Luke 3:7-9 ESV John the Baptist “said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I … Continue reading Bear Fruits in Keeping with Repentance
Year: 2023
God’s Enduring and Righteous Rules
Psalms 119:155-160 ESV “Salvation is far from the wicked,for they do not seek your statutes.Great is your mercy, O Lord;give me life according to your rules.Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,but I do not swerve from your testimonies.I look at the faithless with disgust,because they do not keep your commands.Consider how I love your … Continue reading God’s Enduring and Righteous Rules
Man’s Oppression
Psalms 119:134-136 ESV “Redeem me from man's oppression,that I may keep your precepts.Make your face shine upon your servant,and teach me your statutes.My eyes shed streams of tears,because people do not keep your law.” This is a prayer to be released (liberated, delivered) from man’s oppression, i.e. from his persecution, abuse, cruelty and mistreatment, i.e. … Continue reading Man’s Oppression
Those Who Live in Self-Indulgence
James 5:1-6 ESV “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the … Continue reading Those Who Live in Self-Indulgence
Submit Yourselves to God
James 4:1-3 ESV “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and … Continue reading Submit Yourselves to God
Family Ties
We give them birth, and then they’re grown,And now they’ve families all their own,But ne’er do they depart our hearts,Of us they’ll always be a part. They ne’er will stop from being our kids,We do not wish from us to rid,We hope they’ll stay part of our lives,We hope beyond us they’ll survive. We love … Continue reading Family Ties
Joking and Teasing
James 3:13-18 ESV “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, … Continue reading Joking and Teasing
Controlling the Tongue
James 3:1-12 ESV “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If … Continue reading Controlling the Tongue
The Lord Sees Not as Humans See
Man Looks on the Outward Appearance God had rejected Saul as king over Israel, so he sent his prophet Samuel to anoint as king one of the sons of Jesse. And so God told Samuel that he was to anoint for him whom God would declare to him. So Samuel did what the Lord commanded … Continue reading The Lord Sees Not as Humans See
Works? Or No Works?
James 2:18-24,26 ESV “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, … Continue reading Works? Or No Works?
Run With It 