Turn away from evil and do what is good,and dwell there forever.For the Lord loves justiceand will not abandon His faithful ones.They are kept safe forever,but the children of the wicked will be destroyed.The righteous will inherit the landand dwell in it permanently. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom;his tongue speaks what is just.The instruction of his God is […]
Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.(Philippians 2:14-15 HCSB ©®) Nor should we complain as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as […]
Being identified with some people is embarrassing. Wearing certain clothes, having a ratty vehicle, or having a certain job can be causes for feeling ashamed. People who are loud or foolish or gaudy giving the appearance of being with us can make us want to move away. When I was a young Marxist, I was an embarrassment to many people […]
Jesus avoided pointless warfare and misery (John 11:41-54). He rebuked Peter, though, for suggesting that He avoid sacrifice (Matthew 16:17-23). When we learn the differences between misery we have brought on ourselves by mistakes, misery that is simply torment of our enemies that sometimes doesn’t even need to be answered, and misery that is what Paul called “suffering for you”: […]
It is easier to rebuild a roof than a foundation. And you can’t build a roof first. And if you don’t build the foundation well, you will have problems. If you have been saved five years or more and have not read the Bible at least once, you are building on a foundation that could develop problems. If you are […]
For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.(Galatians 1:10 HCSB ©®) Paul wrote that and he wrote this: We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and […]
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote […]
Solomon was given wisdom beyond measure by Yahweh. While he was young and under the influence of the Spirit of Wisdom, he ruled well and spoke and wrote many wise words, including what became most of the book we call Proverbs. As Nehemiah pointed out of him, though, Solomon “was loved by his God and God made him king over […]
Lord, You are my portionand my cup of blessing;You hold my future.The boundary lines have fallen for mein pleasant places;indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will praise the Lord who counsels me—even at night my conscience instructs me.I keep the Lord in mind always.Because He is at my right hand,I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad,and […]
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, […]