Scripture: Hosea 11:8-9 “Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I [...]
Scripture: Luke 6:37 “Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you.” Observation: Heh – another NLT specialty that should really be translated as “don’t condemn” rather than “don’t criticize.” Que sera, sera. Sometime before Christmas break I realized (again) how critical I am and how ugly it is. Every criticism is devoid [...]
Scripture: Colossians 1:19-20 “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross.” Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For [...]
Scripture: Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Observation: I read this verse yesterday for a study I’m doing on staff. I don’t remember what the question [...]
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:15 “How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” Observation: I have a dear friend engaged to an unbeliever – an unbeliever I love. When I initially read this verse (from yesterday’s reading), I just got this sick feeling like I should tell my friend “No! Don’t do it!” Fortunately, [...]
Scripture: Mark 6:56 “Wherever Christ went – in villages and cities and out on the farms – they laid the sick in the market plazas and streets. The sick begged him to let them at least touch the fringe of his robe, and all who touched it were healed.” Observation: Jesus’ ministry … even when [...]
Scripture: Job 19:25-27 “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the eart 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 [...]