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”
Tag Archives: bible
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”
Forgiveness
And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. Matthew 6:12 NLT Someone asked me if it was necessary to forgive someone who did not repent of the wrong he or she had done to you. The answer is yes. Forgiveness is all from the offended person’s side; what theContinue reading “Forgiveness”
Resting
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 NIV I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he itContinue reading “Resting”
Order
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the LORD. For the LORD is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness. Psalms 98:8-9 NLT In her novel The Bird in the Tree theContinue reading “Order”
You Shall Not Covet
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness,which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 ESVA wise man has said, “A covetous man will always be poor.” This reminds me of the commonstatement from people who grew up in the Great Depression of the 1930s: “I guess we werepoor,Continue reading “You Shall Not Covet”
Progress
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT As we look into a new year we think of progress. Where does that idea come from,Continue reading “Progress”
Fitting Together
As [Joseph] considered this an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream Matthew 1:20a One of the amazing characteristics of the Bible is the way things fit together. Parts of it that are centuries apart in very different historical settings and very different types of literature fit together in amazing ways. SoContinue reading “Fitting Together”
Heavenly Peace?
When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgaveour transgressions. (Ps. 65:3 NIV) My favorite Christmas carol is “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” but I confess when I sing “How silently the wondrous gift is given” I wiggle a little bit. Rev. Phillips Brooks was a bachelor and I wonder a bit how much he knewContinue reading “Heavenly Peace?”
Pleasure
. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death James 1:15 You show me the path of life Psalm 16:11 Delight yourself in the Lord,Continue reading “Pleasure”