God Looked On Him and Pardoned Me

2 Corinthians 5:21: God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Some years ago, following an extremely traumatic period in my life, I was struggling with God and what I believed. In fact at that time, I was angry with God. I could not accept what had happened and blamed God for my despair. I was studying the Bible intensely trying to find answers.

I awoke from a vivid dream in the middle of the night one night sweat

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Why Did Jesus Walk on Water?

I think we all remember the story of Jesus walking on water in Matthew chapter 14. He had just fed the 5000 and that took place on the east side of the Sea of Galilee, and verse 22 He tells his disciples to get in the boat and go on back to the other side. The scripture actually says: “Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.” So, he didn’t just ask them to get in the boat and go over to the oth

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How Old is Lent

Lent is often misunderstood as a later church invention, a season of imposed fasting or ritual discipline. But the rhythm it reflects is far older than the church itself. Long before Lent had a name, Scripture already knew its shape.

In the Bible, moments of redemption are rarely sudden. They are preceded by preparation. God does not rush transformation, but He prepares people for it, often by leading them away from noise, familiarity, and security.

The Hebrew Bible repeated

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God Told Moses No

48 On that same day the Lord told Moses, 49 “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. 50 There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. 51 This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kad

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Knocking 0n Heaven's Door

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Luke 11:9-10)

In this teaching on prayer, Jesus told His disciples to come to God with increasing intensity, moving from ask to seek to knock. Asking is good, but seeking is more active than asking. Seeking is good, but knocking is more intense than seeking. In this,

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Shema - what does it mean?

If you are like me when I hear the word shema I immediately think it refers to Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” That verse starts off in Hebrew: “Shema O Israel.”

The Hebrew word Shema literally means “to hear,” but in the Bible it carries a far deeper sense: to listen, to pay attention, and to obey. In Hebrew thought, true hearing is n

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Don't Loose Heart

Luke 18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

That men always ought to pray: Man is created with a spiritual instinct (Ecclesiastes 3:11), so prayer often comes naturally. Yet obstacles come in the way of effective and constant prayer,

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Remember

The Hebrew word “Zakar”

“I will zakar the deeds of the Lord.” The Hebrew word zakar is often translated "remember," that is, calling something to mind or not forgetting. Joseph has a dream about his brothers bowing down to him. And years later, when it actually happens, Joseph is said to “zakar his dream.” He is recalling something he'd forgotten. But zakar is often more than just remembering. Zakar is also focusing your attention on something in order to act. When God comm

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Who is Your Go'el?

The Hebrew word go’el, which means “redeemer,” or “kinsman redeemer.” In biblical contexts, it refers to a close relative who has the responsibility or right to act on behalf of a family member in need, such as redeeming property, avenging a wrong, or marrying a widow to preserve the family line appears in the Hebrew Bible over 100 times. We see it in Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah and of course in the Book of Ruth, which is by far the most familiar

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The New Covenant

Most of you know that I love finding connections between Old Testament and New Testament Scripture. Well, here’s one that I think will give you a much deeper meaning of the New Testament passage of Luke 22:20 when Jesus was instituting the Last Supper or Holy Communion.

20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 

 The final or fourth cup of the Passover meal – Jesus is saying represents my blood, t

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The Gospel in Genesis

Most Theologians will tell you the very first promise of God for a redeemer is found in Genesis 3:15, but I think there is a very strong parallel to the gospel of Christ found in Genesis Chapter 2.

When God created man, He formed him out of the dust of the ground, and breathed the breath of life into him. So, a little later in the chapter God decided to create a helper for Adam. Why didn’t He form woman out of the dust of the ground? God chose to put Adam into a deep sleep

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Words

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Matthew 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are li

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Hebrew Justice

“Mishpat” is the Hebrew word for justice, but it’s not just about laws or rules—it’s a deep, active pursuit of what is right. It’s about fairness, equity, and ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and respect. “Misphat” is actually restorative justice not retributive justice. A justice built in making people whole again. “Mishpat” shows up throughout the Bible, calling us to act justly, not only by enforcing rules but by seeking righteousness and restoring broken

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Hebrew Hope

Tikvah is the Hebrew word most often translated as hope, but it’s not just any hope—it’s a deep, enduring hope that anchors the soul and perseveres through trials. It’s a hope that looks forward with confidence, trusting in a future promise. It’s an expectant hope.

This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Scriptures, especially in the Psalms, where it signifies a hopeful expectation of God’s deliverance. We see it in Psalm 71:5 “For you, O Lord, are my hope (Tikvah), my t

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God's Compassion

The Hebrew word “Naham” is the word for comfort, but it carries with it a profound and restorative meaning. It’s more than just offering a kind word or a hug during times of sadness. It signifies a deep emotional and spiritual renewal—a healing that comes directly from God Himself. This type of comfort restores the soul and brings peace, even in the midst of pain. In the Bible, this word is often associated with God's compassion and His ability to soothe the brokenhearte

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