Fabulous Stuff Part 2

I know, I almost NEVER blog on the weekend, it has to be something really phenomenal to get me to blog, but I have it! In fact, I have to, because in all my preparations for our party today I completely forgot to tell you about my bloggy friend's bloggiversary! Mrs U. is hosting a drawing today for a wonderful prize package, including the wonderful book Queen of the Castle! Head over here for all the information!

Of course, Mrs. U is worth reading all the time, not just when she is hosting contests that sweet Elizabeth will be the drawing princess for! (I wonder what I can bribe Miss. E with to pick my name???)

FIF - Famous Mushrooms

Famous Mushrooms

This is the mushroom recipe that was the hit of every pot luck at the company I worked for when I first moved to the US from Canada. It is also the company that cemented in my mind that all I really wanted to do was stay home and take care of my family.

These mushrooms were always gone very early in the potluck, so if you wanted any you had to be there early! I shared the story here about how I found the recipe while putting cookbooks away.

So here is the extremely complicated recipe! :-)

Famous Mushrooms

4-5 packages of whole button mushrooms, cleaned (the white ones in the blue tray)
2 sticks of margarine
2 envelopes Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix.

Add all ingredients together in a Crock Pot. Turn on low for about 3 hours, stirring every now and then. Mushrooms will shrink and get nice and juicy.

Serve and enjoy!


See, I told you it was a very difficult recipe! I will be making it Saturday for our Housewarming/2nd Birthday Party. Complete menu is here.

Frugal Friday - Coke $1 off coupons

This weekend, along with Memorial Day weekend is one of the best grocery shopping weekends of the year. One of the big sales will be on Cokes. In all my fliers you an get 12 packs for $2 each.

If you log on to www.MyCokeRewards.com and register, you can print of $1 off a 12 pack coupons for every 15 points you enter (printable coupons). When I did it just Coke Zero was available.

You can get the points off your boxes and bottles, or enter these promotional codes:

Free 20oz - 100084226454945

Pts - Code
25- 100084148441474
25- 100084056688357
10-100083969675326
10-100082622438433
10- 100082211832616
5 - 100082157763657
3 -100082021821624

I have seen some adds having 5 x 12 packs for $10, so you could be in great shape if your store doubles all coupons, and not just the first one of something.....

Happy 4th of July BBQing!

Head on over to Crystal's for baby cuteness and more great tips!

Housewarming and 2nd Birthday Party Menu

Housewarming and 2nd Birthday Party Menu

Appetizers: to be out when guests arrive
Taco Chili with chips, salsa, sour cream and shredded cheese
Veggies and Dip tray
Fruit tray
Grapes

Afternoon BBQ
Burgers and Hotdogs with all the fixings
Salad
Pasta Salad
Famous Mushrooms

Dessert
Cake
Ice Cream
Ice Cream Cones


We are expecting a total of 13 adults and 8 children at our party. Do you think that this might be a bit over the top?

Fabulous Stuff Pt. 1

I have been finding lots of fabulous drawings lately, and have been very remiss in sharing them with you! It is not like moving exactly two weeks ago today, having my MIL visiting and helping, and having a Housewarming / Happy 2nd Birthday Party on Saturday combined with Mr. Pear having a business trip this week (he got home safely late last night) is any reason to slack in my duty of sharing this great stuff with you! So here is the first one....more to follow...

Life in a Shoe is hosting a giveaway of Vision Forum's exciting new adventure series, Ballantyne books. While I have not read this series, it sounds wonderful from Kim's description, and I am constantly on the lookout for excellent literature!

Head on over to check it out!

WFMW - Sorting Cookbooks

I have a cookbook obsession, I love to cook, I love to try new things, and my MIL would hate me if she did not love me so much because she says that everything new I try works, and looks just like the picture in the cookbook. She exaggerates of course, but you get the idea!

But my cookbook bookshelf is FULL! (The movers even commented on the sheer number of books we own!) I buy them, people give them to me, they are fundraisers....I have a cookbook from the synod of the church denomination I grew up in when they raised money to help others, from the church my husband's aunt and uncle attend, the one my maid of honor attended, the 4-H group I grew up in, along with a whole host of others. The problem is that my bookshelf is overflowing. Alarmingly so. Plus, the file of to be tried recipes from magazines and the web is 3 inches thick. Then there is the stack of Kraft Magazines, Gourmet Magazines, Bon Appetite Magazines, Fine Cooking, and Cooks Illustrated (I just pick up the ones that interest me, usually at Costco where they are discounted).

It is time for some kind of intervention!

So here is my plan.

1. I no longer print out recipes. I can save them as PDF files to my computer. I go through my recipe file once a month or two with the "slash and burn" mentality. If it no longer sounds good, I delete it!

2. Pick one cookbook that really did not work out for me because it really only had a hand full of good recipes, that is a candidate to be passed on or put in storage because it is a great reference book and I cannot quite part with it yet. Once I have picked this cookbook I mark every recipe I want to try and work through it, trying to fit in two or three recipes a week depending on what is on sale and our schedule. If I like the recipe I type it up into the cookbook compilation I have on my computer, if not I move on and do not think about it again.

3. If it is in a magazine or online, I try it, if it is good, it goes into the computer cookbook, if not I just toss it into the recycling.

4. I try to use the slash and burn method to go through magazines and such as well to cut down the leaning tower of potential great recipes.

So far I am making some progress, but there is a long way to go yet....

....And Williams Sonoma Cakes is calling my name.....

So, getting through my "to be tried" pile of recipes and making room for new cookbooks most certainly works for me!

Work of three ladies hands...

So Mr. Pear is in North Carolina. He left Monday morning and will be returning Wednesday night. So that leaves my MIL, Miss Pear and I to our own devices in the house - always a very scary thing....

Our box count is down to three boxes and two mirror packs in the house, about 10 boxes and a crated picture in the garage.

So what is a girl to do with all these boxes and paper? Our trash company has a move in special where they bring you a dumpster so that you may recycle all your moving supplies. Our dumpster was delivered yesterday morning, and by 10AM it was very full. We even resorted to me getting the ladder and climbing in so that I could use my weight to stomp more packing paper in the open crevasses along two sides. My sweet neighbor on one side came out to chat as she was leaving to meet her mom, and did not say anything about the fact that I was indeed standing in a dumpster filled with moving boxes and paper. My other neighbor loaned us his recycling garbage bin for the week so that we could load it up with moving paper. So we are doing well.

Yesterday we also found the mystery missing kitchen box, so I made us a cake and fruit leather.

Today we are off to look for a patio table. We are hoping to have it this week for our party on Saturday...more about that in a later post!

Oh, and the Magnolia tree in the back is now pruned as well, and seeds have been ordered for my veggie garden.

We are definitely not afraid of a little hard work around here!

Ah, progress

One thing I love about our new home is the beautiful magnolia tree in the front yard. Unfortunately it is in dire need of pruning as it is rubbing against the house. I guess I should say it was rubbing against the house as we gave it a good pruning after supper!

We are definitely making progress. We found the missing box of cookbooks, and the missing bathroom box, so that was nice! Miss Pear's room is officially completely unpacked and organized with pictures on the wall! There are no boxes in the kitchen, dining room, or living room, and pictures are going up.

There is still tons to be done, but we are making progress!

Rambling all the way to coffee

I am just waiting for my coffee to be ready this morning. Our start to the morning was not our routine one. I need the car this morning, so we all got up and Miss Pear and I chauffeured Mr. Pear to work this morning. Having only made the trip once, I am very proud to say that I remembered the way there. While this may not seem like a monumental achievement, driving in southern California in a new area is tricky as none of the roads are straight, and none run north to south or east to west, unless it is just briefly. The way I learn my way around is by driving, being a passenger just does not help much, so I anticipate I will be "forced" to do the family driving for a while so I can learn my way around with the help of my navigator and walking map, Mr. Pear. If opposites attract, we are proof, I am geographically challenged, and need to constantly be referring to the map. Mr. Pear is the exact opposite - if he has been there before, even a few years ago and only once, he can get there again, and he looks a the map once, and then just drives there.

The point of that whole paragraph is that we need the car to pick up my MIL at the airport today. I kind of know how to get there as I have driven past it numerous times, but have never actually left the freeway in that area, so after reviewing the map and looking over the directions that Mr. Pear wrote out for me, I think we can do it.

Unpacking is going well. I am only missing a kitchen box, a box of cookbooks, a bathroom box, and a living room box so far. I suspect that they ended up in the garage, so looking in there will happen very shortly. I anticipate that unpacking will go much quicker with the extra set of very helpful hands that is arriving today.

Miss Pear is still under the weather and sneezing big gooey sneezes, and is lethargic in the morning, often just lying down to suck her thumb a little bit and rub her eyes. She finally slept through the night again last night - she has been waking up terribly congested. I am on the mend too, I just cannot seem to shake a very low grade fever that only bothers me when I move around too much - like unpacking 9 boxes of books yesterday.

I have found a few interesting things I had forgotten about as I unpacked boxes. One thing was the employee cookbook from where I once worked. It was assembled for a United Way fund raiser, but unfortunately no one really knew that they were collecting recipes, so it is a rather slim volume, and I did not submit anything, for which I feel very bad, but did not know about it. However, as I flipped through it, I found the famous mushroom recipe! One of the managers brought this to every potluck, and if you wanted any, you had to get there very early! Everyone raved over it! And once I read the recipe I was a little bit annoyed with myself as I should have been able to figure out the THREE ingredients in it! We will be making it for our open house party to celebrate our new house, Miss Pear's birthday, and the Lord's blessings and provision in our lives on June 30. So if it is as good as I remember it, I will post it for you!

One thing about this move, I have lots of material for WFMW, Frugal Fridays, and Kitchen Tip Tuesdays. I basically just use these fun little things so that I remember to share with you all the things that make my life easier in a more spaced out manner with some variety!

We had the ant guy out yesterday to deal with our ant problem - our flower beds around the house were infested, and they were making inroads into the house! We saw immediate improvement, and are thrilled! I have a lot of tips for dealing with ants, after all, I have lived in southern California for 8 years, but these ones were too much for me!

And just out of curiosity, did any one read the Word Studies that I posted last week? There were no comments, so I was not sure, and if nobody liked them, I will not bore you with other stuff like that.

We are home

We are finally in our new home, and we love it!

Last Tuesday we finally closed on our town home.

Wednesday was particularly eventful. We closed on our house, the movers packed us up, and I became an auntie! On Tuesday my sister-in-law (husband's brother and his wife) was taken to the hospital to be induced, after 12 hours nothing had happened, so Wednesday morning she gave birth to their son via C-section. My sweet nephew was 10lbs, 1 oz, and 21 inches of pure cuteness! Everyone is healthy and doing well.

Thursday we were packed up and moved to our new home. It was a very hot and long day. The movers were great. Our new neighbors are great! The house is great. The only thing that is not great was the condition the house was left in. I think the previous owner fired his cleaning crew as soon as we had an agreement and then cleaned nothing...for 4 weeks. I have never seen such filth. We went and bought new toilet seats that day, it was the only way, and I cleaned the bathroom for an hour before we could even shower in it. We have done the initial clean almost everywhere (there is just one bathroom that is still off limits), but I want to get in and do a deep clean everywhere!

Friday we unpacked boxes, got our cable set up so we could have internet to see pictures of our nephew, and had the gas guy come and inspect appliances (he hooked up our gas drier too).

Saturday Miss Pear and I woke up with very bad colds, but we persisted and unpacked more boxes - I finally found our plates and glasses that afternoon. Friends of ours came up to bring us stuff the movers would not pack, and to take us out for supper as a housewarming gift! It was very sweet!

Sunday was spent feeling the ick and unpacking boxes. We have a list of 3 churches in the are to check out, but were too sick to leave the house.

Monday was great - I was sick as all get out, and nothing got done, but we got to see Mr. Pear before he left for work, and his commute was only 10 minutes each way!

Today we are still feeling the ick, but I am very thankful that I can breath again (something I have not been able to do for 2 days even with taking Sudafed!). I spot cleaned the carpet in the living room (but need to really clean the carpets), and we plan on attacking Miss Pear's closet after nap time.

Fortunately my MIL is coming down on Thursday to help, so we will be cleaning, unpacking, organizing, and washing carpets like women possessed! We also plan on painting two bathrooms just so they finally feel clean, even thought they already are.

So basically, I just popped in to say we are in our new home, and surrounded by boxes (but are making progress!), and it is wonderful....

Word Studies -Introduction

This is the start of the special item I have been working on for while I am taking a bloggy break in order to move to our new home and try to get somewhat organized! I hope that you enjoy it and are blessed by it!

Updated to add: Well, our buyer's lender broke their promise, and our moving day slipped one more day, now packing on Wednesday and moving on Thursday, but I am so exhausted and stressed out that I am still starting my bloggy break today.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For a seminary class I had to complete what the professor called word studies.

These were completed by following these steps:

1. In a specific verse we chose a specific word.
2. We looked that word up on Strong's to get the number and the word in the original language, as well as the definition.
3. Then we looked the word up in at least 6 different lexicons, and recorded the definition.
4. After that we looked up the verse in at least 7 different translations....
5. Followed by looking up the verse in at least 7 different commentaries, again recording what we found.
6. Then we looked at all the information we had gathered, prayerfully, and wrote what he called the Word Application.

I completed 12 of these.

As I will be taking a short bloggy break while we move, I am posting all 12, and then all my references in reverse order, so it might look kind of funky in a reader, but on my blog it will be a read from the top down kind of thing....

If this is something you are interested in doing in your study time, I would encourage you to visit a seminary library to do this! They welcome visitors, and are happy to help you and let you plug in your laptop while you work - this is how I completed mine! Although we are slowly building our own reference library, it is nowhere near large enough to pull this kind of research off - neither will it be anytime soon! :-)

Also, many lexicons are now coded to Strong's, so you don't even have to know Greek or Hebrew to do this!

Any ways, I hope you enjoy these!

Please keep in mind that these focus on what the Lord was saying to me in November 2004.

If you are going to link to this, please kindly link to this introductory post....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 1 - 2 Chronicles 15:7
Part 2 - Psalm 3:3
Part 3 - Psalm 37:4
Part 4 - Proverbs 9:10
Part 5 - Isaiah 25:4
Part 6 - Daniel 6:26
Part 7 - Micah 6:8
Part 8 - John 14:6
Part 9 - Romans 12:2
Part 10 - Galatians 3:24
Part 11 - Colossians 1:13-14
Part 12 - Hebrews 11:6
References / Bibliography
Conclusion

Word Studies - Part 1

2 Chronicles 15:7 – But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. (NKJV)

Strong’s # 2388 hazaq (haw-zak´)


Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – to fasten upon, to seize, to be strong, courageous, help, fortify, be constant, continue, to encourage, fortify, become mighty, prevail, strengthen oneself, behave valiantly

Vine’s – to be strong or strengthened, to take hold of, describes both physical and moral strength

Word Study (OT) – to be strong, to strengthen, to be courageous, to overpower, used to express the strength of various phenomena such as the severity of a famine, or the strength of humans to overpower each other

Brown-Driver-Briggs – be or grow firm, strong, strengthen

NIV Hebrew – to be strong, to repair, to establish oneself firmly, to encourage, to rally strength, physical and internal strength

NASB Hebrew – to be or grow strong or firm, strengthened

NIDOTTE – be strong, support, seize


Translations

KJV – Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

NASB95 – But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.

ESV – But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.

NLT – And now, you men of Judah, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.

AMP – Be strong, therefore, and let not your hands be weak and slack, for your work shall be rewarded.

NIV – But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

MSG – But it’s different with you: Be strong. Take heart. Payday is coming!

NRSV – But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.

Darby – But as for you, be firm and let not your hands be weak; for there is a reward for your deeds.

Young’s – and ye, be ye strong, and let not your hands be feeble, for there is a reward for your work.

Commentaries

Wesley – For one to be strong one must maintain the worship of God and root out any idolatry in one’s life. This is the only method for preserving one’s self from the calamities that face all generations.

McGee – As Asa is beginning to turn to God, the prophet is offering encouragement to him. After explaining why they had so many problems in the past, this verse offers encouragement to continue in seeking the Lord.

Expositor’s – This verse serves the passage of scripture it is in by serving as the prophet’s conclusion, which includes an appeal to the people for a resolute faith. This promise includes the promise of a reward from God.

Selman – The prophet is encouraging Asa to remain strong in his search for the Lord as seeking the Lord earnestly and wholeheartedly is a work that is rewarded.

Cambridge Bible – The prophet is warning Asa to not be slack in his search for the Lord, but to strengthen himself and continue.

International Critical – Asa was being encouraged to continue in the reforms that He had started, and to not follow in the path of Israel.

Word – This verse is emphasizing the victory that God can gives to even the weakest army against the strongest. Therefore the strength is not in military numbers, but in the Lord God Himself.

Word Application

The command to be strong in this verse is much more than a command to maintain military might, or to continue resolutely in the face of opposition. This is a command to remain resolute in searching for the Lord as when one searches for the Lord wholeheartedly one is rewarded with the reward that surpasses all others, with the Lord Himself. While this command was specific to Asa regarding his search for the Lord, and his commitment to reform the nation from being idolatrous to once again seeking the true God, it also holds true for believers today. The Lord is not some vindictive or manipulative God who hides from those who seriously, faithfully, and wholeheartedly seek Him. The Lord rewards those who seek Him by allowing them to find Him.
While the search for the Lord is most often conducted through prayer, worship, as well as the study of and meditation on scriptures, an important part of seeking the Lord is removing that which opposes Him in one’s life. In current culture there are many things that establish themselves as idols within one’s life from the obvious such as occult and new age religions to the less obvious like the quest for possessions and success, yet both categories are insidious.
When one seeks the Lord one finds that the Lord is the source of all one needs. The military leaders and kings of Israel and Judah who were faithful to the Lord found that He was more powerful than even the most overwhelming military force. Even though the battles most believers face today are not military in form, this concept still holds true. If one seek the Lord as one’s only source of strength one will find more strength in the Lord than in any other source.

Word Studies - Part 2

Psalm 3:3 – But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. (NKJV)


Strong’s # 3519 kabod (kaw-bode´)


Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – from kabad or kabed meaning to make weighty; to make glorious, to properly weight, and refers to splendor, honor, and glory.

Vine’s – honor, glory, splendor, refers to an imposing presence or position, to importance, can refer to the position of a person such as a social position, or a position of respect enjoyed by nobility and royalty, points to God’s sovereignty

Word Study (OT) – honor, glory, majesty, wealth – word used commonly to refer to God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs – abundance, honor, glory, splendor, external of conditions or circumstances

NIV Hebrew – glory, honor, splendor, wealth

NASB Hebrew – glorious, splendid, honor, glory

NIDOTTE – abundance, honor, glory

Translations

KJV – But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

NASB95 – But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.

ESV – But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

NLT – But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high.

AMP – But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

NIV – But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

MSG – But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high.

NRSV – But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

Darby – But thou, Jehovah, art a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

Young’s – And Thou, O Jehovah, [art] a shield for me, My honour, and lifter up of my head.


Commentaries

Wesley – God is the only source of glory in the past, present, and future, and God bestows and reveals His glory according to His power and favor.

Spurgeon – This Psalm was written as David is fleeing his capital city in shame and scorn, yet he is looking forward to the time when God will again restore him to the glory he had known as king of Israel. There is a present glory in one’s afflictions that is often unperceivable in the midst of the circumstances, yet is evident in hindsight. While often one only sees the glory of God in blessings, one must also look for the glory of God in one’s tribulations.

Expositor’s – During this time of tribulation in David’s life he relied upon God, and was confident of the Lord’s promises, and nature, which is highlighted in this verse in the attribute of God: glory. In this passage the phrase glory signifies the Lord’s rule over His kingdom, and that rule is said to be glorious. It is this confidence in the Glorious Lord that gives David the confidence and inner strength to again lift his head.

Knight – In calling God his glory, David crying out to God for Him to rise up in His glory and majesty, with an uprising that is as unstoppable as the rising sun. David is calling on God to rid him of his enemies; something David cannot do for himself.

Wilcock – Running from Absalom’s revolt, David is no longer in control, and in this desperate situation he calls out to God. Even in this desperate situation David is confident that the Lord reigns and is sovereign.

Broyles – The manner in which David cries out to the Lord clearly indicates his belief that God is worthy of his trust, and one can rely on His protection. David is relying on God to restore him, and to overcome this shame for him, hence he calls God his glory.

Boice – In the face of trials and persecution, the believer must never think that God is not concerned about the situation within which one finds oneself. David was confident that God would once again bestow glory upon him.


Word Application

In modern corporate culture employees are taught to promote themselves, to advertise their accomplishments, and to politic for promotions by ensuring that all know how skilled they are. The modern corporate culture values an employee who makes everyone think they are busy and working all the time but are not over those who are working so hard that they do not promote themselves or let others know how busy they really are. Modern corporate culture encourages employees to glorify themselves, which is a sad and accurate reflection of the surrounding society.
David, who was a king and is still regarded as a hero to the Jewish people, could have easily have glorified himself, he certainly had many reasons to. Yet David relied completely on God to not only preserve him in this time of trial, to protect him, but also to once again bestow glory upon him by returning him to his throne. David understood that his glory on this earth did not come from what he could accomplish, who he was, or how he promoted himself; his glory came from the Lord.
David sets a strong example for today’s society. Rather than seeking to promote one’s self, or to seize glory for oneself, one is better off following David’s example by trusting the Lord, trusting in His power, majesty, and sovereignty rather than what one can accomplish through human effort. The only lasting and eternal source of glory is the Lord Himself, and He bestows His glory on those He chooses. One can be confident in the Lord to offer protection, and restoration, and therefore one can be confident that the Lord is indeed one’s glory.

Word Studies - Part 3

Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart. (NKJV)


Strong’s # 3820 leb (labe)


Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – variation of the word lebab which means heart, leb refers to the feelings, the will, and the intellect

Vine’s – refers to inner man, the soul, the seat of desire or inclination, the seat of emotions, the seat of wisdom and knowledge, seat of conscience and moral character

Word Study (OT) – may refer to the physical human heart, but usually refers to the seat of one’s inner nature, or a specific aspect of the personality, refers to the mind, the will, the emotions

Brown-Driver-Briggs – inner man, mind, will, heart, comprehending mind affections, and will with the occasional emphasis of one over the other

NIV Hebrew – heart, the inner person, self, the seat of thought and emotion: conscience, courage, mind, understanding

NASB Hebrew – inner man, mind, will

NIDOTTE – heart, center of moral deliberation and decision making


Translations

KJV – Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

NASB95 – Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.

ESV – Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

NLT – Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

AMP – Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

NIV – Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

MSG – Keep company with God, get in on the best.

NRSV – Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Darby – and delight thyself in Jehovah, and he will give thee the desires of thy heart.

Young’s – And delight thyself on Jehovah, And He giveth to thee the petitions of thy heart


Commentaries

Spurgeon – It is safe to give those who delight in the Lord that which their hearts desire as they will ask for that which pleases God as their will is willingly laid down in order to seek God’s will. In this passage the author is not referring to one’s casual desires, but rather to the deepest, innermost desires.

Clarke – A godly person only desires that which can be formed into a prayer to God, therefore one who is godly would not desire that which cannot be articulated to God.

McGee – This verse was a promise for the nation of Israel, and also a promise for believers today as the Lord continues to pour out spiritual blessings upon His people.

Expositors – When one delights oneself in the Lord there is a spirit of submission and surrender to the Lord where one learns to enjoy the blessings of the Lord that are both material, and the contentment that comes from a right relationship with God.

Knight – This teaching Psalm instructs that one should not fret about the things of life, rather one should make delighting oneself in the Lord the first priority in life and trust the Lord to care for the details of life.

Wilcock – One must not be concerned about or participate in the plans of the wicked, rather one must trust in the Lord, confident that He will overcome all plans of the wicked and care for His children, providing both their needs and the hearts desires.

Broyles – One must not be envious of the apparent success of the wicked, rather one should continue to look to the Lord for success and provision.

Boice – Before one knows the Lord one resists any relationship with Him believing that God is not desirable. However, once one knows God through salvation one realizes that God is holy, sovereign, and awesome, not to be taken lightly, and as one grows in this relationship one realizes that trust in God translates into delight. When one delights in the Lord one does receive the desires of one’s heart as one receives God.

Word Application

The delight of one’s heart in this passage does not refer to one’s fantasies of being a millionaire, nor does it refer to the dream of instantly having a completely different life, in a different place, and therefore being instantly blissfully happy. The preface for receiving the desires of one’s heart is to first delight one’s self in the Lord.
In the course of delighting one’s self in the Lord, one will find that the desires of one’s heart will be adjusted to become increasingly consistent with God’s will. That is to say that rather than seeking material possessions, a person will want what God has revealed to be His will for them. As one delights in the Lord His desires for one’s life become the first priority. Therefore, as one delights in the Lord and becomes closer to the Lord in that relationship there will be things that cannot be articulated in prayer as they are either contrary to the Lord’s revealed will, is contrary to what is acceptable in scripture, or one prays and feels the Lord instructing that one should not pray for that.
As one grows in one’s relationship with the Lord, one grows in one’s faith, trust, and understanding of the Lord, which translates into one learning to delight in the Lord. As one grows in this delight of the Lord one begins to desire chiefly that which is the Lord’s will for them, and when one prays within the will of the Lord, one receives abundant answers to prayer, and therefore the desires of one’s heart. The Lord has not stopped caring for the needs of His children, or the details of their life, and the Lord has not stopped bestowing generous gifts upon His children. Rather, His children have forgotten how to ask for these gifts as their first delight is not always in the Lord.

Word Studies - Part 4

Proverbs 9:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (NKJV)

Strong’s # 3374 yir’a (yir-aw´)


Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – fear, moral reverence, exceeding fear, piety

Vine’s – fear, reverence, fear of men, situations, or God, also reverence for God

Word Study (OT) – fear of God that acknowledges God’s good intentions, is produced by God’s word making a person receptive to wisdom and knowledge, restrains people from sin

Brown-Driver-Briggs – fear of God, reverence, piety

NIV Hebrew – fear, reverence, piety

NASB Hebrew – fear, reverence

NIDOTTE – fear, reverence, held in honor


Translations

KJV – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

NASB95 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

ESV – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

NLT – Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding.

AMP – The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.

NIV – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

MSG – Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.

NRSV – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Darby – The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is intelligence.

Young’s – The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of Jehovah, and a knowledge of the Holy Ones [is] understanding.


Commentaries

McGee – If one lives without God in this world, it can only be concluded that person is a fool, the fear and reverence of the Lord is the starting point of wisdom regardless of age, social position, or number of university degrees.

Expositor’s – The fear of the Lord is the foundation of all wisdom and righteousness. One who fears the Lord is willing to receive correction, and is seeking additional knowledge, viewing learning as a life long occupation.

Word – Wisdom is of great value, and it originates with God.

Cohen – The fear of the Lord is a basic prerequisite for any true wisdom or knowledge.

Bridges – This sentence repeats a theme in Proverbs making it clear that this thought is very important, and worthy of consideration. A child of God has only one desire and one fear: that is the desire to please the Father, and the fear of offending Him. When one seeks to please the Father, one is seeking to delight in Him, and the fear of offending the Lord is a motivator to this delight.

Miller – The fear of the Lord can also be translated holiness, faith, or a change of heart, but regardless of what it is called, it is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

Aitken – Whether one seeks folly or wisdom completely depends on one’s relationship with God. Only those who fear the Lord can walk in the ways of wisdom.

Word Application

Frequently when one reads of the fear of the Lord one equates fear with terror, particularly among children, and those new to the Christian faith. Yet when one thinks of the fear of the Lord as something that acknowledges the good intentions that God has for his people, that refers to one’s reverence for God, and means holding God in great honor one begins to consider this word quite differently. When this occurs to a degree where one has no fear of the Lord, one often becomes complacent in one’s relationship with the Lord. Therefore this verse is a reminder to understand the balance that is required where one is not afraid to come into the presence of the Lord, but one is also not so comfortable that one does not regard the power of the Lord.
When one is seeking to live a life pleasing to the Lord one wants to delight the Lord, to be a source of pleasure to Him, and therefore a person would be afraid of offending the one who has done so much to redeem her, to grow her into a strong person, and grow her in the things of His kingdom. This is not the kind of fear that one would have of a predator or of a dictator king, rather this is the fear that a child has of angering the beloved parent. This fear is one that motivates good behavior and encourages one to find out exactly what delights the object of this fear or reverence so that one may bring Him delight.
When one walks in this balanced fear, love, and reverence of the Lord one has discovered the source of wisdom; one has discovered both the Lord, and the ways pleasing to the Lord. This verse is a call to this balanced understanding that many have lost, and few understand. This verse offers the basic guideline of a life that delights the Lord, and therefore grows the follower in the wisdom and knowledge of the things of God.

Word Studies - Part 5

Isaiah 25:4 – For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is a storm against the wall. (NKJV)

Strong’s # 4268 mahseh (makh-as-eh´)

Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – a shelter, a hope, a refuge, a trust

Word Study (OT) – refuge, shelter, a place of safety, protection, and security

Brown-Driver-Briggs – refuge, shelter, from danger, rain, storms

Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament – refuge, shelter

NIV Hebrew – refuge, shelter

NASB Hebrew – refuge, shelter

NIDOTTE – mountain stronghold, fortress, place of safety


Translations

KJV – For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

NASB95 – For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a rain storm against a wall.

ESV – For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.

NLT – But to the poor, O Lord, you are a refuge from the storm. To the needy in distress, you are a shelter from the rain and the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall.

AMP – For You have been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the ruthless ones is like a rainstorm against a wall.

NIV – You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall.

MSG – They’ll see that you take care of the poor, that you take care of poor people in trouble, provide a warm, dry place in bad weather, provide a cool place when it’s hot. Brutal oppressors are like a winter blizzard.

NRSV – For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm.

Darby – For thou hast been a fortress to the poor, a fortress for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat: for the blast of the terrible ones [has been] as the storm [against] a wall.

Young’s – For Thou hast been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in his distress, a refuge from storm, a shadow from heat, when the spirit of the terrible [is] as a storm — a wall.


Commentaries

Expositor’s – While the NKJV only uses the word refuge once in this verse, there are three references in this verse to God providing shelter or refuge for His people, this repetition to stress the same thought indicate the writers belief that this shelter the Lord provides is an accomplished fact. God has been a refuge for the people of Israel since before the Exodus, and His care for His people has continued through time, regardless of the circumstances.

Word – This verse is part of a song thanking the Lord for the safety and refuge that He provided for His people, citing the fact that He cares for those society often ignores; the poor and the needy.

Sawyer – The city has experienced attacks, but the Lord has protected them, and now the inhabitants of the city are confident God can protect against any threat and any storm.

Motyer – The Lord does not abandon His people when they are in times of trouble, rather His deliverance for His people often appears simple, such as the provision of refuge in a storm. The refuge that God provides is a place of inherent strength that is always available as God is faithful.

Leupold – This passage could refer to a city that fell after the occupants oppressed the poor and the needy, therefore the fall of the city was to liberate these people who are always a concern to God.

Gray – The refuge in this passage is a place where one would go to seek refuge from either weather, or one’s enemies. Those who belong to the Lord may seek out the certain shelter that only He provides.

Goldingay – One cannot overcome those who are in the Lord’s care and protection.


Word Application

The idea of God being a refuge or a shelter to His people is not unique to this verse. Throughout scripture God cares for His people, offering them safety and shelter, beginning with Adam and Eve in the garden, and continuing through to the last verses of Revelation. However, one would be mistaken to presume that the Lord no longer provides shelter for His people. The Lord is constant, and unchanging; therefore it is not possible that God would shelter His faithful people in the Bible, and not shelter His faithful people now. God has always cared for His faithful people, and has always shown great compassion for those who society does not regard such as the poor, the widows, and those in need.
God still provides shelter for His people today, but that shelter or refuge often comes in simple ways that are explained away. Instances of this refuge may be the kind nurse who cares for the family who is waiting for news from the operating room where a loved one is undergoing life-threatening surgery, or even the neighbor who shovels the walk for the widow who is unable to complete the task herself. God’s refuge and shelter is still there for His people during the storms of life, during times of great stress and pressure, and during times of distress. One can always run to one’s heavenly Father for refuge, and the refuge He provides can never be conquered.

Word Studies - Part 6

Daniel 6:26 – I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. (NKJV)

Strong’s # 7011 qayyam (kah-yawm´)


Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – from the word quwm, which means to make stand; to appoint, to establish permanent, sure

Word Study (OT) – something assured, or enduring; never comes to an end, deteriorates, or fails

Brown-Driver-Briggs – enduring

Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament – enduring

NIV Hebrew – enduring

NASB Hebrew – enduring, assured

NIDOTTE – unbreakable, everlasting


Translations

KJV – I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

NASB95 – I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; for He is the living God and enduring forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will be forever.

ESV – I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.

NLT – I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.

AMP – I make a decree that in all my royal dominion men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God, enduring and steadfast forever, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed and His dominion shall be even to the end [of the world].

NIV – I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end”.

MSG – I decree that Daniel’s God shall be worshiped and feared in all parts of my kingdom. He is the living God, world without end. His kingdom never falls. His rule continues eternally.

NRSV – I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end.

Darby – I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

Young’s – From before me is made a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom they are trembling and fearing before the God of Daniel, for He [is] the living God, and abiding to the ages, and His kingdom that which [is] not destroyed, and His dominion [is] unto the end.


Commentaries

McGee – In this passage there is a contrast between the Living God of David, and the idols with the key point in this verse being that while idols will eventually rot, and are incapable of making promises or keeping their word, the Living God is steadfast and unchanging, He can be trusted and depended on eternally.

Expositor’s – This verse emphasizes that Daniel’s God is alive as evidenced by His interaction in history, His responses to situations, and His provision and justice for His people. It emphasizes God’s eternal rule that will never pass away, and His miraculous deliverance of His people. God is steadfast as He does not change the way He interacts with His people based on a whim.

Longman – While Darius is forced to abide by a law He cannot overthrow that was made rashly, one has no such concerns with the true King of Israel who is consistent and whose ways are enduring. God cannot be overruled, tricked, or manipulated by human effort.

Russell – God’s kingdom and sovereignty are certain and steadfast, God rules a dominion that is constant and everlasting as He is the God who is unchanging and unchangeable.

Montgomery – The dominion of man is not enduring, yet the dominion of God is, and this passage contrasts the unchanging and enduring dominion of God with the changing and failing dominion of man.

Leupold – Even though the decree of Darius sounds scriptural, one must always be cautious that which is not scripture, regardless of how good it sounds. The truth of God is enduring, and while the truth of humanity passes away, the truth of God remains forever.

Goldengay – Darius acknowledges that only the Living God is enduring and eternal, and the result is that God is now the center of worship rather than His worship simply being tolerated.


Word Application

The world currently is a wasteland of quick, temporary solutions, and instant gratification. It is currently more difficult in a court of law to dissolve a business arrangement than a marriage in which a couple vowed before God to be united as one as long as they both shall live. Society does not comprehend long-term commitment. This society of instant solutions is capable of changing one’s look through plastic surgery, one’s habits through life coaches, and one’s mental state through psychology or psychiatry. Society teaches that change is good, and must be embraced. Therefore it is clear why society is unable to comprehend the steadfast, unchanging, unchangeable, eternal God.
The Lord Almighty cannot be categorized or limited to fit into the comprehension of modern society. Rather God defies society’s restrictions by remaining faithful to His people, and not changing the rules as He goes along. Almost two thousand years ago God instructed that one could be saved through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and that has not changed. In a world of shifting terms and conditions, God has remained constant, and His requirement for salvation will never change, He has promised that. One can rely on God completely, trust Him absolutely, and be confident that He is the unchanging Eternal God.
Finally, in a world of subjective truth, the Lord God can be trusted to consistently and continually speak only the truth. In fact, God cannot lie as He is truth itself. God’s standard does not change, and His commitment to the truth does not change. As Darius learned, only the Living God of Daniel is steadfast, is enduring and eternal, all else passes away.

Word Studies - Part 7

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (NKJV)

Strong’s # 6800 sana` (saw-nah´)

Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – to humiliate, humble, lowly

Vine’s – to bring low, to humble

Word Study (OT) – humble, act meekly, not arrogant or boastful, living according to the meekness and humility

Brown-Driver-Briggs – be modest, humble, reserved, showing a humble walk with God.

NIV Hebrew – humble, modest

NASB Hebrew – to be modest or humble

NIDOTTE – modest, humble, humility


Translations

KJV – He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

NASB95 – He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

ESV – He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

NLT – No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

AMP – He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?

NIV – He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

MSG – But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.

NRSV – He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Darby – He hath shewn thee, O man, what is good: and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Young’s – He hath declared to thee, O man, what [is] good; Yea, what is Jehovah requiring of thee, except — to do judgment, and love kindness, And lowly to walk with thy God?


Commentaries

Wesley – To walk humbly before God one must maintain a constant fellowship with God that is marked by a humble attitude, and holy faith.

Clarke – To walk humbly before God implies that one has acknowledged one’s iniquity and has submitted to be saved through the sacrifice of Jesus, realizing this is the only way. Without this humbling of one’s soul it is impossible to walk with the Lord.

McGee – This verse must never be misconstrued as indicating a religion of works. Micah is answering questions put to him by those in the Northern Kingdom who had not been educated about God and who wanted to know how to approach the Living God. Micah’s answer to this question is that an external show is insufficient to meet the requirements of the Lord, rather one must be changed on the inside which is consistent with the transformation that occurs through the Holy Spirit.

Expositor’s – Throughout the Mosaic law there is an undercurrent of justice, and Micah repeats that theme again by calling the people to act justly, and to freely show kindness and mercy to people. This is much easier to achieve if one is walking humbly before God, which means to live in a conscious and continuous fellowship with God.

Craigie – Christianity is a religion of relationship, and at the heart of that relationship is one’s daily walk with God, and a humble walk with God directly corresponds with practicing justice, and showing kindness. Yet, despite this fact, there is inherency in every human to be proud and independent, therefore the need to be reminded to walk humbly with God.

Achtemeier – If one walks humbly with God, that means that one walks in a constant communion with God in a modest, lowly, self-effacing manner with one’s attention and focus on God. When one walks humbly with God one is seeking the will of the Lord, and accepting the guidance and correction of God.

Boice – God is the Almight, the Creator of heaven and earth, one has no choice but to walk humbly with Him when one realizes precisely who He is.

Word Application

To walk humbly before God is to understand that God is holy and righteous, and sinful man is not, as humanity on its own is sinful and filled with iniquity. It is only through the sacrifice of Jesus that one can even dare to enter the presence of God. Before Jesus atoned for the sins of believers, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies once a year with great fear and trepidation as if the rituals for cleansing had not been completed perfectly, entering the Holy of Holies would result in the death of the High Priest. The sacrifice of Jesus allows the believer to be viewed as holy in the eyes of God, and one must not forget that it was only through this act of sacrificial love that one can have this privilege of entering God’s presence. Therefore one must not walk proudly before God, as the chief reason one can walk with God is because God paid a heavy price to allow it.
Walking humbly before God is more than an acknowledgement of one’s sinful condition, it is also the maintaining of a right relationship with God through prayer (and confession), studying scripture, and spending time with God. It is maintaining a fellowship with God based on a holy faith and humble attitude that acknowledges that God is the only God, and mankind is not. From this right and humble relationship with God one is more equipped to fulfill the commandment of God to love one Him, to love one another, and to love justice and mercy.

Word Studies - Part 8

John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (NKJV)

Strong’s # 2222 zoe (dzo-ay´)

Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – life or lifetime, vitality. From the word zao (Strong’s # 2198) meaning to live, lifetime, or quick

Vine’s – life in the sense that God has it, life as a principle or in an absolute sense, separation from God forfeits this life

Word Study (NT) – physical life, as opposed to death, life without end, a life or existence after rising from the dead

Analytical Greek Lexicon – living, existence, spiritual life of deliverance from the proper penalty of sin, the final life of the redeemed, the source of spiritual life

Thayer – life, possessed of vitality, absolute fullness of life

NASB Greek – alive, life, living

NIV Greek – physical or spiritual life

NIDNTT – make alive, give life to, create life, living creature, refers to both physical life and spiritual life


Translations

KJV – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

NASB95 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

ESV – Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

NLT – Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

AMP – Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.”

NIV – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

MSG – Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.

NRSV – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Darby – Jesus says to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father unless by me.

Young’s – Jesus saith to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one doth come unto the Father, if not through me


Commentaries

Barnes’ – The life that Jesus offers is an eternal life that is not dependant on earthly immortality. The life that Jesus offers is an eternal and abundant life in the presence of God that is not dependant on mortal bodies.

Clarke – Jesus provides a life that energizes us in this life, bringing both grace and glory, and that not only saves us from an eternal death, but also completely destroys that death.

McGee – Jesus is the only way, the very standard for truth, and the very source of life. In both the physical and spiritual realm Jesus is the source of life, the origin of life.

Expositor’s – Jesus is responding to the earlier question regarding the groups destination. In response Jesus basically states the foundation for the ultimate philosophy of life in this verse as he claims to be the answer to the problems that humans face, and rather than offer a formula, Jesus offers a relationship. By recognizing and accepting that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and all that this means, one enters into relationship with Jesus. Additionally, Jesus is the life because death could not hold Jesus, so rather than death being the end of His life, He made death subject to Him when He rose again.

Life Application – Jesus makes it clear that their destination is not a physical location, but the Father, a person, and He makes it clear that He is the only roadway that leads to the Father. In this verse Jesus also tells the disciples that He is the fulfillment or the reality of the promises of the Father, and that He is the life who joins our mortal life to his eternal and divine life. The life Jesus gives us is both for this life, and for eternity as He is the only source of life.

Barclay – Humanity of often obsessed with legacy and immortality, like death of the mortal body can be stopped. Yet Jesus offers that which humanity seeks, a life that lasts eternally, a life worth living that is truly a full and fulfilling life.

Tenney – Jesus is the life, He is that spiritual vitality that originates only with God, and is capable of lifting one out of one’s sin to the Lord Himself.


Word Application

Just as Jesus not only showed the way to the Father but also became the way to the Father, so to does Jesus show us how to have life abundantly and eternally and also become that life for us. Jesus showed humanity how to live an abundant life by living a life submitted to God. He made it possible for us to have the eternal life in God by dying on the cross to break the hold of death in believers’ lives and therefore blessing those who confess their faith in Him with eternal life. This life that Jesus offers His followers does not begin when one dies, rather it begins the instant that one accepts Jesus as one’s Lord and Savior. The gift of the Holy Spirit that one receives with one’s salvation allows one to live a life submitted to God, and therefore to live an increasingly holy and abundant life. The life Jesus offers gives rest from trying to achieve one’s own immortality, and from striving against God, and as one submits to the Lord’s authority in all areas of one’s life this abundant life provides rest from much of the stress and pressure of this life.
Popular culture encourages one to have a fulfilling life, to do it all, to see it all, and to experience it all. Yet this life encouraged by culture does not leave one fulfilled, it often leaves one exhausted and disappointed. Abundant and fulfilling life is only found through salvation if Jesus, to look elsewhere is to be disappointed. As many believers still face this pressure to live up to society’s expectations it is only by bringing this pressure to the Lord that one will be freed of it, and be set free into the life God intends His children to have.

Word Studies - Part 9

Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

Strongs # 3339 metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo´-o)

Lexicons/Bible Dictionary

Strong’s – to transform, literally “metamorphose”; change, transfigure, transform

Vine’s – to change into another form, to become different, undergo a complete change under the power of God, stresses an inward change as opposed to an outward change

Word Study (NT) – denotes a change of place or condition, to form, to transform, transfigure, change one’s form

Analytical Greek Lexicon – to change the external form, transfigure. to undergo a spiritual transformation, to be transfigured

Thayer – to change into another form, to transfigure, to transform, to change moral character for the better

NASB Greek – to transform

NIV Greek – to be transformed, to be changed in form, to be transfigured

NIDNTT – be transformed, changed in appearance, change of character


Translations

KJV – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

NASB95 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

ESV – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

NLT – Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

AMP – Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

NIV – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

MSG – Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

NRSV – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Darby – And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [your] mind, that ye may prove what [is] the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Young’s – and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will of God — the good, and acceptable, and perfect.


Commentaries

Barnes’ – In this context the writer is clearly referring to the transformation of the whole person, therefore the reader is being urged to not cultivate a spirit of worldly things such as the fashions and pleasures of this world, but rather to cultivate a spirit devoted to God and the things of His kingdom and priority.

Clarke – To be transformed in Romans 12:2 means to become a new person by the power of God with new habits, a new form of worship, and a newness of spirit that results in a total change of who one appears to be both to the observer, as well as internally.

McGee – One must not construct one’s life based on the influence of those around one, even if those people are pillars of the Church and devout Christians. One must yield to the Holy Spirit working within as it is the Holy Spirit who transforms and renews one, making one into a new person. When one allows this to happen, one will be transformed into a new creature that is pleasing to God.

Expositor’s – At the same time that one is refusing to conform to the world one is also being transformed and renewed through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the example before one being transformed is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The believer is continually reaffirming the necessity of the salvation received from and through Christ. Dedication to the continual renewing of one’s mind results in discernment, which results in the ability to delight in God’s will.

Life Application – The believer is to be completely transformed from the inside out in a transformation that begins with the mind. This transformation requires the renewing of one’s mind, and cannot occur without it. As one meditates on and studies the Word of God, the mind begins to change as the pattern confirms to the pattern of God that all of humanity was originally created to have.

Barclay – The word transformed means the essential unchanging, and while one remains the same physical person, one is not the same person at sixty years of age that they were at twenty-six years of age. Paul is saying that the inward person is to change and become dominated by Jesus Christ, or by the Holy Spirit. When this dominance occurs one can offer real worship to the Lord.

Sproul – The transformation called for in this verse is beyond the forms or structures of this world, and is not a call to cease from interacting with others, it is a call to dedicate our lives to God, and to His glory. This transformation requires that we relearn things from God’s perspective as our minds are retrained to think the thoughts that would be pleasing to God, and that God would have us think.


Word Application

Transformation in Romans 12:2 is more than what exercise, plastic surgery, a diet, and a good therapist can bring about in one’s life. The transformation being discussed is a transformation that begins internally with the work of the Holy Spirit, and literally becomes a change from the inside out as one’s spirit is cultivated to desire that which is of God and His kingdom. The new person one becomes as a result of this transformation enjoys a new joy in one’s life, a new set of habits that grows one in one’s relationship with the Lord, and even a new form of worship. This transformation cannot be achieved by following the role models available, even those in churches as this transformation is available only through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. This transformation involves a renewing of one’s mind as the Holy Spirit teaches one to think in a new way, in the way that God would have one think.
This transformation in one’s habits, thinking, view point, values, and even worship often results in one feeling like one has become a whole new person. However this transformation is never complete, and as one yields to the work and influence of the Holy Spirit one will find that one is becoming increasingly similar to the example that Jesus set for all believers to follow. The only way to accelerate this transformation is to become increasingly submitted to the Lord’s work in one’s life.

Word Studies - Part 10

Galatians 3:24 – Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (NKJV)

Strong’s # 1344 dikaioo (dik-ah-yo´-o)

Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – to render just or innocent; free, just, be righteous

Vine’s – to deem to be right, to show to be righteous

Word Study (NT) – just, righteous, making one righteous, to make one righteous without violating the law, or setting aside the appropriate sentence, the guilty person is free from condemnation when the penalty has been fulfilled, not necessarily a declaration of innocence, the liberation from what imprisons

Analytical Greek Lexicon – to make right or render right or just, to act with justice, to vindicate, to set forth as good and just, to hold as guiltless or accept as righteous, to be viewed as acquitted

Thayer – to show one to be righteous, to pronounce one to be just, acquitted of charge

NASB Greek – to show to be righteous, to declare righteous, acquitted, freed, vindicated

NIV Greek – to justify, vindicate, to put someone in proper relationship with another, declare righteous

NIDNTT – righteous, upright, justify, vindicate, treat as just, acquit, make or set free from


Translations

KJV – Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

NASB95 – Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

ESV – So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

NLT – Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came. So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God.

AMP – So that the Law served [to us Jews] as our trainer [our guardian, our guide to Christ, to lead us] until Christ [came], that we might be justified (declared righteous, put in right standing with God) by and through faith.

NIV – So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

MSG – The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for.

NRSV – Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith.

Darby – So that the law has been our tutor up to Christ, that we might be justified on the principle of faith.

Young’s – so that the law became our child-conductor — to Christ, that by faith we may be declared righteous


Commentaries

Clarke – The law is nothing more than a tutor to educate one in what sin is, but the law cannot make one righteous or provide a way for one to make oneself righteous, however, the law does direct us to Christ who is the only one who can justify us by faith.

McGee – The law cannot cleanse us, it can only serve as a mirror to reveal the sin in one’s life. It is only the blood of Jesus that cleanses one from sin.

Expositor’s – The law can only point out flaws, it cannot save or justify. Salvation and justification only come through faith in Jesus Christ.

Life Application – Justification with God is only available through faith, and that faith must be in Jesus Christ.

Barclay – The function of the law is to lead one to Jesus Christ by making it clear that one cannot maintain the law on one’s own. While the law cannot lead one into the presence of God, it can take one to the point of deciding to enter the presence of God through faith, which allows the Lord to cleanse one from sin, and to justify one before God.

Tenney – The law is the tutor that brings us to Christ so that one may receive the forgiveness of sins and be justified in the eyes of God.

Stott – Before salvation one was confined under the law, after salvation one is justified by faith through Jesus. Only Christ can liberate us from the bondage of prison and declare us innocent, and no longer worthy of punishment.

Longenecker – The ultimate purpose of the law is to bring people to Christ that they may be justified by faith.


Word Application

The Old Testament system of the law and sacrifices served to educate one regarding precisely what sin was, however the Old Testament system of sacrifices was not sufficient to redeem humanity from the bondage of sin. The only way humanity was going to be redeemed from the bondage of sin was for a perfect human being to die in the place of all of humanity. That was God’s plan that was perfectly fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus did not deflect God’s wrath regarding sin, or perform an act which would have the wrath set aside, rather Jesus bore the full brunt of God’s wrath regarding our sin so that the guilty penalty would be perfectly fulfilled, resulting in God therefore being able to see those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior as innocent, and the penalty for guilt has been paid. This is the essential meaning of justification. God is a Holy God who cannot simply ignore the sin, or pretend that it does not exist, as this would be to deny His own character. Rather, God provides the atonement for humanity’s sin which humanity cannot provide for one’s self so that when one accepts the gift of that atonement God can look upon that person as being justified. In this case to be justified that one is once again in a proper relationship with God, and that God views that person as being righteous and innocent.

Word Studies - Part 11

Colossians 1:13-14 – He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (NKJV)

Strong’s # 629 apolytrosis (ap-ol-oo’-tro-sis)


Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – compound of “apo” which means off or away, and “lutron” which means something to loosen with; ransomed in full, deliverance, redemption

Vine’s – a releasing, for payment on a ransom, deliverance, forgiveness and justification

Word Study (NT) – to let go free for a ransom, to redeem, recalling sinners from the captivity of sin through the payment offered by Christ Jesus, deliverance from sin.

Analytical Greek Lexicon – to dismiss for a ransom paid, redemption, a deliverance purchased by the payment of a ransom, deliverance

Thayer – to redeem on by paying price, redemption, deliverance, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom

NASB Greek – redemption, release, release effected by payment of ransom

NIV Greek – redemption, ransom, release

NIDNTT – redemption, deliverance, release, release secured by payment of ransom, redeeming


Translations

KJV – Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

NASB95 – For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

ESV – He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

NLT – For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

AMP – [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.

NIV – For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

MSG – God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

NRSV – He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Darby – who has delivered us from the authority of darkness, and translated [us] into the kingdom of the Son of his love: in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins

Young’s – who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate [us] into the reign of the Son of His love, in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of the sins


Commentaries

Wesley – Through His crucifixion and death, Jesus Christ, by His own voluntary actions, appeased the wrath of the Father regarding the sins of humanity and therefore eliminated any power that Satan has through sin of those who call on the name of the Lord. While forgiveness is the beginning of the redemption that Jesus secured for all who come to Him, the resurrection is the completion of it.

Barnes’ – Believers receive forgiveness, or redemption, through the blood of Christ that was shed in His death, but this verse does not limit that as being the only gift received through the blood of Christ.

Clarke – Jesus paid for the redemption of the sins of humanity with His own blood that for those who accept the gift Jesus offers they will experience the cancellation of their sins, and be made fit to join the saints of light in partaking in the inheritance that is for all believers.

McGee – God saw His children enslaved in sin, dead in trespasses, and held captive in the kingdom of Satan. Jesus Christ paid the price with His own blood to redeem God’s children out of this captivity so that all God’s children may reside in His kingdom. This ransom is available for all who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Expositor’s – Jesus liberated the saints from the dominion of darkness by paying the ransom with His blood. Additionally, the captives who have been ransomed are made citizens in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.

Life Application – It is only because of the sacrifice of Jesus that redeems one from sin that one is qualified to share in the same inheritance of the saints of light. Jesus redeems or buys back, or saves from captivity by paying the ransom owed due to the enslavement of sin with His own blood as only He was able to pay the tremendous price for sin.

Barclay – It is the redemption that Jesus offers that allows one to move from slavery to freedom, and from condemnation to forgiveness. Jesus’ payment of ransom also moves one from being under the power of Satan to being under the power of God.


Word Application

Humanity is incapable of doing anything on its own to release itself from the bondage of sin. If this statement were not true, then the sacrificial system would have worked indefinitely, or man would have been able to provide an alternate method that would release humanity from the bondage of sin. As this was not the case, it was completely dependant upon God to provide a way for humanity to be redeemed from the bondage of sin under which it has been since the Fall in the Garden of Eden.
Only God could pay the ransom would free His children from the power and bondage of sin, and Jesus paid that price on the cross. This payment is sufficient for all who confess faith in Christ, and for all the sins committed. There is no sin that is too terrible to be paid for by the price that Jesus paid. Therefore, if one wants to be redeemed from sin, one only has to call upon the saving name of Jesus.

Word Studies - Part 12

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
(NKJV)

Strong’s # 1567 ekzeteo (ek-zay-teh´-o)


Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – to search out, to investigate, crave, demand, worship; to enquire, seek after (carefully, diligently)

Vine’s – to seek out or search for, to search diligently, to require or demand

Word Study (NT) – to seek out, or search diligently for anything that has been lost, to seek in order to obtain, to seek after God in a sincere desire to obtain His favor

Analytical Greek Lexicon – to seek out, to investigate diligently, to scrutinize, to ask for, to seek earnestly after

Thayer – to seek out, to search for, to investigate, to scrutinize

NASB Greek – seek out, demand, enquire

NIV Greek – seek out, seek earnestly

NIDNTT – seek, search for, seek after, strive for


Translations

KJV – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

NASB95 – And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

ESV – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

NLT – So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

AMP – But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

NIV – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

MSG – It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

NRSV – And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Darby -- But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]. For he that draws near to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them who seek him out.

Young’s – and apart from faith it is impossible to please well, for it behoveth him who is coming to God to believe that He is, and to those seeking Him He becometh a rewarder.


Commentaries

Wesley – The Lord is sought through prayer, worship, and the study of scriptures. One must seek for the Lord in an attitude of trust and faith.

Barnes’ – Unless one believes that God will hear one’s prayers, and has faith that He exists there is no reason to seek out God or to call on Him. One cannot approach or seek deliberately what one does not believe exists.

Clarke – One truly seeking the Lord seeks out of faith, not for the recognition of any one else. This person is honest and transparent in worship to the Lord and understands that one can only please God through faith.

McGee – The honest heart seeking God finds the gift of His salvation.

Expositor’s – To earnestly seek God one must believe that God exists, and that He really does care. Also, there is an implication in this passage of seeking God through worship.

Life Application – To honestly seek God requires that one act in faith, and on the knowledge that God has revealed, all the knowledge regarding God that one possesses. When one finds God, one must devote oneself wholeheartedly to God, and continue seeking more of Him.

Barclay – In searching for God one must be completely convinced not only of God’s existence, but also that He cares for humanity and is actively involved in situations that humanity finds itself in. Jesus Christ Himself came to earth to reveal to humanity just how much He loves.

Pink – One cannot truly seek God until one is aware of one’s sinful condition, and the need for a Savior, and this knowledge comes as the Holy Spirit works in on one’s heart before salvation. To seek God one must seek Him in faith, with a firm belief of His existence and generosity, and that God has revealed Himself in His Word, in His interaction with Humanity, in His creation or His Works, and in Jesus Christ. Additionally, God must be sought for who He really is, and not who the seeker wants Him to be.


Word Application

One cannot find the Lord unless one diligently seeks Him. Unfortunately, many seek more diligently for a new holiday outfit than for the Lord. Anything or anyone else we seek other than the Lord only results in temporary pleasure and satisfaction. It is only the search for the Lord that provides a lasting satisfaction that results in eternal life, and a relationship with the Almighty God.
Searching for God can be compared to a detective searching for a solution to the case, or a doctor searching for a cure for the disease as both the detective and the doctor will search with focus, determination, and will not give up the search until the answer is found. A believer may follow this determined example by searching for the Lord through prayer, worship, and Bible study until He is found. The key difference between the detective, the doctor, and the believer is that while the detective and doctor will stop when the answer is found, the believer will continue to search for more of the Lord resulting in a life-long search.

Word Study - Bibliography

Here are all the references that I used directly for these Word Studies. While I did read many other commentaries, I only used the ones that brought a new light to my studies or reinforced an idea that I felt was important.

For those of you wondering, I did very well in the class.



BIBLIOGRAPHY




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The Amplified Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1987.
Barclay, William. The Gospel of John. 2 vols. Vol. 2, The New Daily Study Bible. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.
———. The Letter to the Galatians and Ephesians. Revised ed, The Daily Study Bible Series. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976.
———. The Letter to the Hebrews. Revised ed, The Daily Study Bible Series. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976.
———. The Letter to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Revised ed, The Daily Study Bible Series. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1975.
———. The Letter to the Romans. Revised ed, The Daily Study Bible Series. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1975.
Barnes, William Emery. The Book of Chronicles with Maps, Notes, and Introduction. Edited by A. F. Kirkpatrick, The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Glasgow, Great Britain: Cambridge University Press, 1899.
Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Altamonte Springs, Florida: Oak Tree Software, Inc, 2004.
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Barton, Bruce B., Linda K. Taylor, David R. Veerman, and Neil Wilson. Galatians. Edited by Grant Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1994.
Barton, Bruce B., David R. Veerman, and Linda K. Taylor. Hebrews. Edited by Grant Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1997.
Barton, Bruce B., David R. Veerman, and Neil Wilson. Romans. Edited by Grant Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1992.
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Wilcock, Michael. The Message of Psalms 1-72. Edited by J. A. Motyer, The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter Varsity Press, 2001.
Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible. Altamonte Springs, Florida: Oak Tree Software, Inc., 2004.
Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, Word Study Series. Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992.