I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me, because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:7-8 ESV Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV The middle of the night has been an unexpected friend as of late. Lying awake…
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace, Ephesians 1:7 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28 Years ago, I remember reading a book centered around the blood covenant. I read that book several times, taking in the types and shadows found in the Old Testament, the tabernacle, the sacrifices, the High Priest, the Passover,…
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve. Romans 16:17,18 ESV Calling out false teaching and the teachers perpetuating such things is a touchy subject for some. There are beliefs that names should not be…
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself…They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:27,32 ESV The journey to Emmaus by two disciples of Christ did not end the way that it began. What started as a somber and sad time from Jerusalem to Emmaus became a…
“Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.” Psalm 105:15, 1 Chronicles 16:22 NASB When addressing the super apostles that were coming against Paul’s ministry to the Corinthian church and soliciting them for notoriety and greed, Paul counters their boasting by providing an account of his sufferings as an Apostle of Christ, saying, “Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one- I am talking like a madman- with far greater labors, far more imprisonments,…
Have you ever had thoughts that you knew if said out loud could breed contention? It is probably safe to say that there is quite a bit you and I keep to ourselves. Maybe we do it out of intimidation or fear, or maybe we do it to spare someone’s feelings. Maybe we refrain from asking tough questions because of the aftershock it could bring. But there comes a time when the tough things need to be said, and tough…
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV The phrase “redeeming the time” might lead you to think that I am going to be talking about God redeeming the time of a trial or hardship, and that what you have lost, God will give it back to…
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19 ESV I was a false prophet. It’s true. The realization of that is grieving and freeing at the same time because the truth of His Word and the mercy and grace of God have set me free. I…
When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an…
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the…