Proverbs 30:33 (NIV) For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife. We will not secure peace in our time or bring about a better tomorrow by stirring up human anger. We will only bring about strife and suffering as people are pushed over the …
Enter: Psalm 100
Psalm 100 (CSB) — 1 Let the whole earth shout triumphantly to the LORD! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we are his — his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and …
We Do Not Perish: Lamentations 3:22-27
Lamentations 3:22–27 (CSB) — 22 Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! 24 I say, “The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” 25 The LORD is good to those who wait …
Human Anger: James 1:20
James 1:20 (GNT) Human anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose.Hebrews 10:30–31 (CSB) — 30 For we know the one who has said, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people. 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. There isn't …
The LORD Sustains me: Psalm 3:5-8
Psalm 3:5–8 (CSB) — 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side. 7 Rise up, LORD! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; you …
Speak Up: Proverbs 31:8
Proverbs 31:8 (CSB) — Speak up for those who have no voice... I ask for your patience as you hear me out on something that's weighing heavily on my heart, which I post in reluctance because I do not want to lay a stumbling block before anyone. But I feel compelled to share because I …
The Inescapable Truth About Hate: Matthew 5:21-26
Matthew 5:21–22 (CSB) — 21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to …
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The Problem of Pleasure
Ecclesiastes 2:1 (CSB) — I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. Solomon omits any mention of immorality here, as he does elsewhere (Ecc. 7:26) and concerns himself specifically with what may broadly be considered the legitimate joys of pleasure …
Blessed Poverty: Matthew 5:3
Matthew 5:3 (CSB) — Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Brokenness is so beautiful to Jesus that he blesses it first and foremost among all spiritual conditions. RICH IN SPIRIT People who are "rich in spirit" are those who we look at and say, "now there's a leader!" …
Who is Yahweh that I should obey him?
Exodus 5:2 (CSB) — 2 But Pharaoh responded, “Who is the LORD that I should obey him by letting Israel go? I don’t know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.” Pharaoh asks the question that is at the heart of all idolatry: "who is the LORD that I should obey him?" …
