I love you, Lord, because you have heard my pleas for mercy, and listened to me. It seemed as if the ropes of death tightened around me, I was confronted with trouble and sorrow. Because of your reputation for integrity I prayed, “Please, rescue me!” You have been gracious, righteous and compassionate to me. You … Continue reading
For non-Israelites who love my name and want to serve me––all who genuinely observe the Sabbath as they uphold my covenant––I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them happy in their prayer to me. For my dwelling place will be known as a dwelling where all peoples may pray. Isaiah 56:6–7 Regardless … Continue reading
David sang, “I love you, O Yahweh, my strength, my craggy summit, my fortress, and my deliverer. You are my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the weapon that saves me. I call upon Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1–3 … Continue reading
Jesus said, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, is the one who loves me. And those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and manifest myself to them.” John 14:21 Genuine affections in our hearts come to perfection—to completion—as they move us to action. Genuine joy about … Continue reading
A lawyer tested Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus replied, “ How do you read the Law?” He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus responded, “You … Continue reading
Love is the affection of our hearts that arises as we view someone or something as valuable to us. Love is also the appropriate activity of our hands generated by the love in our hearts. God instructs us to love him because he is holy, that is because he has infinite, unexcelled, and irreplaceable worth. … Continue reading
The Eternal is near to all who call upon him sincerely. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him. He will certainly hear their cry and save them. The Eternal keeps all who love him; but all the wicked, he will destroy. Psalm 145:18–20 If we want to be kept by God, we … Continue reading
According to Romans 8:37 we are “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” While studying this passage with a class I taught, the question came up: How is it possible to be more than a conqueror? We understand what if means to win against an opponent, but how is it possible to do more … Continue reading