Morning Musings: John 14:26

Leave a comment

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Living the life of Christ day-in-and day-out is a tall order.  It’s a huge task.  If we let it, the thought that we are to live each day following after the pattern of Christ and doing what He said can be an overwhelming thought.  If we think about it in the wrong way, it can leave us wondering whether it’s really all worth it.  How are we supposed to do this on our own? Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: 2 Kings 6:17

Leave a comment

“Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’  So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

There are two ways to understand what’s going on here (assuming on the credibility of the text).  The first is that Elisha was delusional and somehow brought this poor servant into his delusions.  That would not only be a pretty disappointing interpretation, it doesn’t fit the context of the story itself or the broader context of Elisha’s life and ministry very well.  The second understanding is that every word here is true and happened just exactly like the text says. Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Joshua 3:8

Leave a comment

“And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

This has always struck me as one of the more remarkable stories in the Exodus narrative.  Here were Joshua and the people of Israel ready once again to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land.  The bounty of God’s provision and promise lay ahead of them.  The only thing that stands in their way is the Jordan River.  But, this should present no real trouble to them.  After all, God had already parted a whole sea for them.  What threat does a river pose? Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Romans 8:28

Leave a comment

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (NIV – Read the chapter)

This verse is one of the single biggest clichés in the Scriptures.  We hear it often as a way to justify practically anything.  If something bad happens, well, God will work it out for good.  If something good happens, see, Paul was right.  If something good doesn’t happen quickly after something bad, well, we must not love Him very well.  If tragedy strikes, God can still bring good out of this even though you can’t imagine what it could be.  Clichés! Read the rest…