O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. But when I am afraid, I will Read more
“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember Read more
“Son of man,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day. They are a stubborn and Read more
Then David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200 men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him. They went out to meet David and his men, and David greeted Read more
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. As I watch the news, listen to historical perspectives on the attacks, and remember where I was that day, only Read more
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Read more
In the last post, I noted how the new birth in the life of a disciple automatically yields fruit like mercy and purity. Jesus continues that line of thought, describing disciples in the Kingdom as “peacemakers.” Surely, this can apply Read more
“You will surely die, Ahimelech, along with your entire family!” the king shouted. And he ordered his bodyguards, “Kill these priests of the Lord, for they are allies and conspirators with David! They knew he was running away from me, Read more
A genuine conversion experience brings genuine change. If there is no genuine change then something has gone awry along the way. Jesus later tells us in the Sermon on Mount, that “you will know them by their fruits.” When a Read more
And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be Read more