GOOD, SIMPLE, STRONG WORDS THE SEED “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:8

                                                      GOD’S WAY, NOT OURS THE SEED “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” Isaiah 55:8

THE SEED“He instructs sinners in his ways.” Psalm 25:8 “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs _______ in his ways.” What might fill in the blank? “The righteous” would fill the blank nicely. The righteous are so teachable. They listen to the instructor and do as they are told. But the psalmist says,… Continue reading The Lord’s Classroom

THE SEED“You have come to God … to Jesus” Hebrews 12:23-24 As Moses approached the burning bush, God warned, “Do not come any closer.” God restrained Moses with good reason. God knew that an unholy man approaching him would face death. So his words that seem to reject are actually words of love, not unlike… Continue reading Come

THE SEED“I formed [my people] for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” Isaiah 43:21 “Why are we here?” The question is not limited to philosophers and theologians. And it’s not only “Why are we (humanity) here?” The question is more personal: “Why am I here?” Through Isaiah and Peter, God gives the same answer.… Continue reading Formed For Praise

THE SEED“You have set … our secret sins in the light of your presence.” Psalms 90:8 Hidden faults and secret sins are not an isolated theme in the Scriptures. The psalmist admits, “You have set … our secret sins in the light of your presence. ”The teacher concludes, “God will bring every deed into judgment,… Continue reading Hidden Faults, Secret Sins

THE SEED“Your Father, who is unseen … sees what is done in secret.” Matthew 6:6 Jesus instructs us not to make a spectacle of praying to our Father, “who is unseen.” And he adds, “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” We don’t see our Father, but our Father… Continue reading The Unseen Sees

THE SEED“The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” Mark 1:1 The first six words of Mark’s gospel prompt the question “How does the good news begin?” John the Baptist comes “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,” and many respond by “confessing their sins.” We… Continue reading How Does The Good News Begin?

THE SEED“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6 I read Paul’s words from Philippians 1. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. He was an unlikely eyewitness to the resurrection and one “abnormally born” into Christian service (1 Corinthians 15:8). His special calling might have… Continue reading Teamwork