Quick Devotional from Matthew 5:8 (Observation from the Greek)

This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading some time ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.

Our text is from the Greek translation of Matthew 5:8.  Here is my translation:

“μακάριοι οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ
Blessed are the pure in heart

ὅτι αὐτοὶ τὸν θεὸν ὄψονται ”
Because they will see God

Here are some observations:

Advertisements

Read Full Post »

The 5 S of Reasons to Love God: Psalm 18 Part 1

Five S of why to Love God: Psalm 18 Part 1

Psalm 18:1-3

 

Passage: “For the choir director. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said, “I love You, O Lord, my strength.” 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.” (v. 1-3)

 

Establish the Need: Do you love God?

 

Purpose: You need to see five motivation David had to love God so that we too would be motivated to love God.

1. Reason 1: God is sovereign in history (subscript)
2. Reason 2: God is David’s strength: “O Lord, my strength.” (v.1b)
3. Reason 3: God is David’s stability: “The Lord is my rock” (v.2a) and “My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge” (v.2b)
4. Reason 4: God is David’s security (v.2)
5. Reason 5: God is David’s salvation (v.2-3)

 

Introductory matters

• This is a long Psalm (50 verses!) and we won’t be able to look at every detail of the Psalm.
• It is a praise for God’s deliverance from the David’s enemies.[1]
• This Psalm also appear in 2 Samuel 22.
• The Psalm’s double appearance shows it is important for God’s people.[2]
• David may have edited Psalm 18 himself so it can be sung in Temple worship.[3]

Read Full Post »

Bible Contradiction? To whom did Jesus make his first post-resurrection appearance?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: To whom did Jesus make his first post-resurrection appearance?

Here are the four answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

The two Marys

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.” (Matthew 28:1)

“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9)

Mary Magdalene

“Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.” (Mark 16:9)

“But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; 12 and she *saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they *said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She *said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and *saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.” (John 20:11-14)

Cleopas and another

“And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was [a]about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You [b]the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” 19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” 25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the [c]Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 Then beginning [d]with Moses and [e]with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day [f]is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from [g]their sight.” (Luke 24:13-31)

Cephas

“and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. (1 Corinthians 15:4-5)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

Read Full Post »

Quick Devotional from Matthew 5:7 (Observation from the Greek)

This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading a few weeks ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.

Our text is from the Greek translation of Matthew 5:7  Here is my translation:

“μακάριοι οἱ ἐλεήμονες,
Blessed are the merciful

ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐλεηθήσονται. ”
because they will receive mercy

Here are some observations:

Read Full Post »

The 3 Cs of Walking with God: Psalm 16

The 3 Cs of Walking with God

Psalm 16

 

Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. 2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.” 3 As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips. 5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. 7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. 11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

 

Purpose: In this Psalm we shall see the three C’s of our relationship to God so that we walk with God today.

• We need to have COMMITMENT to God (v.1-4)
• We need to find CONTENTMENT in God (v.5-7)
• We need to have CONFIDENCE in God (v.8-11)

 

 

Introductory matters

• Hebrew verse 1 of Psalm 16 indicates that this is written by David: “A Mikhtam of David.”
• The author is clearly identified: “of David”
• What is a “Mikhtam?”
  • According to William Barrick: “One of the more likely explanations was found in the old Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) 250 years before Christ: “inscription.”[1]
  • Jeremiah 2:22 uses a related word (nikhtam) is translated “stain” to express that something is indelible.  Thus this is writing that is meant to be preserved.[2]
• Psalm 15 sets up God’s holy requirement to worship in God’s presence and Psalm 16 now shows us we need to trust in God and what trusting in God looks like.

 

Read Full Post »

Bible Contradiction? How many women came to the sepulchre?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How many women came to the sepulchre?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

One

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene *came early to the tomb, while it *was still dark, and *saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.” ( John 20:1)

Two

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.”” (Matthew 28:1)

Three

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.” (Mark 16:1)

Five and more

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.” (Luke 24:1)

“Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.” (Luke 24:10)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

Read Full Post »

Quick Devotional from Matthew 5:6 (Observation from the Greek)

This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading a few weeks ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.

Our text is from the Greek translation of Matthew 5:6  Here is my translation:

“μακάριοι οἱ πεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην
Blessed are those who are hungry and those who are thirsty for righteousness

ὅτι αὐτοὶ χορτασθήσονται ”
Because they shall be satisfied

Here are some observations:

Read Full Post »