“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 The Lord explains to Jeremiah and His people the severity and magnitude of their sin…
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3 This verse is part of a set of instructions that…
“The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” Zechariah 14:9 “King over the whole earth” means that all earthly government will cease, and the Lord will reign as King. This will be the answer to the prayers of all those…
“The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 This is a psalm of David, who revels in how God delivered him from one of the many crises he endured. “The Lord will vindicate me”, which means He will fulfill His purpose for…
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 “Repentance” leading to faith and salvation is the issue for the Lord, not times or timing. He is patient, wanting all to…
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:25 This verse contrasts earthly and eternal life. Clinging to earthly life forfeits eternal life, but losing one’s life for Christ’s sake gains life with Christ for eternity. Talk of suffering and death, taking…
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18 God pays back evildoers, so thoughts of personal “revenge” are prohibited. Perhaps vengeance belongs to God only because human vengeance often is carried out too zealously, whereas God’s vengeance is…
“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:24 In this section of Jeremiah God condemns the spiritual leaders of Judah for misleading His people. They should have warned sinners of the impending judgment, but they did…
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Although the Apostle Paul was aware that the Thessalonians might be tempted and prove themselves unfaithful, he was confident that God would strengthen and protect them. In the previous verse, he had warned them concerning…
“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 The word “hope” entails a confident expectation or active hope in the Lord – never passive resignation. “Soar … run ……