Jerusalem, with its glorious throne and holy temple, was to be a magnet, pulling their hearts to the Lord. Let’s take a deeper look at Psalm 125. As we’ve noted, the first two verses are about God’s presence and His protection. Then verse 3 is a promise: “For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to […]
JESUS’ GRACE with COMMON FOLK: “Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:4). Jesus was known for His patience with the disadvantaged and His love for common folk. “He erected three monuments to humble service: a cup of cold water, a widow’s two mites, and the […]
“The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live” (Ps 119:144). Few things last. Shakespeare penned the words: “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more” (Macbeth). Or in more contemporary terms: “Some things matter, […]
There is great irony in the notion that salvation means “giving your life to Christ.” Sinners are dead and have no life to give; it is Christ who gives His life to us. Note four precious New Testament phrases that remind us of God’s four bank accounts from which He pours out His resources to […]
Some Jews today use Shaddai as an acronym for Shomer Daltot Yisrael, “Guardian of Israel’s doors.” Today an Orthodox Jew would not read the words of Psalm 125:1-2 as they’re written: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people […]
The SON, the FATHER’S DELIGHT (Part 2): “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (Jn 14:13). The crucified Son now sits on the Throne dispensing grace. How did He get there? No less than 16x we are told that God raised His […]
“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for […]
Johnny Wagner fled from a drunken father and an abusive stepmother when only eight. He was drinking by age eleven and, apart from a stint overseas with the 132nd Infantry, Johnny spent most of his life begging money for liquor on Chicago’s Skid Row. He was well known to the police and a frequent occupant […]
The SON, the FATHER’S DELIGHT (Part 1): “He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (2 Pet 1:17). We know “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His […]