The Heavenly Genie

Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD.” Genesis 4:1  NASB With The Help Of – In an absolutely wonderful book, The Beast That Crouches At The Door, Rabbi David Fohrman calls…

Saying It Nicely

Woe to the world because of its stumbling-blocks!  For it is inevitable that stumbling-blocks come, but woe to that man through whom the stumbling-block comes! Matthew 18:7 Woe – Apparently Jesus never read “The Emily Post Guide For Prophets.”  He wasn’t trained in the etiquette of delivering a condemning message nicely.  His word choice is…

Consequently

conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth 1 Peter 1:17 In Fear –  A graduate student made the following insightful remark in class:  “Faith is not believing in spite of the evidence.  Faith is obeying in spite of the consequence.”  That’s worth reading again.  Too often we are told that…

The Cost of Discipleship

“Every branch in Me not bearing fruit He takes it away; and each one bearing fruit He prunes so that it may bear more fruit” John 15:2 Takes Away – If it weren’t for the promise of the help of the Spirit, following the Lord would be unavoidably discouraging.  Just think about what Yeshua says…

Human Reduction

These are the ones setting themselves apart, animal-like ones, not having the Spirit.  Jude 19 Animal-like Ones – What happens when men and women continue to resist God?  Most would say that they will perish in their sin.  That’s true, but that puts the focus on the end of their lives.  Jude offers an additional…

Theological Propaganda

For the law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (KJV) John 1:17 But – You won’t find the Greek word for this translation in Today’s Word index because there is no Greek word in the original text.  The translation adds the word “but” to the sentence.  That little addition…

Anti-chaotic

From the sacrifice of the peace offerings he shall present an offering by fire to YHWH Leviticus 3:3 Peace Offerings – “Peace on earth.”  Isn’t that what we want?  The consistent cry of the nations is “Peace!”  But, of course, there is no peace because we have forgotten that the declaration of peace does not…

Headline News

“Look among the nations!  Observe! Be astonished!  Wonder!  Because I am doing something in your days – You would not believe if you were told,” Habakkuk 1:5 Be Astonished! –  Perhaps CNN needs to hire Habakkuk.  Take a few minutes to read the opening verses of this often neglected prophet and you will discover a…

Demolition Work

“Return, O faithless sons,” declares YHWH; “For I am a master to you, and I will take you one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” Jeremiah 3:14 Return/Faithless – God is in the destruction business.  Yes, I know.  We often think of God as the One…

Biting The Hand

“Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire?  Yet My people have forgotten Me, days without number.” Jeremiah 2:32 Forgotten – If you look up the definition of “forget” even in a Hebrew dictionary, you are likely to read something about the loss of memory.  Yes, that’s true.  “Forget” does mean something…