Tag Archives: faith

Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 72  And immediately therooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crowstwice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:71-72 NLTIn theContinue reading “Unintentional Sin 2”

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.                                                                                                                                                            James 3:17 NLT Why do we so oftenContinue reading “Contending for the Truth”

Yahweh, God of Heaven’s Armies, Yahweh is how he should be remembered. So now, come back to your God, carefully doing steadfast love and justice, continually depending on him.              Hosea 12:6-7 Author’s translation If personal gain is made the highest end truth cannot stand. Neither can marriage, nor private property, nor ordinary human relations. The entireContinue reading “Personal Gain”

But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.                                                                                                         Continue reading “Achieving God’s Agenda”

Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I have not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.                                                                         Matthew 5:17 NLT True circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit.  Continue reading “Centripetal not Centrifugal”

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.                                                                                                                         Matthew 7:12 NLT I think these are the most shocking words in the Bible. All the Torah and the Prophets? Really?! 780 pages can be distilled downContinue reading “The Lamb’s Weapon”

“For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil who had the power of death.”                                                                                                                           Hebrews 2:14 NLT There are three errors we need to avoid when thinking about Satan. First we must not think of him as a comic creature:Continue reading “Satan”

With his own blood – not the blood of goats and calves – he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.                                                                                            Hebrews 9:12 NLT Everyone who takes the Bible seriously and at face value recognizes that Jesus’ death and resurrection are of ultimate importance if we humansContinue reading “Atonement”

I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. How happy I was with the world he created; I rejoiced with the human family.                                                             Proverbs 8:30-31 NLT What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to theContinue reading “He Cares”

Henry Van Dyke, poet, preacher, author, published a beautiful hymn in 1911. It is full of triumphal optimism, an optimism that sounded perfectly normal at that moment in time. Western Christian culture, European and American, had in the previous century, the 19th, seemingly conquered every conceivable challenge, whether in science or philosophy or mechanics orContinue reading “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”