Core of the Bible

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of holiness, and how our commitment to God, first and foremost, needs to be absolute. But this relational commitment needs also to be reflected within our spousal relationships; the two types of relationships are equivocated in the Bible. Looking first at our spousal relationships,  Yeshua stated it this way: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You sha...

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of vigilance, and how we need to be highly aware of our audience when we are attempting to share the good news of the Kingdom of God. Yeshua stated it this way: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6 In essence, what he is sa...

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of integrity, and how people of integrity understand and avoid the dangers and deception of hypocrisy. Yeshua stated it this way: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?...

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of the Kingdom of God, and how the individuals making up this ever-expanding kingdom have hearts of humility and are filled with wisdom. Yeshua stated it this way: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:3 A paraphrase to expand on the meaning of this passage conveys that to have an empty spirit, ready to recei...

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” -Matthew 5:13 Yeshua choosing the metaphor of salt was enlightening on many levels. Just like Lot's wife and Abimelech overthrowing the city of Shechem, if the believers would retain their saltiness, it wou...

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5:21-22 Believers should not call someone a fool or an...

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of trust, and how our attitudes and actions demonstrate whether our trust is in earthly things or in heavenly things. Yeshua stated it this way: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, an...

Moreover when you fast, do not be as the hypocrites, of a sad appearance; for they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face, that you do not appear unto men to fast, but unto your Father which is in secret: and your Father, who sees in secret, shall reward you openly. Ma...

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of Vigilance, specifically persistence in prayer according to the will of God. Yeshua stated it this way: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 In his saying here is an aspect of co...

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” - Matthew 5:6 Food is a compelling motivator for those who have none. It's that motivating factor that Yeshua seizes upon to drive home the urgency with which he encourages his listeners to seek righteousness. They should hunger and thirst for it. Timestamps of the main themes of today's lesson: 03:14 The mor...

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of the Kingdom, and how the instructions about how to live in God's kingdom, or God's torah, is eternal. Yeshua stated it this way: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law...

But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4 While the main context of Yeshua's comment is in deriding acts of hypocrisy, within this pronouncement is a nugget of wisdom as it comes to helping others in need. While he denounces the...

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of forgiveness, some practical ways to demonstrate forgiveness, and the humility and kindness required when we concede to overlook the faults and aggression of others. Yeshua stated it this way: Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive people, neither will your Fath...

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of trust in God, and how God's provision is promised within the activities of the kingdom. Yeshua stated it this way: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25 Having our perspe...

Prayer is a primary method of God setting us apart, making us holy. Yeshua taught us the three "R's" of  prayer: Recognition, Repentance, and Request. These three concepts can simplify our convoluted and sometimes misguided ideas about prayer. In this episode, we identify these principles and how we should be applying them. Recognition: we need to recognize God for all he is, for all he has done,...

I believe that the core of the Bible consists of seven main principles of conduct surrounding the topics of Kingdom, Integrity, Vigilance, Holiness, Trust, Forgiveness, and Compassion. In this episode we will be exploring the topic of vigilance necessary in a believer's life to follow the narrow path that leads to a small entranceway of life. Yeshua stated it this way: “Enter through the narrow ga...

In this episode we will be exploring the deep desire for integrity that is a hallmark of believers. This desire wells up from the deepest recesses of our spiritual being, driving us to be conformed to the life of Messiah, a life of truth and righteousness. Yeshua stated it this way: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 Visit the Core...

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Entering into the kingdom of heaven is possible only by consistently doing the will of the Father in heaven, not by merely claiming to be a disciple. This is how we demonstrate what we believe. The Kingdom of God is the overarching concept t...

In this episode we will be exploring the topic of compassion, as Yeshua mentions this quality in our highlighted verse this week: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7 I have paraphrased this as "Extend mercy and compassion to others and you will be blessed, receiving mercy in return." There are two aspects to this verse that I would like to explore with you today....

I have paraphrased this verse as "Make peace; do peace, and you will be blessed, being recognized as a child of God." It is our obligation as believers to be the vanguard of peace among the lives of those around us.  What's interesting in this verse is the active nature of what is being expressed. Yeshua appears to be emphasizing the doing or the making of peace. By this reckoning, peace is not so...

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 We all understand that we carry way more anxiety than we should be, and to live simply trusting in the provision of God is certainly a welcome thought in our current day and age of information and emotional overload. ----- If you enjoyed this weeks podcast, be sure to visit cor...

Holiness, in its essence, is "apartness" or "separateness." Purity of heart is definitely something that is different than the rest of the world, and is a primary aspect of this state of being set apart. When we are kept from disobedience, or sin, then we are in a state of apartness or being separate. Purity of heart then is a root, a foundation, of  holiness. In the sense being discussed here, th...

Today we’re going to be looking at the topic of vigilance and focusing on a key passage in Matthew 5:29-30. “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to los...

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses [that] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:20 This principle is summed up by its paraphrase: “Demonstrate virtue and purity that exceeds those who are merely following external commands.” A life of integrity is one that is not driven solely by a list of do’s and don’ts. Right actions should...

From the beginning of all things, God designed mankind in his own image for the purpose of providing representative rulership for him on the earth. According to Yeshua, this was so that God’s will would be accomplished within his physical Creation, to mirror what is always accomplished in the ideal of God’s reign in his spiritual realm. Matthew 6:9-10 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is i...