcise your hearts and be no longer stiff-necked                                                     Deuteronomy 10:16 When God asked Abraham to become circumcised, what was he asking for? I believe the context there is absolutely important. WhatContinue reading “Circumcised Heart”

The Arrow by Day

Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.             Psalm 91:7 NLT What are we to make of promises like these? Millions of boys, French, German, and British alike went into battle in what was called The Great War, before the war ofContinue reading “The Arrow by Day”

Then I Went into the Sanctuary

So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked…. I was so foolish andignorant — I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; youContinue reading “Then I Went into the Sanctuary”

Clean and Unclean

You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.”       Leviticus 10:10-11 ESV In the pagan cultures surrounding Israel, there was great concern over what was cleanContinue reading “Clean and Unclean”

Innocent but Redeemed

Give order to my life, Lord, because I have walked before you completely and have trusted you and never wavered…. There are wicked schemes in their hands; in their right hands are bribes. But I have walked before you with my whole heart; be gracious to me and redeem me.                      Psalm 26:1, 10-11 (author’s translation)Continue reading “Innocent but Redeemed”

God’s Word and Ours

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.                                                                                                                                                                 Psalm 19:14 NLT Psalm 19 seems disarmingly simple on the surface. It also seems to have a split personality. It starts out talking about nature, and then suddenly moves toContinue reading “God’s Word and Ours”