Today’s post is part of our Psalm Saturdays series from guest blogger Robert Chamberlain. You can read his archives at www.roberlain.wordpress.com . Psalm 131:1–3 (ESV)1 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy … Continue reading Knowledge
Reading the Word “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV) Understanding and Applying the Word We all make plans. We are even told that we should think about the future and … Continue reading What about Your Plans?
Reading the Word Job 38:1–7 (ESV) 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and … Continue reading Our Lack of Understanding
Reading the Word Psalm 34:8–10 (ESV) 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Understanding and Applying the Word A friend of mine lost his wife just a few days ago. I attended the funeral service today. It was a beautiful tribute to a woman who loved the Lord, her husband, and her family and … Continue reading Taste and See that the Lord Is Good
Reading the Word Psalm 56:1–4 (ESV) 1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; 2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Understanding and Applying the Word Have you ever felt attacked or looked down upon for being a Christian? Have you ever been made fun of or left … Continue reading Have No Fear
Reading the Word Matthew 27:11–14 (ESV) 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Parallel Text: Mark 15:2-5 Understanding and Applying the Word Pilate was amazed as he questioned … Continue reading Quiet Confidence
Reading the Word Matthew 21:20–22 (ESV) 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Parallel Text: Mark 11:20-26; John 14:12-14 Understanding and Applying the Word When … Continue reading The Power of Prayer
Reading the Word Luke 19:1–10 (ESV) 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come … Continue reading A Man Willing To Give It All Back
Reading the Word Luke 18:15–17 (ESV) 15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Understanding and Applying the Word People were bringing their children to Jesus “that he might touch them.” Such a touch would have been … Continue reading Like a Child
Reading the Word Luke 17:5–6 (ESV) 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Understanding and Applying the Word Jesus’ disciples, after hearing him teach asked him to increase their faith. They wanted the amount of faith necessary to live according to Jesus’ words. Jesus’ response shows us that the apostles were thinking wrongly about faith. Jesus does not tell them how to increase … Continue reading Increase Our Faith
