Obadiah and Jonah: Because Bitterness Divides but Forgiveness Unites Do you recall the story about a feud between the Hatfields and McCoys who harbored grudges spanning several years? They were led by a rogue clan member who refused to forgive. Read Obadiah with this tale and the Jacob/Esau story in mind. Just like the Hatfield/McCoy […]
Ezekiel 12-14 God had Ezekiel pantomime the end of Jerusalem to the captive elders in Babylon. Instead of watching and learning, the hardhearted exiles asked: “What are you doing?” God chose Ezekiel as an object lesson for them about their king, Jerusalem, and their Temple. The elders didn’t want to hear any of this, so […]
Ps 50-51 In Debt or Free? Our world offers temporary peace and security yet they seek to encroach more and more on our freedoms with rules upon rules. They offer temporary peace and security only to take it away in a panic. If we love this insecure world, we are not of God. [1John 2:16] […]
1Chron 21 Has anyone ever called you those words? David was genuinely being pig-headed as he sought, in pride, to take a census to determine how many soldiers he had. Wisely, General Joab came to remind him that this was a foolish decision and would be costly and time-consuming. But, David was determined, and he was, as […]
Deut 26-28, Matt 10:33 If you deny Me, I will deny you Across our world, we are seeing men flagrantly disobeying God’s commands. They are rattling their swords with words of what will be done in retaliation if you stand in their way. All of this is happening because the people of God have forsaken […]
Gen. 43-46 and Num. 32:23 How often is it that we sin and we think that God does not see? But, as Moses stated in Numbers to the Israelites: “you can be sure your sin will find you out.” [Num. 32:23] Translated it means that God will use whatever he has in his arsenal to […]
Acts 15 and 16 Is Circumcision required for salvation? The Jews, specifically the believing Pharisees, contended that for the Gentiles to be saved, they needed to be circumcised. Not so said Peter with his testimony about the salvation of Cornelius and his household. Paul agreed with him and expounded on it and will later write […]
As a history teacher and anointed with the Holy Spirit, Stephen relayed to the High Priest and the religious council the account of Israel. He reminded them that their ancestors hardened their hearts, and now they are in danger of doing the same thing! Stephen’s life is an example of what Jesus said would be […]
Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 21 We cannot read the shameful behavior of Peter without it resonating in our souls. How many times do we say “I won’t deny,” but then we do? We deny by our words, our mannerisms, and our choices. Jesus warned Peter that he would deny, but just like […]
Matt 26 and Mark 14 If you are a believer of the Word of God, you have come face to face with guilt, whether it is presumed or actual. Jesus had a sure-fire way of getting reactions to his statements, and these chapters prove that point. He stated that “I tell you the truth; one […]
