Tag Archives: sin

Storms; October 1, 2024


Psalm 38:3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;    there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. Thinking about this Psalm, two thoughts come to mind. The first is to wonder how often and with what … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sin and Repentance; September 3, 2024


James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. It strikes me that the specific sin given as an example here is partiality. Most people don’t even think … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Temptation; August 31, 2024


Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. This verse keeps popping up, but we still don’t like to think of Jesus being tempted. In that, we deny … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forgiveness; August 7, 2024


Matthew 18:35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Wow! Just this past Sunday I quoted Matthew 6:14-15 in the message, saying that it was a … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Great Physician; August 2, 2024


Matthew 9:12-13 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” It’s … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Substitutionary Repentance; July 25, 2024


Daniel 9:18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. This prayer is often held … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forgiveness; July 13, 2024


Psalm 130:3-4 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,    Lord, who could stand?But with you there is forgiveness,    so that we can, with reverence, serve you. The Japanese here includes something that I think is an interpolation, but it’s not unreasonable. It … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Respect; July 12, 2024


Psalm 123:3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us,    for we have endured no end of contempt. This is an interesting, brief Psalm. It rather goes against the little rhyme most English-speakers learn as children: “Sticks and stones may break … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Genuine Repentance; July 4, 2024


Psalm 51:17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;    a broken and contrite heart    you, God, will not despise. This is a very important and very familiar Psalm, and every line of it resonates in my heart as I read it. The circumstances … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Mercy; June 14, 2024


Genesis 19:16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. Sometimes God’s mercy might … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment