For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NASB Spiritual forces of wickedness – Churches before the Reformation were visual reminders of the power of Satan and the specter of Hell. When you entered, you almost always found something…
Tomorrow my daughter and I will visit the Vatican. She has come to Italy to see us, our first house guest in nearly two years. She will stay during her birthday (June 11) while we take a rather special trip around Italy. She has never been here, so the Vatican is a “must see.” I’ll…
“I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;” Ezekiel 20:37 NASB Rod – One of the tenets of conservative Christianity is that the Bible must be interpreted by the Bible. What it means is this: if I accept the claim that God is the real…
Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 NASB We – Two thousand years after Paul wrote this letter, we are forced to read it as if he were writing to…
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to [a]desire and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 NASB Work out – Recently I conducted a month-long study…
His money he does not give at interest and no bribe for the innocent takes. He who does these things will never stumble. Psalm 15:5 Robert Alter Never Stumble – When the Medici started the banking system in Florence, they invented Western economics. They created the world of debt. They loaned to the King of England…
The debased in his eyes is repugnant but to LORD-fearers he accords honor. When he vows to his fellow man, he does not revoke it. Psalm 15:4 Robert Alter Repugnant – The NASB translation offers some synonyms that help us understand the sense of this verse: “A despicable person is despised in his eyes, but…
Who slanders not with his tongue nor does to his fellow man evil nor bears reproach for his kin. Psalm 15:3 Robert Alter Bears reproach – The English isn’t common. “Reproach,” what is that? Other translations attempt to explain: “casts slur,” “cast scorn,” “brings shame,” “discredits,” “bribes,” “spreads rumors,” “defames” are some of the synonyms…
He does not slander with his tongue, nor do evil to his neighbor, nor bring shame on his friend; Psalm 15:3 NASB Slander – The Hebrew word here is rāgal. Once you know that, you might be shocked at this translation. You see, only one time in twenty-four occurrences is it translated “slander.” In the other twenty-three instances…
One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. Psalm 15:2 NASB In his heart – “Speaks truth in his heart.” What is that? Unvoiced agreement? Inner affirmation? What good is it in the public arena to speak the truth in the heart? If you don’t say a word, who would know? What…
