Tag: jesus
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(8′) Jonah & Taking A Chance
~ In the story of Jonah, in the Old Testament, Jonah’s running away is the cause of stormy seas. And apparently, the only way that the stormy seas can be allayed is if Jonah is thrown into the sea. Here is an excerpt: 12 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and…
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(7′) The Lord, God our RearGuard
Isaiah 52:12 says But you will not leave in haste or go in flight;for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Comment/Devo:~ Isaiah is recognized by many scholars as a masterful writer. His Hebrew, while among the most difficult in the Bible, is also among the most…
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(40) Either/Or vs. One-Sided Contentedness
~In the Bible, I think we can see two forms of contentedness: 1. Either/Or Contentedness: “Stay tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good…” (Ruth 3:13a). “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to…
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(6′) Wisdom & Action Pattern in the Bible
Indeed, turn anywhere you want in the Bible, especially the Poetic and Wisdom literature (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, etc.) and you will find that wisdom is associated with action. For example, “… when hands are idle, the house leaks” (Eccles. 10:18b). “As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed” (Prov.…
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(38) Job and Multiplying Thoughts, Emotions and Words
In the book of Job in the Bible, after Job is hit with harsh trials, he is initially calm. His early/first response is, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) Even when his wife tells him to curse God and die, he refuses. His…
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(35) Negativity Bias & Miserable Comforters
You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! ~ Job 14:4 “I have heard many things like these; you are miserable comforters, all of you! ~ Job 16:2 It turns out we humans are naturally inclined to think more negatively than positively — a tendency researchers call negativity bias. This…
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(5′) Knowing vs. Teaching | Bezalel & Oholiab
~ In the book of Exodus, we find mentioned, two artists par excellent. These are Bezalel and Oholiab. One place among many that you can read about them is Exodus 35:30-35, 30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of…
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(4′) Two Kings, Two Outcomes
“And Jehoshaphat said … ‘O our God, will you not judge them, for there is no power in us before this great multitude that is coming against us. Now we do not know what we shall do, for our eyes are upon you.’ … Then the Spirit of Yahweh came upon Jahaziel … And he…
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(25) Psalm 22 & Self-Deprecation
Psalm 22:6 – “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.”Psalm 139:14 – “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I thought that I had finally found a Psalm with self-deprecation, viz. Psalm 22:6, but as I analyzed it, I saw that I was…
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(1′) The Final Word Is Profit
~ In the above verse, when Isaiah uses the word profit, he is not speaking in a business sense. That is to say, he is not discussing say net profit or ROI. ~ What Isaiah is talking about is something much larger and deeper. He is talking about flourishing and this in many ways such…
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(17) Water Under the Bridge (B)
When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll…
The Dew and the Rain 