Tag Archives: God

The Shadow of Death; December 7, 2024


Isaiah 9:2 he people walking in darkness    have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness    a light has dawned. This passage came up a few weeks ago, because the theme of our readings was Light, but at … Continue reading

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Nostalgia; December 6, 2024


Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things;    do not dwell on the past.” Recently I have read that nostalgia was long considered a very negative thing, but today we speak of “the good old days.” We have a song about it, Those … Continue reading

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Preparing the Way for the Lord; December 4, 2024


Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling:“In the wilderness prepare    the way for the Lord;make straight in the desert    a highway for our God.” Different translations divide the first part of this differently, over whether the voice is in the wilderness or the road is … Continue reading

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Anticipation; December 3, 2024


Isaiah 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. What follows is a glorious description of the Messiah and His kingdom, so beautiful that it has caught the imagination of people down through … Continue reading

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Reading the Bible; December 2, 2024


Psalm 89:29 I will establish his line forever,    his throne as long as the heavens endure. Modern Jews should have a problem with this verse, because there is no reliable record of the genetic lineage of David today. In fact, the … Continue reading

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Prophets and Prophecy; December 1, 2024


Deuteronomy 18:22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed. Verses 15 and 18 have long been considered … Continue reading

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God’s Grace; November 30, 2024


John 1:16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. This first chapter of John is absolutely foundational to Christian faith. It establishes that Christ is pre-existent before all things, and that He is the … Continue reading

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Standards; November 29, 2024


Luke 16:15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” This issue comes up again and again in the Bible. Human … Continue reading

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Human Value; November 28, 2024


Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. One of the … Continue reading

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Legalism; November 27, 2024


Luke 11:42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former … Continue reading

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