Too Late

Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day. 1 Samuel 8:18 Will Not Answer – America’s political beauty contest is over.  America has a new king.  While the world applauds the peaceful transfer of power,…

Gods of War

and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Genesis 1:2 Was Moving Over – It’s a clarion call, a red banner, a sky rocket announcement and headliner.  This God is different!  If you don’t realize just how different the Genesis account is, then you will miss the great revelation of…

Ciphers

according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets Romans 16:25-26 Mystery – “Why don’t they see it?”  The question concerned the Jews, but it could just as easily be applied to anyone who finds the claims…

Gender Bias

Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsman, and my fellow-prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Romans 16:7 Junias – The role of women in the church is perhaps one of the more incendiary issues among conservative denominations.  Marshalling verses from Paul’s letters, especially from remarks in Corinthians, many…

The Missing Résumé

For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed. Romans 15:18 Resulting In – When you read this statement from Paul, do you find it a bit perplexing?  Given the popular Christian view of evangelism, doesn’t this…

The Real World

and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men, for faith is not in all. 2 Thessalonians 3:2 Perverse and Evil Men – Christians tend to think the best of people.  They are often more forgiving, more tolerant and more embracing than non-believers.  That’s usually because the character of God’s goodness modifies their…

Compound Interest

And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false 2 Thessalonians 2:11 Deluding Influence – The refusal to believe has some very serious side effects.  These side effects are immediate, not a delayed reaction of eternal punishment.  But here’s the really scary part.  Those…

Sunburned Sin

but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard.  So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Genesis 4:5 Very Angry – Since Hebrew is a phenomenological language, it expresses most human emotions in picturesque descriptions of physical phenomena.  Cain’s reaction is a perfect example.  The Hebrew text is yi- khar  me-od,…

Looking On The Commandments

Uphold me that I may be safe, that I may have regard for Your statutes continually. Psalm 119:117 Regard – How do you look upon God’s instructions?  Oh, I know that you will probably say you treat them with respect and honor.  Of course, if you don’t follow them then your honor is nothing more…

Searing Stares

“Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again before I depart and am no more.” Psalm 39:13 Turn Your Gaze Away – Once more we encounter the Hebrew verb sha’ah.  Now it’s translated “turn away.”  Of course, we know that this is a nuance of the basic meaning of looking upon.  But…