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”

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”

Hope

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.  And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!                                                                                                     Job 19:25-27Continue reading “Hope”