Posts from 2022 (Page 24)

                                       I think we all have had our experiences with procrastination.  Whether it’s putting off cleaning the refrigerator, putting off sending that card, or making that payment; we have all procrastinated more than our fair share. We know as Christians we should be on top of things and try our best at everything we do, but does that mean that procrastination is a sin?  In some cases, it can be!  Now let me clarify, I…

  DISCUSSION:                                 Ever since I was a little boy in Sunday School, I can remember my teachers drilling into my head the 10 Commandments.  If my teachers were so intent on me knowing these commandments from God, just think how intent the Jews were on teaching their children.   This was, and still is for the Jews, their covenant with God.  I bet you could randomly pull a Jewish child out of a crowd and they would…

  DISCUSSION:                                                 As the children of Israel departed from the land of Egypt and headed to the Promise Land, God provided for them His guidance.  God provided for them a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to “lead them along the way” (Exodus 13.21).  This cloud was to remain with them on their journey and would not depart from them (Exodus 13:22).  This was something that they could count on to be a part…

  DISCUSSION :                 As they walked up to the steps of the Upper Room, Jesus was aware of the importance of what was about to happen.  He had been a part of tons of Passover Feasts, but none of them were as important as this one; this one would be His last.  The disciples had all experienced Passover and were aware of its importance, but for Jesus this was different.  You see, the Disciples were only able to read…

  DISCUSSION:                                                        The Bible is very clear that one day our Lord will return to this world and reward those who have served him; but it is also clear that on that day the Lord will execute His wrath on the wicked (2 Thessalonians 1.5-11).    Whenever we read the New Testament about the wrath of God, we are reading about His judgment.  The wrath of God is not something that any of us…

  DISCUSSION:                                                       I hate excuses, but sadly that doesn’t stop me from making them.  In the story of Moses and the burning bush, Moses attempts to make excuses.   We might make excuses to our spouse, our parents, or even our teachers about our homework; it may not be right, but it is understandable.  But Moses made his excuse to God!  The all-knowing, all-powerful being in the universe and we cannot forget, Moses’ CREATOR!  What…

  DISCUSSION:                                        The first few chapters of Exodus are filled with information about the events leading up to the exodus of the Hebrews from the land of Egypt.  To begin with, the Pharaoh that knew Joseph had died and a new Pharaoh had come to the throne not knowing of the greatness of Joseph and his God; this lead to a different viewpoint of the Jews.  The Jews had been so blessed by…

  DISCUSSION:                               In Genesis 48-50, Jacob has died and has been carried off to Macpelah to be buried with his ancestors.  Since Jacob has passed, the brothers of Joseph begin to fear that Joseph would now enact his revenge on them for selling him as a slave.  When confronted with their fears, Joseph’s statement must have really surprised them: “you meant evil against me, But God meant it for good ” (Genesis 50.20).  Joseph knew…

  DISCUSSION:                                                      You can almost feel the anxiety in the room as Jacob debates within himself what to do.  If he does nothing, he loses his son Simeon who is being held hostage in Egypt.  He also risks the entire fate of his family due to the famine.  If he says yes, he risks losing the only connection he has left of his beloved Rachel in their son Benjamin.   The famine has been severe, and they…

  DISCUSSION:                                               Isn’t this a sticky situation?  Here we have the ten brothers of Joseph coming to Egypt to buy food for their family due to the famine from none other than their brother Joseph.  The Bible tells us that even though they don’t recognize him, he recognized them.  In the process of meeting with them, he begins to question their intentions and toy with them and make them sweat.  It doesn’t take…

  DISCUSSION:                              ”      The Tribe of Judah is the most significant of all the tribes of Israel, because it is from this tribe that delivers the Messiah.  One would think that if the Bible recorded any story concerning the man from which this tribe originates, it would be one of strength, holiness and godliness.  That could not be further from the truth.  It doesn’t take long for us to see that Judah was a man…

  DISCUSSION:                           Bethel is often mentioned as a place that the Patriarchs would go and build an altar to God to offer sacrifices; it simply means the “House of God”.  Right before God changes Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis 35, Jacob is instructed by God to rise and go to Bethel and build an altar there to God.  Before Jacob goes, there are a few things that are necessary…