“They looked, but there was none to save; even to the LORD, but He did not answer them.” 2 Samuel 22:42 Looked – A few weeks ago I climbed Pacaya, an active volcano in Guatemala. The prospects sounded enticing when the trip began, but as we approached the crater, we discovered that clouds covered the…
but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Genesis 4:5 Regard – Everything important about life is found in the first three chapters of Genesis. Well, almost everything. We might have to include this story about Cain and Abel since it describes the…
And he said, “I love you, O LORD, my strength.” Psalm 18:2 (Hebrew text) I Love You – English is a troubled language when it comes to personal relationships. It has plenty of words for the nuances of relationships with things, but it is significantly lacking in words which convey the nuances of deep relationships…
But if any one does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 Denied – Do you really want to know just how much Greek philosophy has infected our view of following the Lord? Well, then consider…
In all labor there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23 Profit – Actions, not words. That’s the essence of Solomon’s wisdom on the subject of profit. But it isn’t just Solomon who advises those who will listen. Behind Solomon’s insight is a Scriptural principle that is evident…
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5:7 For – When mercy becomes personal, it is not about sympathetic affiliation. It is not about emotional compassion and identification. It is about giving up my right to justice. Only those who deserve justice can show mercy because mercy means that the rightful consequence…
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5:7 Merciful – Jesus says, “Happy the merciful”. If we think about this for more than one spiritualized moment, we will see that this thought is already backwards. The first thing we need to notice is that Jesus is not addressing the ones who need…
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5:7 Merciful – [Note: The next few Today’s Word editions are going to be a bit longer because the topic is so important.] “You get what you give.” “Do unto others as . . .” Doesn’t this Beatitude seem to tell us what is obvious? …
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience Colossians 3:12 Put On – The Greek verb enduo (put on) describes the picture of getting dressed. You go to the closet where the clothes hang. You pick out what you’re going…
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26 One / All – Liberty, equality, fraternity. The French national motto probably won’t trace its heritage back to the apostle Paul, but it should. In fact, this motto is the…
