“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 “Conformed” is to be outwardly molded to fit a pattern. Obviously, Believers should not be molded by…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 The Lord here places considerable emphasis on His unchangeable plan to bring peace and not evil to His people. There was a future and…
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” Proverbs 1:8-9 The opening words of wisdom’s instruction come as an appeal from parents to their son (a generic term for child) – a theme that…
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1 In this verse, David declares his complete dependence on God. “My soul finds rest” implies a calm attitude produced by confidence and peace in the Lord. David expresses silent resignation before the sovereign will of the living God. His confidence is…
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:20-21 Wisdom leads to a glorious future; it is a doorway to eternity. In the New Testament the idea that corresponds…
“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 This verse is part of a section where God is telling His people to worship and follow Him only. The revelation of God through Moses was…
“I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.” Isaiah 43:11-12 “I, even I, am the Lord” is an emphatic confession similar to the…
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 David wrote this Psalm when he was in the Desert of Judah. Even in the wilderness and on the run, David expresses his…
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4 The word “trust” means “to commit oneself fully to. The “Lord Himself” is an emphatic designation of God. The word “rock” translates two Hebrew terms “rock or cliff face” and “massive rock or boulder.” The word occurs many…
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6 To “seek the Lord” is to seek His Word. The term “seek” stems from the translation of two Hebrew terms … one is “look for”, and the other is “care about, examine, inquire.” The Old Testament indicates the…