"Clothe yourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Romans 13:14)This expression of Paul's is not uncommon in his writings. We know that his religious background includes an intimate understanding of the Torah and a zeal to defend and enforce it (check out the summary of his religious credentials in Philippians 3:5-6). He would have been intimately familiar with the involved religious apparel of prie...  Read More

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in shalom with all people." (Romans 12:18, TLV)Genuine agape-love (Romans 12:9) impacts all my living. Because of that, my concern will be the total well-being of others, their shalom, their peace. This is the outflow of loving one another deeply (Romans 12:10). These verses look and sound like proverbs. As such, I love the wisdom of Paul, they remin...  Read More

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36, NASB95)3...  Read More

"Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him;I will protect him because he knows my name." (Psalm 91:14, CSB)You have most certainly heard it said, mostly in a negative or critical context, "It's not what you know, but who you know." Quite clearly, the Psalmist shares this view, but in the opposite context. Those whose focus is God, His glory, His will, His mission, are the ones who 'kn...  Read More

I'm not always sure why, but often on days such as this, I am drawn to a phrase, or a verse, so that is where I stay for a moment. What you read will be familiar. That is not a bad thing. Perhaps you need to be reminded of God's gracious pursuit...for yourself, for your loved one, for the lost one you have been lifting in prayer, or the rebellious one whose wandering is causing you grief. "And Isa...  Read More

"That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring." (Romans 9:8, CSB)Children of the promise...don't you love that phrase? Child of wonder, child of grace, child of love...all of these 'labels' come to mind. Today I am reminded who I am, who you are in Him. This reminds me of the apostle John in his prolo...  Read More