“ How is Your Plumb Line?”
DISCUSSION Do you know what a plumb line is? It’s a weighted string that hangs. The weight on the end of the string allows the pull of gravity to stretch a string straight down. It is considered to be a perfect vertical standard. If you’re setting up a wall of a house or fence posts for a fence, a plumb line can be crucial…
“Country Boy”
DISCUSSION Amos was an interesting “fella” (and yes, I use that term on purpose). You see, he was a country boy in every aspect; he was a “herdsman of Tekoa” (Amos 1:1) and describes himself as being “no prophet”, no “son of a prophet”, but a “sheep breeder and a tender of sycamore fruit.” (Amos 7:14 ) Here was this country boy sent to the BIG…
“THE EAGERNESS OF HORSHACK?”
DISCUSSION “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” -Isaiah 6:8 As a kid growing up in the seventies, I used to beg to stay up past my curfew to watch the sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter”. The show was based on a high school teacher who teaches a group of misfit kids who are growing…
“GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS”
DISCUSSION It must have been very frustrating to God, to watch His people turn their back on Him following idols. It must have just burned Him, to see the typical Israelite come and offer up his sacrifices to the Lord. Although the sacrifice was full of hypocrisy and sin, it still gave them a sense of accomplishment that they had done something good. If we know anything from our readings of the Bible, we…
“The Comeback Kid”
DISCUSSION Peter’s denial, Sarah’s doubt, Moses’s failure, David’s sin, and Jonah’s fleeing…all are great shortcomings in the Bible. But every one of these Bible “greats” had more than their lack of faith in common – they all had great comebacks after their fall. Jonah’s comeback starts with his prayer of penitence in chapter 2. Many times we think, “Oh I know the story of Jonah and the…
“The Value Of A Godly Example”
DISCUSSION A common theme from Kings, seem to have been something along the lines of this… “he did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed in the footsteps of his father”. These kings were only following the examples of those that went before them. The example we set for others is something that we must be constantly concerned about. It is important that we live lives that point others in the…
“A Little Leaven….”
DISCUSSION In the book of Galatians, Paul is surprised that the Christians in Galatia had already turned aside to a different doctrine. It seems that part of their problem had been they had allowed some false teacher to creep in and confuse them by saying that they had to adhere to specific aspects of the Mosaic Law; namely circumcision. As he finishes up his letter, he makes this statement in Galatians 5.9 “A…
“Jehu’s Vision Problem”
DISCUSSION What a great victory Jehu must have thought he had accomplished in destroying all the prophets of Baal along with their temple in 2 Kings 10.18-27. Not only did they destroy it, but the Bible said that they made it a “latrine” or “sewer”. I am sure this was an event that was spoken of for months and years after the fact and considered a great accomplishment. As it was a great…
“You Want Me To Do What…?”
DISCUSSION “You have got to be kidding me. You mean to tell me that if I go and dip myself in the Jordan River seven times, my leprosy will go away? You’re not even going to lay your hands on me, or touch me, or say abracadabra or nothing? Man, that is the craziest thing I have ever heard!” That might have been the way Naaman reacted if this happened today. Honestly, considering what…
“What Kind Of Reputation Do You Have?”
DISCUSSION In 2 Kings 1, Judah’s new king is Ahaziah. He has had some type of accident and has not been able to walk as a result. He sends messengers to inquire of Beelzebub (an idol) as to whether or not he will get better. As they are on their way, they meet a man from God who scolds them for inquiring of an idol over the LORD. As a result, he tells them that Ahaziah will die due…
“STAND FIRM, HOLD YOUR POSITION”
DISCUSSION Have you ever been in a situation where you feel powerless? It may be because of illness, tragedy or the actions of others against you. Whatever the case, you have no control over the situation. In 2 Chronicles 20, that is the way Jehoshaphat feels. The Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites have joined forces and are headed to attack the nation of Judah. The Bible says that King Jehoshaphat is afraid because he knows…
“HAVE YOU INQUIRED OF THE LORD?”
DISCUSSION In the final days of Ahab, King of Israel, he is faced with a battle against the King of Syria. In his estimation, he was not allowed to defeat them himself, so he solicits Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah to join him. Jehoshaphat agrees and unites with Ahab on one condition; that they inquire of the LORD first. Ahab agrees and calls in 400 prophets and asked them, “Should I go and…