This week has been a convicting one. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have … Continue reading
I know I’m supposed to be content.. and I’m going to get a good ‘talking-to’ after writing this.. but I just want what Jesse McMillan has. You can read about what he is going through at his wife, Ashley’s, blog here. Jesse recently found out he has a massive tumor on his brain. I’m not … Continue reading
ESV scripture Re-written in my words 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. You must no longer be futile in your mind like you were towards God, like the gentiles are now. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life … Continue reading
For a long time I thought that the ‘fear of death’ was the fear of physical death. While it is partially that, I believe that the author of Hebrews was also talking about dying to self in order to live for God. Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook … Continue reading
8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther … Continue reading
5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the … Continue reading
After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel … Continue reading
The 3 books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, which cover about 100 years (538 -432B.C.), form the closing section of Old Testament history. They tell the story of the Jew’s return from Babylon, of the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem, and of the reestablishment of the Jewish national life in their homeland. The last … Continue reading
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set … Continue reading
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15 While reading is the basis of our growth in Christ, there must come a time when we begin to delve deeper into His word so we … Continue reading
Today there was this ‘good’ vs. ‘bad’ thing going on in my head during church. Or maybe it was more like a ‘spirit’ vs. ‘flesh’ thing. This has been going on for some time each Sunday as we come in to service and begin to sing. Part of me does NOT want to sing… and … Continue reading
5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him … Continue reading
Prior to leaving for Israel, our group had several meetings to prepare us for the terrain and overall lay of the land that we were about to explore. One thing that was left off our agenda was a list of exactly where we would go. We knew the area – we would be in Israel … Continue reading
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but … Continue reading
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able … Continue reading
Jesus is Tested in the Wilderness At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. – Mark 1:12-13 Matthew 4 Luke 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After … Continue reading
Waw 41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise; 42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word. 43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. 44 I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. 45 I will … Continue reading
He 33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn … Continue reading
Daleth 25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. 26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. 27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to … Continue reading
(ESV) Released From the Law, Bound to Christ Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but … Continue reading
