2018
John 14:12-14 Personal fruitfulness_
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If…
Read MoreProverbs 11:21 Hand to hand_
Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered. Proverbs 11:21 NASB The Emphasized Bible’s more literal translation says: “Hand to hand the wicked man shall not be held innocent, but the seed of the righteous has been delivered.” The expression “hand to hand” conjures a few…
Read MorePersonal Life Lessons, part 1_
A personal testimony about my journey in becoming like Him.
Read MoreJohn 5:26 In him was life_
For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. John 5:26 NIV Seeing and doing. This is Jesus’ theme in this conversation. Earlier he says in verse 19; he can do only what he sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the…
Read MoreJohn 5:37-40 Self-deception and the starting point for change_
And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the…
Read MoreProverbs 11:20 Delighting Him_
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their walk are His delight. Proverbs 11:20 NASB Can you imagine making the Lord delighted? At the core of my being I feel that desire to love God and please Him. This is what motivates me every day — at least…
Read MoreProverbs 11:19 Life or death_
Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death. Proverbs 11:19 NIV The NAS translates it: “He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life…” Life or death are constantly staring us down in the minutia of our daily choices. It sounds so dramatic to say that, but in reality we are…
Read MoreProverbs 11:18 Wages and rewards_
The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. Proverbs 11:18 NASB The Rotherham translation says: “The lawless man earns the wages of falsehood, but he that sows righteousness has the reward of fidelity.” Fidelity is the observance of a promise, loyalty, or faithfulness (to your spouse), and accuracy. We…
Read MoreProverbs 11:17 Mercy or cruelty_
The merciful man does himself good, But the cruel man does himself harm. Proverbs 11:17 NASB I love the irony; being merciful compassion or forbearance offered to another for their benefit, yet Solomon says it actually helps the one offering it. The same affect also applies to the cruel man — causing someone pain is…
Read MoreProverbs 11:16 Honor or riches_
A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches. Proverbs 11:16 NKJV The second part of the proverb is translated various ways: “diligent men” (Rotherham), “violent men” (NAS), “strong men” (KJV). The Hebrew word means: mighty, oppressor, in great power, strong, terrible, violent and usually applied in a negative context. Both graciousness and ruthlessness…
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