Friday, December 25, 2020

JEWELS From The GOSPEL Of JOHN: The LORD of the STORM JOHN 6:18-20

The following is a series of short exhortations, brief commentary and writings to convey thoughtful meditation on God's Word.

I have chosen the Gospel of John as the subject. I pray that these will be a blessing and an edification for the saints.

JOHN 6:18-20
18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. 19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. 20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

For a more thorough treatment of this subject, check out the FMF article A DIFFERENT SERMON On ANOTHER MOUNT.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

RESILIENT ROOT of the RIGHTEOUS

Olive Trees are truly remarkable in their resilience; living hundreds if not thousands of years, producing nutritional fruit, healthful oils and medicinal leaves well into their maturity, even to the end of their days.
Olive trees can be decimated in branches and trunk, leaving barely nothing to the eye, but as long as the root is left undamaged, its resolved nature to begin growing again perseveres! 

I read PSALM 52 today, and it mentions olive trees in the context of the one who is under the care, supervision and protection of the LORD. Let's check this out:

PSALM 52:1-4
International Standard Version (I usually quote from the ol' KJV, but I really like how this version interprets certain words)
1 Why do you make evil
    the foundation of your boasting, mighty one?
        God’s gracious love never ceases. 
2 Your tongue, like a sharp razor, devises wicked things
    and crafts treachery.
3 You love evil rather than good,
    falsehood rather than speaking uprightly.
4 You love all words that destroy, you deceitful tongue!.