YOU HAVE KEPT THE GOOD WINE UNTIL NOW

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON John 2:1-12) The first miracle of Jesus, turning water to wine, a miracle where people discuss why Jesus called His mom “Woman,” saying “My hour has not yet come,” and discuss the Jewish custom of purification. There are even jokes told that the participants of the banquet were already so drunk, that they didn’t […]

CAN ANY GOOD THING COME OUT OF NAZARETH?

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON John 1:43-51) When Nathanael heard from Philip that they had found the Messiah—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, Nathanael responded, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” What did this mean? What was wrong with Nazareth, and what was wrong with the Messiah coming out of Nazareth? Nazareth was a small, rural […]

I DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON John 1:29-42) When John the Baptist saw Jesus in verse 29 he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” However, afterwards in verse 31 he said, “And I did not recognize Him, but so that He would be revealed to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” How […]

WHO ARE YOU? I AM THE VOICE

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON John 1:19-28) When John the Baptist, the one God called to baptize with a baptism of repentance appeared in the wilderness, the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” Was this just out of curiosity? No, it was actually an official investigation of this man, John […]

THE LOGOS IS GOD MAKING HIMSELF KNOWN

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON John 1:1-18) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 14 And […]

FEAR TO NOT FEAR

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 112:1-10) In Proverbs 9:10, we are told that, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” For the world to desire wisdom is normal, and perhaps even expected, however the source of wisdom doesn’t begin in the world, but it begins in the fear of […]

THE LORD SAYS TO MY LORD

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 110:1-7, Psalm 111:1-10) Psalm 110 is the single most quoted psalm in the New Testament. It is a very unique psalm speaking of the Messiah, a future descendant of David, which is mind-blowing if we believe that this is a psalm written by David as noted in the New Testament. David, wrote about […]

THE WOUNDED HEART

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 109:1-31) 22 For I am afflicted and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. 23 I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like the locust. 24 My knees are weak from fasting, and my flesh has grown lean, without fatness. 25 I also have become a […]

DELIVERANCE BY MAN IS IN VAIN

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 108:1-13) 12 Oh give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain. 13 Through God we will do valiantly, and it is He who shall tread down our adversaries. (New American Standard Bible, NASB) Who is our help in times of trouble? Who do we turn to when the […]

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HIS LOVINGKINDNESS [HESED]

by slpcenglish

(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 107:1-43) As we read through Psalm 107 (New American Standard Bible, NASB), we will notice a pattern of events. First, Israel is to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Then, trouble hits and we read over and over again about how Israel cried out to […]