What responsibility do we have regarding the large crowds of people who are leaving the church in search of Jesus? Every week, many go to their last Sunday Morning Service. Isolated by being seated facing lots of people’s backs and one person’s face, if they are looking for fellowship, they just leave still lonely. If the preacher really is a […]
By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin. Although Potiphar’s wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her. When his master heard the story his wife […]
Some descendants of Korach wrote a love song that we have preserved as Psalm 45. The writer of the New Testament letter to the Hebrews quoted a couple of verses of it, and declared that Yahweh spoke them to Jesus, His Son. The next time someone doesn’t like your interpretation of some Scripture that you have received understanding about through […]
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says Yahweh: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children. I will feed those who oppress […]
Manna came every day. Free. Even if you weren’t thankful or had doubts. When the nation of Jacob’s descendants entered the land that Canaan’s descendants had been living in, the manna stopped. The invaders had to start harvesting what Canaanites had planted. Then they had to plant their own crops and raise animals and hunt. On any given day, Yahweh […]
In the United States, I see a small group of people who consider themselves to be Republicans and another small group of people who consider themselves to be Democrats. Between these bookends, I see a large group of people who are like a flock of birds. They dislike (some hate) both of the ruling parties. After 4 or 8 years […]
“Father, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” (Matthew 6) “If you don’t forgive others from the heart, you will be handed over to the tormentors. ” (Matthew 18) “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4) We have the same power to forgive […]
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’” (Matthew 19:21) Being pitiful (though rich), the rich young ruler didn’t see how the values in the Kingdom could be valuable to him. Good example of how difficult it is for the […]
When you are in a bank planning to do business with one of the tellers, a man with a gun suddenly appears and tells you to fall on your face. He wants everybody’s money. When he gets through the scattering of people to you, he points the gun at you, demanding your money. You give him your cards and cash, […]
You are a leader. Your preparation as a leader may not be complete yet, though. Your relationships with the people you lead may not be clearly defined yet, so that anyone could look on and see that you are leading them or someone else. Some people we are leading away from what we would like to lead them toward. Our […]