Here I Stand

May 1, 2013

2 Corinthians 12:7(b)-9 You Might Not Get What You Want (But It May Be What You Need)

“Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for…
April 26, 2013

Hebrews 7:25 Jesus Christ of All Dominion

“Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (NRSV) Currently I’m working on a further foray into Molinism and the Lutheran Confessions. The Molinist approach to soteriology addresses the subjects of God’s sovereignty, omnipresence and omnipotence in a bit more…
April 22, 2013

Deuteronomy 32:35 The Lord Will Repay

I was never much of a gamer, but Doom (the video game) is sort of cool- in an apocalyptic way. “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; because the day of their calamity is at hand, their doom comes swiftly.”- Deuteronomy 32:35 (NRSV) There is a saying, “Revenge…
April 17, 2013

Romans 15:13 Abound in Hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NRSV) Hope is a word that has been bandied about far too often by the purveyors of false hope. The confusion of real hope with false hope has…
April 16, 2013

Matthew 9:9-13 Mercy, Not Sacrifice (or False Doctrine)

“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.When the…
April 15, 2013

Matthew 22:17-22 Obey God, but Give Caesar His Due

(DISCLAIMER: Contains some political/social perspective that may be controversial to some) “(The Pharisees asked:) Tell us then what You think about this: Is it lawful to pay tribute [levied on individuals and to be paid yearly] to Caesar or not? But Jesus, aware of their malicious plot, asked, Why do you put Me to the test…
April 11, 2013

Psalm 30:1-5 The Author of Healing

“I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.…
April 10, 2013

Luke 12:4-7 The Sovereignty of God, and Hearing the Master’s Voice

(Jesus said:) “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?…
April 9, 2013

Playing Hooky – Isaiah 53:5

I was never much for rocking the boat when I was in high school. By the time I’d survived long enough to get to my sophomore year (1983-4) all I wanted to do was to stave off boredom while still keeping up my GPA. Keeping up my GPA wasn’t much of a challenge, but…
April 8, 2013

Proverbs 28:14 The (Reverent) Fear of God, and a Heart of Flesh

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Proverbs 28:14 (AMP) Fear is generally a negative concept for me, so as I was drawn to the second part of this…