“O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple” (Psalm 48:9 NLT). Meditation in the Bible is not an emptying of the mind as the Eastern religions teach. Rather, it is a focusing of the mind on God and His Word. Here, the Psalmist focused the thoughts of his mind
“The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun are to camp toward the sunrise on the east side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners” (Numbers 2:3 NLT). Of the twelve tribes of Israel, Judah was given first position in the tribal encampment. They were to camp under their “family banners” emblazoned with a lion. This
‘Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.”‘ (Mark 11:22-23 NLT). On the
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” (Mark 10:51 NLT). A blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the Jericho road as he heard that Jesus and His disciples were passing by. He yelled for Jesus’ attention, calling Him by His
“I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15 NLT). People were bringing their children to Jesus to be blessed by Him. But the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus noticed, He became indignant and told them to let the little children come
“After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 43:5 NLT). David learned to address his own soul in his prayers to God. Knowing that he was feeling discouraged and sad, he encouraged himself in the
“You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s” (Mark 8:33 NLT). After Jesus described the suffering, death, and ultimate resurrection that He as the Messiah would soon endure, Peter began to reprimand Him for such talk. Jesus saw that Satan was influencing Peter to tempt Him, so He rebuked
“I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat” (Mark 8:2 NLT). Jesus felt compassion for the hungry people. He noticed their need and called the disciples to help. Apparently, the disciples felt no such compassion. They saw it as someone else’s
“He will lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. In this way, he will transfer the people’s sins to the head of the goat” (Leviticus 16:21 NLT). Two male goats were offered by the high priest as a