Posts from March 2023 (Page 2)
“Be Happy With Who You Are”
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 8-10 It wasn’t that long ago that I was watching my usual morning show as I prepared myself for the day ahead, and they were doing a segment on the clothing celebrities were wearing to award shows. The host was stating that instead of paying thousands of dollars for a gown by Versace, Ralph Lauren or Gucci, you could put together a very similar outfit for only a few hundred dollars. Why is it that…
“My Ebenezer?”
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel Many of us have grown up going to worship services where we sang age-old songs that were brought down to us from many years ago. In those songs, we often sing words or phrases that might not retain a popularly understood sentiment. Yet, even though we might not understand what we are singing, that has not stopped many of us from following the song leader through misunderstood stanzas of our old favorites. One of the…
“A Synopsis of the Book of Ruth”
BIBLE READING: Ruth 1-4 Now, let me give you a quick synopsis of the Book of Ruth. To start out, a woman by the name of Naomi packed up and moved from Judah to Moab due to a terrible famine that was affecting her family. She and her husband moved there with their two sons, who eventually took wives while living in Moab. Tragically, Naomi lost her husband and two sons. Broken and empty, Naomi decided to move back…
“Doing the Right Thing, The Right Way”
BIBLE READING: Judges 19-21 One could rightly say, “What a mess, and what was a Levite priest doing with a concubine anyway?” The answer is that this is exactly what happens when no one follows God, and everyone does what is right in their own eyes. All the tribes of Israel came to the Benjamites in Gibeah and asked them to send out the men who had committed the crime against the Levite and his concubine. The law…
“Serving With All You Got”
BIBLE READING: Judges 16-18 “And they said to him, “Keep quiet; put your hand on your mouth and come with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?” And the priest’s heart was glad. He took the ephod and the household gods and the carved image and went along with the people.”-Judges…
“Bless Ibzan’s Heart”
BIBLE READING: Judges 12-15 I love children! I have committed a good part of my life to youth ministry and helping children to look to Jesus. I also love my own three children dearly. I pray for them often and do whatever I can to point them to Christ. Yet the speed of life has made our lives very difficult. It seems that most of my time is spent in transporting to sporting events, school activities, church activities…
“God Gives Us All Hope”
BIBLE READING: Judges 9-11 We all know someone who entered life with some sort of baggage. They may have been abandoned as a child, the product of a broken home, or maybe even someone who just constantly made bad decisions. Even though they might have a feeling of emptiness, worthlessness or even broken beyond repair, there is hope. If God’s word offers us anything, it is hope. Hope for the future (John 14.14). Hope that will never disappoint…
“Overwhelming Victory”
BIBLE READING: Judges 6-8 The story of Gideon is one of the most powerful examples of Gods power being shown through obedience. Just imagine a group of 300 men defeating an army of almost 150,000 without even having to lift a sword. It never fails; every time I read that verse “…every man stood in his place…”(Judges 6.21), I still get chills. Yet for all the power that is displayed in Judges 6 through Gideon and his…
“Israel’s Major Letdown”
BIBLE READING: Judges 1-3 Yesterday my alma mater had made it to the semifinals of the state girls basketball championship. Not being able to attend due to some previous commitments, I listened intently on the radio to cheer them on. As the game progressed, it seemed like our girls were going to advance into the final game as our lead grew to double digits. However, basketball is a game of swing of momentum and that is exactly what…
“As for Me and My House…”
BIBLE READING: Joshua 22-24 The book of Joshua ends with a very poignant and clear challenge to the nation of Israel that still has meaning for us today. Joshua knows that the days ahead for the nation will be difficult. He knows that there will be those that will continue to look outside of God’s command because of selfishness. He knows that in the days ahead it will be easy for them to be so caught up with…
“Refuge in Christ”
BIBLE READING: Joshua 19-21 In Joshua 20, the LORD tells Joshua to appoint certain cities in which an innocent person can find refuge against those who seek to avenge. It is very easy to understand the purpose of these cities in the ancient world, but do they have an application for us today? Throughout the Old Testament God has placed several things that have an allusion to New Testament principles, and these cities of Refuge are no exception. …
“Godley Influence”
BIBLE READING: Joshua 15-18 The springs mentioned here in Joshua 15 are still flowing today in the modern city of Debir, where 100s of gallons of water per minute pour from them. Since the area around Debir is dry and barren, the possession of the springs of water around them was important for crops and livestock. Embedded here we find a great story of Caleb’s positive influence of boldness on others. Caleb promised his daughter, Achsah, in marriage…