1 Kings 13:21 “‘You have disobeyed the command of the Lord, and have not observed the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you.’” Observation: The prophet from Judah had spoken the word of the Lord to King Jeroboam concerning the king’s sinful behavior. The...

Philemon 14, 18 “But without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion, but of your own free will … But if Onesimus has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account.” Observation:...

Song of Solomon 1:4, 15; 4:7, 9 “Draw me after You and let us run together! The King has brought me into His chambers.” … “We will extol Your love better than wine.” “How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves.” “You are...

Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Observation: In this simple phrase we discover again Scripture’s commitment to utter honesty. As severe as a “fool’s judgment” must surely be, the passage goes on to declare the universality of fools:...

Ecclesiastes 7:1–4 “The day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter. … The...

Ephesians 3:14–15 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Observation: Paul had been expanding the concept of the body of Christ, enlarging it to include not only Jews who believe, but...

Proverbs 22:2 “The rich and the poor have a common bond, the Lord is the maker of them all.” Observation: This verse is the great leveler of Scripture. The Lord is indeed the maker of all, and because of that we do indeed have a common bond. Between rich and poor He...

Proverbs 7:1–5 “My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call...

1 Kings 10:6–7 “ ‘It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. Nevertheless I did not believe the reports, until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report...

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Observation: Jesus then goes on to offer this contrast: “Everyone who come to me and hears my words and acts upon them…is like a person who builds a house on firm ground...” And then: “…. but...