Learning to love others the way Jesus loves us
Psalm 119: 121-128 What if 2020 is the year that God begins to judge whether or not we as believers truly long for His appearing? There is no question that the Church has been complicit (either by commission or omission) in some of the evils that pervade our culture. Perhaps not in this generation, but… Continue reading AYIN
Psalm 119:113-120 Psalm 119:114 The Lord is our shield, and our faith is how we hold it up as protection against the "flaming darts of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16). Without God, we have no hope. Hope in His word is not a wish, but a sure conviction and assurance that it means what it… Continue reading SAMEKH
Psalm 119:105-112 The old illustration about how lamps light the way seems especially relevant these days. Lamps (or candles or flashlights) don't make the whole path clear, but they provide just enough illumination to safely take the next step. In these uncertain days, we can't plan very far into the future. Plans people made for… Continue reading NUN
Psalm 119:97-104 Why study scripture? Why does the psalmist say that he loves God's law and commandments? Why should we continually read and meditate on the Word of the Lord? We read, study, and meditate on God's Word because we live in a broken world where people do what is right in their own eyes.… Continue reading MEM
Psalm 119:89-96 Forever. Firmly fixed. Standing fast for all generations. Six months ago we never could have imagined the uncertainty of our current world. We can't trust anything we hear or see on the news. The economy, robust just months ago, has become fragile. Where we used to have 5-year plans, we struggle now to… Continue reading LAMEDH
Psalm 119:81-88 2020 is looking to be a year where we cry out, "How long?" How long? is a theme that returns again and again throughout scripture. This iteration has two components: physical and political. The components operate separately, but together are wreaking havoc on the US (and the world). "One nation, under God, indivisible"… Continue reading KAPH
Lamentations 4 and 5 Lamentations 4 and 5 with Proverbs 3. You, O Lord, reign forever; Your throne endures for all generations. (Lamentations 5:17) My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments. (Proverbs 3:1) So, when things go bad, we just need to learn the lesson God intended, repent… Continue reading The Lord still reigns
Lamentations 3 When times are hard, even the faithful suffer. As long as we are in this world, whatever disasters strike, from pandemics to wars to natural catastrophes, we can expect to endure along with all of humanity. The prophet in Lamentations (presumably Jeremiah) described his own suffering with the people under the Lord's judgement.… Continue reading This I call to mind
Lamentations 2 and Proverbs 21, 25 " Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice" (Proverbs 21:2-3). "The Lord has done what He purposed; He has carried out His word" ( Lamentations 2:17).… Continue reading Lamentations 2
"For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me" (Lamentations 1:16). "By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil" (Proverbs 16:6). When cities are destroyed, all the people who live there pay the price.… Continue reading Lamentations 1
Defaulting to Grace 