BUILDING ON BEDROCK

We pick up after the murder of Abel by Cain.  In what ways are Abel and Christ alike...and not?  Cain is not merely judged; he's cursed.  Whose class does that put him in?  And how is his response to God's sentence being followed today?  I trust everyone who listens is edified by God's Word!   

This is one of the longest, AND most important, Reflections I've recorded so far!  Cain and Abel's sacrifices, and especially their results, have been repeated throughout history, down to our present time.  We consider the difference between Biblical faith and "religion".  What did God mean when He said that sin's "desire is for you" to Cain?  And where do we stand on the most important choice in...

We examine the sacrifices of Cain and Abel.  How did God manifest His acceptance of Abel's?  Why did He respect Abel's sacrifice but not Cain's? (hint: I found 3 reasons)  Finally, a word of exhortation about approaching God today.  As always, I hope it's a blessing!  

We return to Genesis and pick up in chapter 4.  We consider the births of Cain and Abel, and Eve's probable attitude based on their names.  As they grew up, they chose their professions.  We consider their respective offerings, and our own concept of "worship".  Be blessed! 

We conclude our Reflections on Psalm 8, beginning with a review.  We consider the kinds of dominion given: first to humanity, then to Jesus Himself.  How accurate is the phrase "the paths of the sea" in this Psalm?  And the Psalm closes as it opens: exalting God!  Trusting it's a blessing!

Continuing my Reflections on Psalm 8, we see evidence that David knew the Book of Genesis.  We begin to consider the Psalm's two applications, the various meanings of the Hebrew word "Elohim", and the Psalm's Messianic overtones.  David wrote about Jesus Christ...about a thousand years before He came to earth!  The outro contains a reference to my three evangelistic ebooks!  As always, I hope it b...

Having finished Matthew 1, we know move on to Psalm 8.  We consider why the first line isn't redundant, the words "excellent" and "glory", and how God's glory can be "above the heavens."  And exactly how did God "ordain strength" "out of the mouths of babes" etc?  (Hint: the answer's in the New Testament).  Please refrain from giving your answers until you've heard mine.  As always, I hope it's a...

We consider two mysterious prophetic references: first "Out of Egypt", connecting Abraham & Sarah, Moses and Jesus, AND our status as "sojourners".  Another reference to Joseph's obedience, and then the "Nazarene" reference.  Why don't we find that in the Old Testament?  And what significance does it have for us today?

This is one of the most difficult & yet most important Reflections I've done.  I t deals with what I believe is one of the most tragic passages of the New Testament: Matt. 1:16-18.  What happens when insanity controls authority.  We consider human depravity, and whether civilization & education have really improved us.  We refer to Pharoah's similar orders centuries earlier, and our own current si...

We begin to focus on Herod.  Then we consider why the Wise Men didn't obey his instructions.  We look at Joseph's dreams, and the angel's carefully chosen words.  Why was he told to run away?  And why Egypt?  We briefly review the cyclic nature of prophetic Scripture, especially Hosea's prophecy that quoted here and its applications...especially how it applies to US.  I pray it's a source of bless...

After a quick review, we consider the Wise Men's behavior when they found the Child Jesus, and the place of Mary in Scripture and our understanding.  We note their priorities.  Are they ours also?  Then we turn to the significance of their gifts.  What does it mean to be "holy"?  Will any of these gifts ever be given to Him again?  If so, which ones...and when?  As always, I hope it's a blessing,...

We continue Reflecting on the Wise Men.  The reason for their journey rebukes many modern church folks.  Why was "all Jerusalem troubled"?  We see examples of the differences between wisdom, knowledge, and shrewd ignorance.  This is God's Word; we can all profit from it (2 Tim. 3:16, as always).  I trust it's a blessing!

Here we return to Matthew's Gospel, picking it up in chapter 2.  Who were the "wise men"?  How accurate are our traditions about them?  Their possible connection with the prophet Daniel.  Finally, we comment on "Herod the Great", and how quickly we might stereotype others.  To listen, please click on this: www.reflections.libsyn.com .  Thanks for listening!  

We finish Reflecting on Psalm 7.  David deals with falsehood, among other things.  We touch on how we excuse our own viciousness, reasoning with the unreasonable, and conclude victoriously, like David did.  Also, is SINGING praises to God really Scriptural?  In the light of how many church people behave like audiences today, that seems very relevant.  And there's an end-note about how to learn abo...

David continues to denounce gossip and slander.  Why would David invite God's judgment?  Not only was David angry; God was too!  God's arrows pierce even His own people (ouch).  Finally: is there cleansing for those who gossip?

We begin Reflecting on Psalm 7, where David responds to getting verbally stabbed in the back.  What's God's attitude toward gossip?  In what sense is David a "type" or picture of Christ in this this Psalm?  As always, I hope it's a blessing!

We look at the seven "why"s of this chapter.  Is suicide ever the answer to our problems?  How a particular verse in this chapter has been abused to torment God's people, and how we might actually consider his "wishing for death" in a positive way.  I hope it's a blessing!

We return to the Book of Job and pick up at chapter 3.  Do we have a right to criticize Job?  What do his words here have in common with Psalm 88, or the words of Jeremiah?  We look at the references to "the shadow of death" in Scripture, and consider what "leviathan" might be.  Is the Bible unscientific?  I conclude with a word of personal testimony.  I hope it's a blessing!

This completes our Reflections on Psalm 6.

Starting off with God's Hymnbook, the Book of Psalms, and the first verse. 

Continuing Psalm 6.  I trust it's a blessing. 

We begin Reflecting on Psalm 6, the first "Penitential" Psalm.  Why did God include this in His Word?  The relation that SHOULD be in our hearts between sin and pain.  Are Christian believers better than David?  What's God's mercy really is.  When is it okay for our souls to be troubled?  And finally, the question "How long?"  I know this is out of step with a lot of popular preaching, so I guess...

We finish Reflecting on Genesis chapter 3.  We consider the "coats of skins" and what they mean for us today.  Also: Is God being sarcastic?  When should Christians be "driven"?  And when will we again have access to the Tree of Life?  As always, I hope it's a blessing!

We're still Reflecting on Genesis chapter 3.  This one is the longest part of God's judgment; not the serpent, or the woman, but on the man.  We clarify that it's NOT sinful to listen to our wives.  Then we briefly mention the four kinds of death in human experience.  Who has the right to say "It's not fair"?  And finally, the great redemptive significance of the "tunics of skin" God "made" for th...

Here God judges the woman.  We consider its implications for us today.  I know this isn't popular, but the Fall of Humanity never is.  However, we may find some surprises if we stick with what Scripture says instead of what tradition says it means.  I hope it's a blessing!