But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’— Genesis 3:9 Into the Word The serpent’s offer was not crude. It was almost reasonable. “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4), he said, and in one sense he was right. Adam lived to be nine hundred and thirty (Genesis… Continue reading The Root We Cannot See
Category: Inspirational
Why Temptation Starts With a Question
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” — Genesis 3:1 Into the Word One command had been given in the garden. Eat freely from… Continue reading Why Temptation Starts With a Question
Dust That Breathes
Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. — Genesis 2:7 Into the Word Through the whole first chapter of Genesis, God speaks and creation answers. “Let the earth bring forth living creatures” (Genesis 1:24),… Continue reading Dust That Breathes
Everything Else Is the Strap
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. — Genesis 1:31 Into the Word Nothing names its own purpose. A cup never decided to hold water. Someone was thirsty, shaped clay around that thirst, and the purpose existed before the cup did. This is why the question of what… Continue reading Everything Else Is the Strap
Do You Love Me?
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”— John 21:17 Into the Word This happens after the resurrection. The disciples have gone back to Galilee, back to their boats and nets, as if trying to return to something familiar. Then Jesus appears on the shore. John… Continue reading Do You Love Me?
A Foolish Woman’s Act
Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. — Matthew 26:13 Into the Word Nard. Pure spikenard, imported from the Himalayan highlands of northern India, carried overland through trade routes that made it among the most expensive… Continue reading A Foolish Woman’s Act
The First One Looking
Romans 1, Part 3. On the God who was looking first. Start with Part 1: Before the Cure. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.— Romans 1:19 Into the Word The people of verse 18 are holding the truth down. Verse 19 explains why… Continue reading The First One Looking
Before the Cure
Romans 1, Part 1. On the anger of a Father who grieves. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. — Romans 1:18 Into the Word In the verses just before this one, Paul calls the gospel the power of… Continue reading Before the Cure
Everything Hangs on This
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. — Matthew 22:37–38 Into the Word It was the last week of Jesus’ life. He was teaching in the temple courts, and one group after another came… Continue reading Everything Hangs on This
Locked From the Inside
For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. — Isaiah 56:7 Read Part 1 here. The Ticket Booth Where the doors were open, there was usually a ticket booth. A church is supposed to be the one building in town anyone can walk into without paying. That is what made… Continue reading Locked From the Inside