Over in the corner, the tax collector begins to pray, but he won’t even lift his eyes to heaven. He pounds on his chest in sorrow and says, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Luke 18:13 The Voice Kyrie eleison (KI-ree-ay ay-LAY-ee-zonn) or “Lord, have mercy” is an important prayer in Christian worship, a prayer from the…
Category: Open My Eyes
Insights in Scripture
In Need of Grace
I am rereading the books of a celebrated author. His words always speak to me. When I googled him, though, I discovered he’s been going through an ugly, career-ending time, the target of outraged online criticism. Anyone whose life is public finds that their mistakes and sins are public as well. But sin is everyone’s…
Grace, Please
Grace: the free and unmerited favor of God, manifested in salvation and blessings. Through this man we all receive gifts of grace beyond our imagination. You see, Moses gave us rules to live by, but Jesus the Anointed offered us gifts of grace and truth. John 1:16-17 The Voice “In the New Testament, grace means God’s love in action toward people who…
Sinning
As she took a sip of her appletini, my friend, a committed Christian, said, “I’m sinning.” I looked at her in surprise. She nodded, took another sip and repeated it. “I’m sinning.” No self-justification, no excuses. Just bald fact. My first thought was, What sin? Alcohol? Not everyone considers alcohol a sin, but if she…
Peace
[Jesus said,]“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” John 14:27 The Passion Translation And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me…
Jesus Messiah
by Christ Tomlin Jesus Messiah Chris Tomlin He became sinWho knew no sinThat we might become His RighteousnessHe humbled himself and carried the crossLove so amazingLove so amazing Jesus MessiahName above all namesBlessed RedeemerEmmanuelThe rescue for sinnersThe ransom from HeavenJesus MessiahLord of all His body the breadHis blood the wineBroken and poured out all for…
Right-ness
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14 NIV Nothing that man ever invents will absolve him from the universal necessity of being good as God is good, righteous as God is righteous, and holy as God is holy. Charles Kingsley Here’s what Scripture says: No one…
Ask, Seek, Knock
So it is with your prayers. Ask and you’ll receive. Seek and you’ll discover. Knock on heaven’s door, and it will one day open for you. Every persistent person will receive what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he needs. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door….
Encouragement
Encouragment: NOUN the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. **********
Encourage
Encourage: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to fill with courage or strength of purpose ********** You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. Psalm 10:17 New International Version May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal…