I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.For [if it were possible] I would wish that I myself were accursed, [separated, banished] from Christ for the sake [of the salvation] of my brothers, my natural kinsmen, who are Israelites …(Romans 9:2-4a, Amplified...
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and...
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music. (Psalm 98:4) One of my favorite Easter memories from childhood is of trumpet fanfares accompanying the great Easter hymns. The exuberant brass expressed bursting-at-the-seams joy to...
Jesus wept. (John 11:35) I have not seen the movie The Passion of the Christ,though I know many people found it deeply moving. One reason is my belief that the physical pain of the flogging and crucifixion was not the worst part of Jesus’ suffering...
But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men…” (Judges 7:4) Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him. (Psalm 37:7) As Gideon prepared to go to battle against the Midianites, the Lord told him something...
For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling … and set me high upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5) Public service announcements preach emergency preparedness. We are advised to visit ready.gov to learn how to prepare for natural disasters such as...
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish … so is My word that goes out from My mouth. It will not return to Me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent...
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) The big sign along the road...
[The wicked] close up their callous hearts … (Psalm 17:10) Jesus to his disciples: Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? (Mark 8:17) As a student in college and graduate school, I spent countless hours gripping a writing utensil. I...
will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me … (Habakkuk 2:1) A good conversationalist knows the importance of asking good questions and then shutting up to listen to the response...