“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up” (Hosea 6:1, esv). Hosea 6:1 includes an intriguing phrase: God “has torn us, that he may heal us.” The word torn describes how a predator grabs its […]
“Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt” (Numbers 14:3, esv)? Have you ever wondered what part of “Promised Land” they didn’t understand? Israel’s whole objective, after packing […]
From that time Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17, esv). Repent is such an Old Testament word, right? We picture grizzled prophets, screeching at guilty sinners.That couldn’t be the heart of our sweet Jesus, could it? Actually, we’d be so wrong to think repentance isn’t of […]
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:23–25, […]
5Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7Deep calls to […]
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9–11, […]
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17, esv). The Christian life is not a solo venture. It requires teamwork. God has given us an incredible resource in our brothers and sisters in Christ. We desperately need each other so that when we want to quit, we can’t, […]
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign […]
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” (Luke 2:14, esv). I think we could all point to a lot of places today where we’re not exactly experiencing peace on earth, on our planet. But that’s not the kind of peace the angels were talking about […]
“For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God” (John 16:27, esv). God knows how to give good gifts to His children. Compared to our gift-giving (which isn’t too shabby, right?), God’s is infinitely better. “If you then, who are evil, know how to give […]