All the Difference

Paul cleverly shows how all three Persons of the Godhead are at work in causing evil to work for good. Jesus spreads His gospel through His people, the Spirit provides deliverance, and the Father God has it all in hand, so enemies are ultimately confounded. Therefore, the Christian can rejoice always; knowing living is Christ and dying is gain. Further, by God's empowerment, the believer can live...

Paul cleverly shows how all three Persons of the Godhead are at work in causing evil to work for good. Jesus spreads His gospel through His people, the Spirit provides deliverance, and the Father God has it all in hand, so enemies are ultimately confounded. Therefore, the Christian can rejoice always; knowing living is Christ and dying is gain. Further, by God's empowerment, the believer can live...

Paul exposes the committed affection shared between the brethren. This love is so powerful that it naturally overflows into prayers. This becomes a model for us regarding both how to partner with our brethren and how to pray for each other.

Paul exposes the committed affection shared between the brethren. This love is so powerful that it naturally overflows into prayers. This becomes a model for us regarding both how to partner with our brethren and how to pray for each other.

Paul varies his standard introduction, doing so in a marked manner meant to attract attention. While all the words are important, introducing place and personages, four terms stand out: slaves, saints, overseers, and deacons. Looking into those, we begin to understand the nature of the letter and its purpose – living joyfully together in Jesus.

Paul varies his standard introduction, doing so in a marked manner meant to attract attention. While all the words are important, introducing place and personages, four terms stand out: slaves, saints, overseers, and deacons. Looking into those, we begin to understand the nature of the letter and its purpose – living joyfully together in Jesus.

Psalm 131 describes the humility & peace of one who has learned all the lessons on this journey to worship. 133 details the blessing of bonding in God's community of brothers – something surely accentuated by the journey and a reminder needed in the press of Jerusalem. 134 finishes the song cycle with a blessing on servanthood, seemingly as both a profession and lifestyle.

Psalm 131 describes the humility & peace of one who has learned all the lessons on this journey to worship. 133 details the blessing of bonding in God's community of brothers – something surely accentuated by the journey and a reminder needed in the press of Jerusalem. 134 finishes the song cycle with a blessing on servanthood, seemingly as both a profession and lifestyle. Take these short songs t...

This may have been a song sung as one walked through the mikveh before entering the Temple gates. Its amazing message is that God saves those who don't deserve it. Hope is found only in Him.

This may have been a song sung as one walked through the mikveh before entering the Temple gates. Its amazing message is that God saves those who don't deserve it. Hope is found only in Him.

These two psalms are dominated by four great thoughts of national worship: 1. Israel has been persecuted but will always be freed by God. 2. Those who curse Israel will be cursed. 3. Worship is possible because of God's revelation through Israel. 4. The Messiah will reign over Israel as promised.

These two psalms are dominated by four great thoughts of national worship: 1. Israel has been persecuted but will always be freed by God. 2. Those who curse Israel will be cursed. 3. Worship is possible because of God's revelation through Israel. 4. The Messiah will reign over Israel as promised.

The most intriguing question is whether Psalm 127 was written by Solomon or whether some chronicler was commenting on the king's life. Regardless of the answer, these two songs work together to show that the member of God's community does not craft his own security.

The most intriguing question is whether Psalm 127 was written by Solomon or whether some chronicler was commenting on the king's life. Regardless of the answer, these two songs work together to show that the member of God's community does not craft his own security.

Unlike the stock market, God's past performance does guarantee future results. This leads to a lifestyle of joy (mentioned 4x in the psalm) – even in difficult days. The NIV displays the quatrain arrangement better, and shows the two great divisions of the song into what God has done and what we need Him to do. Verses 1-3 deal with God's restoration work, and verses 4-6 describes the continual nee...

Unlike the stock market, God's past performance does guarantee future results. This leads to a lifestyle of joy (mentioned 4x in the psalm) – even in difficult days. The NIV displays the quatrain arrangement better, and shows the two great divisions of the song into what God has done and what we need Him to do. Verses 1-3 deal with God's restoration work, and verses 4-6 describes the continual nee...

Again the rising up theme is emphasized in lifting of eyes. 123 begins with a recitation of God's graciousness and ends with a call for mercy because His people are being laughed at. Mercy is their need and desire. 125 adds the justice aspect of the theme. In the opening two verses, God's people praise that because of Hid presence they are solid no matter the circumstances. Further, this presence...

Again the rising up theme is emphasized in lifting of eyes. 123 begins with a recitation of God's graciousness and ends with a call for mercy because His people are being laughed at. Mercy is their need and desire. 125 adds the justice aspect of the theme. In the opening two verses, God's people praise that because of Hid presence they are solid no matter the circumstances. Further, this presence...

The psalmist is awash with emotion as he arrives at the edge of the place of worship. In his exultation, he shows a zeal for giving honor to God. He also shows the sense of joy we find in place familiarity and tradition. However, he recognizes eternal truths as yet unseen – coming judgment – and this reality prevents traditionalism from reducing his worship to rote function. He closes with a call...

The psalmist is awash with emotion as he arrives at the edge of the place of worship. In his exultation, he shows a zeal for giving honor to God. He also shows the sense of joy we find in place familiarity and tradition. However, he recognizes eternal truths as yet unseen – coming judgment – and this reality prevents traditionalism from reducing his worship to rote function. He closes with a call...

This song, clearly intended to be sung like a football chant at a world cup game, introduces the Lord of Freedom. God removes His people from all snares and traps and has the power to keep them free.

God is always the keeper and guardian of the covenant community and its members. He answers prayers (120:1), even for those sullied by their own sin (120:2-4) and their world environment (120:5-7). The God of Protection should be our focus (121:1), as: He created all (121:2), cares about details of our journey (121:3,8), is always on duty (121:4), is knowable through Israel's history (121:4), watc...

God is always the keeper and guardian of the covenant community and its members. He answers prayers (120:1), even for those sullied by their own sin (120:2-4) and their world environment (120:5-7). The God of Protection should be our focus (121:1), as: He created all (121:2), cares about details of our journey (121:3,8), is always on duty (121:4), is knowable through Israel's history (121:4), watc...

Daniel proves useful even to the conquering Medo-Persians. Once again, the political climate of factionalism sets Daniel up to be removed through the only avenue possible – his refusal of idolatry. He is unassailable via any other line of attack. Once again, God rescues Daniel though again, that is not the big idea in the story. The great point is that God is The Living God and is recognized as su...