Posts from 2017 (Page 3)

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (‭‭Judges‬ ‭17:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) If we peel back the layers of modern philosophy we will find a common root ideal amongst most of them.  This ideal loosely stated is that the meaning of life is to live it in…

 Psalms 112 is my life’s verse and I think the Message translation does a good job articulating the Purpose of the Psalm: being a person after God’s heart is its own reward. “Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear GOD,  Who cherish and relish his commandments, Their children robust on the earth,  And the homes of the upright—how blessed! Their houses…

“…diligence is man’s precious possession.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) If polled and asked the question “what encouragement should we stop giving others?” I would likely answer “believe in yourself”.  Of course, my primary basis for this is the Christian…

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭7:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) Red letters, Christ’s own words, have a unique way of checkmating our self-righteousness. I imagine at the time when “the sun never set in the English Empire” the bold captains of…

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.  (Matthew 5:39-42) I…

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭6:27‬ ‭NASB‬‬) Between Beckley and Princeton there is a billboard which reads, “real christians love their enemies”.  In all honesty we can only speculate on the intent of this billboard.  We can assume the intent is geopolitical issues or we can assume this is a…

“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” (‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭1:13-14‬ ) I pray before I start my day and I read my Bible before I go run well before the sun rises.  I am really good at these spiritual disciplines until…

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Corinthians 4:18 NKJV) I think it wise for a Christian to abstain…

“And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) If asked and I have not been, I would answer the question: what could churches be teaching in a more profound manner?: the reality of evil. I think it is important to understand that evil is real and…

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25) During the time of the Judges Israel was something like a confederation of tribes and cities. While a study of the word suggests the people maintained a ethnic/religious identity, they had yet to be fused into what we understand as the nation of Israel. The people…