All Scripture citations are taken from New Living Translation, Second Edition (http://www.newlivingtranslation.com/).
- Leviticus 15
This chapter is about ordinances on bodily discharges.
- [The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,] this is how you will guard the people of Israel from ceremonial uncleanness. Otherwise, they would die, for their impurity would defile my Tabernacle that stands among them. (v. 31)
- The reason why these rituals for purification, sacrifice and offerings is mentioned here in this verse. God's literal presence is visible and can be felt by the Israelites as He manifests in the tabernacle. That is why everything must be pure and holy in God's presence, or these will be an insult to God's glorious holiness.
- The reason why these rituals for purification, sacrifice and offerings is mentioned here in this verse. God's literal presence is visible and can be felt by the Israelites as He manifests in the tabernacle. That is why everything must be pure and holy in God's presence, or these will be an insult to God's glorious holiness.
- [The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,] this is how you will guard the people of Israel from ceremonial uncleanness. Otherwise, they would die, for their impurity would defile my Tabernacle that stands among them. (v. 31)
- Leviticus 16
Taken back from where it left off, Aaron has been given instructions on how to atone himself for the sins made by his sons Nadab and Abihu. Also here, the day for atonement is mentioned and must be observed as a holiday for these Israelites.
- Psalms 58
- Then at last everyone will say, "There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth." (v.11)
- Then at last everyone will say, "There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth." (v.11)
- Proverbs 8
Wisdom calls for attention and everybody must listen to what she says.
- Listen as Wisdom call out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud… (vv. 1-2)
- God's wisdom can be found in every accessible area, like an intersection, an elevated place, and at the gates, so that nothing can be said that the wisdom of God didn't reach anywhere. Everything is accessible to God, so nothing is excused by not hearing Him.
- God's wisdom can be found in every accessible area, like an intersection, an elevated place, and at the gates, so that nothing can be said that the wisdom of God didn't reach anywhere. Everything is accessible to God, so nothing is excused by not hearing Him.
- All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. (vv. 13-14)
- What are those that belong to God's wisdom, and what are those that are His? Common sense, success, insight and strength! If we love God, these are our rights to claim! Of course, we have to acknowledge that these are provided by Him by His will. We have to thank Him when we have these, knowing that we will use these for His purposes and His glory alone.
- What are those that belong to God's wisdom, and what are those that are His? Common sense, success, insight and strength! If we love God, these are our rights to claim! Of course, we have to acknowledge that these are provided by Him by His will. We have to thank Him when we have these, knowing that we will use these for His purposes and His glory alone.
- Listen as Wisdom call out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud… (vv. 1-2)
- Luke 1
From NLT's introductory to the Gospel according to Luke: "Like an investigative journalist compiling a story from several informants, Luke composed his Gospel from the accounts of several eyewitnesses of Jesus' life. Luke, a Gentile physician who travelled extensively with the apostle Paul, wrote his Gospel for a man named Theophilus (1:3), most likely another Gentile believer. After consulting several eyewitnesses and accounts of Jesus' life, Luke wrote this fresh account of His life and ministry. Since both Luke and Theophilus were Gentiles, it is not surprising that this Gospel has a very universal flavour to its stories and teachings of Jesus."
- Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. (vv. 1-2)
- We have here four gospels and the accounts of the apostles reporting these events. Luke is telling us about these reports circulating in the Galilean region. Employing textual criticism with the books of the Bible, this introduction of Luke serves as a prelude to the incredible harmony between the Gospels written by different authors inspired by the Holy Spirit.
- We have here four gospels and the accounts of the apostles reporting these events. Luke is telling us about these reports circulating in the Galilean region. Employing textual criticism with the books of the Bible, this introduction of Luke serves as a prelude to the incredible harmony between the Gospels written by different authors inspired by the Holy Spirit.
- Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I have also decided to write a careful account for you, most honourable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught. (vv. 3-4)
- The intention of Luke to make his own investigation about these matters is for Theophilus to be certain of what he believed in. Luke is implying here that these verified accounts are shown so that what they believed in is true and had happened, and that their faith in Him is not in vain. The readers of this Gospel are shown that belief in Christ is logical and valid. Archaeology has later verified the people and places mentioned in this Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.
- The intention of Luke to make his own investigation about these matters is for Theophilus to be certain of what he believed in. Luke is implying here that these verified accounts are shown so that what they believed in is true and had happened, and that their faith in Him is not in vain. The readers of this Gospel are shown that belief in Christ is logical and valid. Archaeology has later verified the people and places mentioned in this Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.
- While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar… But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John… He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly." (vv. 11, 13, 17)
- The birth of the one who will prepare the coming of Him who comes. Ancient prophets have foretold of the coming of the Messiah, and one of those prophecies is the coming of the one who will prepare the Way.
- The birth of the one who will prepare the coming of Him who comes. Ancient prophets have foretold of the coming of the Messiah, and one of those prophecies is the coming of the one who will prepare the Way.
- Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn't believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time." (vv. 19-20)
- As a punishment for his unbelief, Zechariah was struck dumb. However, there is also a reason for him being struck mute. The angel Gabriel has told him his son will be named John. The angel is putting up a wager that this will happen, and he has to create a mute priest to prove his point.
- As a punishment for his unbelief, Zechariah was struck dumb. However, there is also a reason for him being struck mute. The angel Gabriel has told him his son will be named John. The angel is putting up a wager that this will happen, and he has to create a mute priest to prove his point.
- When it was time for Elizabeth's baby to be born, she gave birth to a son… They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, "No! His name is John!"… He [Zechariah] motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone's surprise he wrote, "His name is John." Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God…Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, "What will the child turn out to be?" For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. (vv. 57, 59b, 60, 63, 64, 66)
- This is the moment the angel Gabriel mentioned the name of the child will be. One must observe that Elizabeth has no prior coaching what the name will be. She had come to this name because of the Holy Spirit guiding her. When the name has been confirmed, Zechariah's impairment was lifted. "What will the child turn out to be?" That is a very good question.
- This is the moment the angel Gabriel mentioned the name of the child will be. One must observe that Elizabeth has no prior coaching what the name will be. She had come to this name because of the Holy Spirit guiding her. When the name has been confirmed, Zechariah's impairment was lifted. "What will the child turn out to be?" That is a very good question.
- [Elizabeth exclaimed to Mary,] "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." Mary responded, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed." (vv. 45-48)
- Mary's song of praise partly shown here literally means that generations will call her blessed, period. After much contemplation about this, the thought of praising her loomed over on the corners of my thoughts. She was blessed indeed and frankly I have agreed to that after much contemplation. But I don't praise her, for doing that I would violate the first and greatest commandment of loving God alone with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Calling her blessed for all generations does not mean that we should eternally praise her. That also does not mean that we have to share our adorations to God with her. Our knees should be meant for God alone, and no one else including Mary. Unfortunately, many people adore her along with God, some even adored her only not minding about God. I am not praising Mary, Jesus' earthly mother, but she sure was blessed for God choose her. As well as Moses and Isaiah were also blessed, for God used the former to deliver the Ten Commandments and instituted the religious rituals observed by the Jews, while the latter as a prophet being shown the revelations of Him Who is to come. If I will have to praise Mary, I will have to adore Moses, Isaiah, Esther, Elijah, Paul, Peter, and other great people of God. Can you think about that compared to what the greatest command of God is, and contemplate how would these thoughts be made compatible? I could not.
- Mary's song of praise partly shown here literally means that generations will call her blessed, period. After much contemplation about this, the thought of praising her loomed over on the corners of my thoughts. She was blessed indeed and frankly I have agreed to that after much contemplation. But I don't praise her, for doing that I would violate the first and greatest commandment of loving God alone with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Calling her blessed for all generations does not mean that we should eternally praise her. That also does not mean that we have to share our adorations to God with her. Our knees should be meant for God alone, and no one else including Mary. Unfortunately, many people adore her along with God, some even adored her only not minding about God. I am not praising Mary, Jesus' earthly mother, but she sure was blessed for God choose her. As well as Moses and Isaiah were also blessed, for God used the former to deliver the Ten Commandments and instituted the religious rituals observed by the Jews, while the latter as a prophet being shown the revelations of Him Who is to come. If I will have to praise Mary, I will have to adore Moses, Isaiah, Esther, Elijah, Paul, Peter, and other great people of God. Can you think about that compared to what the greatest command of God is, and contemplate how would these thoughts be made compatible? I could not.
- Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. (vv. 1-2)
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