“Declare among the nations and proclaim, set up a banner and proclaim, conceal it not, and say: ‘Babylon is taken, Bel is put to shame, Merodach is dismayed. Her images are put to shame, her idols are dismayed.’” Jeremiah 50:2 November 8, 2024 The Shema was the daily prayer of ancient Israelites, “Hear, O Israel! […]
The Deities Among Us Read More »
“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.” Hebrews 4:1 November 6, 2024 Do you need some rest? Many of us do after two years of nonstop political campaigning. The author of Hebrews writes to Hebrew Christians to
“But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and
Circumstantial Theology Read More »
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” Matthew 5:11 November 1, 2025 “Those who are detained can face abuse and torture in jail. Some Christians are released and monitored-and know a second arrest would mean a long prison sentence. Converts
Persecuted- Part II Read More »
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 October 30, 2024 Persecuted?! Jesus’ followers persecuted are to be envied. Is not this somewhat anticlimactic? In the words of Sinclair Ferguson, “After all, these are the very men and women the world needs.” We are reminded
Persecuted – Part I Read More »
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 October 28, 2024 The history of the human race is not pretty. Peace is hard to find. Wars and relational conflicts fill up the story of life. Jesus gives high marks for peacemakers. However, the Sermon on the Mount is not
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 October 25, 2024 Moses wanted to see God’s glory. Request denied (Ex. 33:20). He was only allowed to see “the after effects” of God’s glory. On the other hand Jesus tells that the pure in heart can see God. Jesus’ disciples have
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7 October 23, 2024 When you hear an ambulance siren do you think of mercy being on its way? The irony is that the virtue of mercy has to be rescued from its misuse. Mercy is not the road to heaven. The believer in Jesus
Undeserved Compassion Read More »
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 October 21, 2024 A friend recently described the Georgia Bulldog’s defense against Texas vividly; “these boys are playing like they haven’t eaten in weeks.” Jesus said that those who are His disciples will hunger and thirst after righteousness. We
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 October 18, 2024 “Docile, yielding, acquiescent, unresisting, compliant, spineless, weak-kneed, lamb like, unassertive, tolerant.” These are some of the words found as suggested synonyms for the word meek. Piling on further is the mockery of meekness to describe someone who doesn’t fight back
