Monthly Archives: February 2020

The Names of God: El Shaddai

Our text today is not the first time YaHWeH came to Abram. Our God came to Abram while he was in Ur of the Chaldees. The name Abram means “exalted father”. When he was born his father Terah (whose name means “to breathe”) looked at Abram and had high hopes for him. He thought that Abram would – as mamma used to say – “do his family proud”, make a name for himself. He would have a large family, and he would be well honored as the father of a mighty clan. Continue reading

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Overcoming Darkness

In the Old Testament YaHWeH (the Great I AM) commanded His people be light and unity in the midst of a dark and lost world. Jesus preaches on the mountain He reminds His Church that we are to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Light cannot be darkness. Jesus said: Continue reading

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Sin Is No Joke

In America we laugh at sin on sitcoms. Comedians on television make light of what God says is dark. We often hear people on television saying things like,

“If no one gets hurt, and you’re both adults, what’s the harm?”

Yet God says that there is a harm in sin. He tells us:

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
Death passed upon all because of sin (Romans 5:12)
When you sin, you shall surely die (Genesis 2:17)
The soul that sins, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:4)
Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death (James 1:15)
Sin reigns unto death (Romans 5:17, 21)

Sin is not a laugh track on television…. Continue reading

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Names of God Series #2: El Elyon, the Most High God

In the Old Testament El Elyon occurs 28 times – 19 times in Psalms. Elyon (Biblical Hebrew עליון) means “The Supreme, the Highest”. There is nothing greater than our God. Continue reading

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New Or Old Creatures?

You were saved by faith in Christ to live in God’s Kingdom, both NOW and into ETERNITY. Live as if you are His. Put away the old darkness that you used to live in, and live as light in the power of God. Continue reading

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Murder And The Heart: Red Letters Series #7

Murder starts in the heart. Anger without a cause – a God sanctioned cause – leads to murder. It starts in the heart. Then it comes from the mouth. “Raca” is original to the Greek text, but it is not a Greek word. Many suppose it comes from the Aramaic Reka, which means “empty headed” or “foolish”. To call someone Reka is to make that person less than God made them. To call someone “thou fool” (moronos) is the same as saying “you are damned” or “you are going to hell” (see Psalm 14:1; Luke 12:20).

Every life has value. God made you in His image to walk with Him. Every person, whether in the womb, on their feet, or in the long term care facilities – every person is valuable. God made you for Himself. God gave you life to live with and for Him. Continue reading

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YAHWEH and ELOHIYM: Examining The Names Of God (1)

YAHWEH is the God we praise, the God of the scripture. Though this name of God is sometimes translated JEHOVAH, the consensus among Biblical scholars is that the first translation of the Hebrew יְהֹוָה YHWH was, in the

6th century BC, most likely YAHWEH. So I use YAHWEH instead of JEHOVAH. Either way you pronounce YHWH this is the most holy name of God in Scripture. YAHWEH reveals certain things about our God. Continue reading

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Lex Talionis

God will avenge His people. We are not to do so. Beloved, every life has value. Every life is precious. Even that tiny baby yet residing in its mother’s womb. We who belong to Christ have been given life so that we can speak life and love. We are not given life so that we can kill. Let us love. Let us reach out and do as Christ would have us do. Let us be the Light that Christ wants us to be. Continue reading

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Jesus, The Fulfiller Of The Law

The Law was given to an Israel who had hardened their hearts to the leading of God. The Law was given as a mirror to show us that we are sinners. The Law was given to convict us that we needed a Savior. Now the Savior has come. The Savior is speaking from the mountain. He is not erasing the Law, but He is fulfilling it…. Continue reading

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Being Salt And Light (Red Letters Series #5)

As God the Son sits on the mountain, His disciples sit at His feet. Jesus tells those who follow Him that they must be salt and light to this present world. As Jesus says this, He establishes Himself both as Lord and God over His people. Salt and light have one thing in common: Continue reading

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