their god is their belly Philippians 3:19 ESV What does Paul mean by belly here? The stomach or appetite, as some translations read, represents our instinctual and base-level desires, our hungers, cravings, and lusts. For the ancients, the belly was the most animalistic part of all humans, and we tend to agree with them, even …
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https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wFauW5r9jlr0pNWp868Z6?si=Gt2tArHNT7K0-0CPcqFfSw Although this is the second question, it is perhaps the most important question that we could ever seek to answer. The reasons are many, but perhaps the most important is given to us by Jesus whenever He was praying to the Father in John 17:3, which says: "And this is eternal life, that they …
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Genesis 15:1 ESV This is an interesting follow up to Abram’s militant exploits of the previous chapter. After coming into a decisive and miraculous victory from the hand …
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I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psalm 119:75 ESV The psalmist is speaking with a Job-like spirit in this verse. Of course, the premise of the book of Job is set up in the first two chapters. Satan appears with all the heavenly hosts before …
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Out of the mouth of babies and infants,you have established strengthbecause of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2 ESV This verse has been in my mind lately for two reasons. First, Psalm 8 has been much in my thoughts since the author of Hebrews cites verses 4-6 of that psalm …
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Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,because I have hoped in your word. Psalm 119:74 ESV I recently wrote a reflection on the first question of the New City Catechism, which asks, “What is our only hope in life and death?” The answer is a thoroughly biblical statement: “That we are not our …
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https://youtu.be/nW3QJu5YkJM This first question is clearly inspired by the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism, which reads: Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who, with …
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Your hands have made and fashioned me;give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Psalm 119:73 ESV This week my daughter took for her class presentation a neckless that I brought back for her from doing some mission work in Mexico, and she explained to her classmates the great difficulty in making by hand …
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The law of your mouth is better to methan thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:72 ESV The psalmist has already expressed a variation of this idea in verse 14, saying, "In the way of your testimonies I delight, as much as in all riches." He will also return to this theme in verse …
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It is good for me that I was afflicted,that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71 ESV The psalmist here draws together and makes explicit what the first four verses of this stanza implied. Recall that he began by rejoicing that the LORD has dealt well with him in accordance with His Word. He then …
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B. C. Newton 