Jacob (Father of the 12 tribes) was created, but Israel was formed (transformed). Our patriarch, Jacob, wrestled with God by the brook called Jabbok. There God changed his name to Israel. You can review the story in Genesis 32.

I see in this a picture of our regeneration in Jesus Christ. It foreshadows the “born again” experience. Jacob was created, as we all are, . . .

God called me to start this blog to share the “nuggets” that He gives me from His Word. Still, I must confess, that I sometimes listen to the negative voices in my head. The voices that say, “Why do you waste so much time on that blog? No one cares about your ‘nuggets.’ You have nothing to offer. Etc.”

When I succumb to those negative voices . . .

Ever since I first wrote the devotion entitled “Mercy for the Mean,” the Lord has been nudging me to rewrite it. And I can see why. The original version (I will leave it up for comparison) has no mention of God’s supernatural enabling to forgive in the face of true evil. So here is my second attempt. Please send me an email with your comments.

Previously, I had viewed this scripture in the restrictive sense. In other words, God was limiting His grace and compassion by saying this. As if God is saying, only a few people are afforded His grace, but not all.

Actually, the intent of the verse is exactly opposite. God is explaining to Moses about His goodness and . . .

Moses was pleading with God in Exodus 33 not to destroy the nation of Israel. The people of Israel had sinned a great sin by breaking their covenant with God and worshiping a calf of gold. This sin was so great that Moses was not sure that the Lord would forgive them. So Moses offered . . .

My favorite Bible is a red-letter edition. That means that the words Jesus actually spoke are in red color. The color reminds me that those particular words carry more weight. Of course, all Scripture is God-breathed and useful. Still I want to pay closer attention to those red letters because . . .

“Wisdom” is personified as a woman in the book of Proverbs. Ladies, before you get too excited, “Wisdom” is contrasted with “Foolish” who is also personified as a woman. Both are inviting the naïve to come . . .

Brain research has confirmed what the Bible has taught all along. They have mapped the brain activity and discovered that talking about your anger, hurts, betrayals, etc. only inflames them.

We have phrases in our language that point to a common believe that if you “let off steam” or “vent” about something that you can “let it go” easier. The research shows that the opposite is true. . . .

The more I think about this “lost” parable labeled “The Prodigal Son,” the more disturbed I get. The prodigal is already a son. This is not some lost little lamb who knows nothing about The Father. This prodigal is already in close, intimate relationship with The Father. Christian, that is you and me! We are already . . .

In the 2nd parable, the woman had “10 valuable silver coins.” There is considerable discussion in the commentaries about the value of these coins in current monetary terms. But I believe that misses the point. Silver is the symbol of redemption . . . .

Today I am considering the three parables of Jesus from Luke 15. Jesus tells these parables after the religious leaders are indignant and complaining about Him associating with “notorious sinners.”

I was originally captured by how each of the parables represents a different person of the Triune God. . . .

The story of King David’s loving kindness to Mephibosheth ends with him still being lame in both his feet. Again, being lame in his feet talks about his walk with the Lord. Even after all of King David’s kindness, Mephibosheth is still not walking straight with the Lord. Yet, he was continually eating at the king’s table. . . .