Was God Unfair to Balaam?
The Lord told Balaam to go with the Moabite princes and, when he went, God was angry with him. Do you wonder if God was unfair to Balaam?...
Keep ReadingMiracle in the Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel shows us the stunning contrast of spiritual death and God's power. His life-giving power overcomes even hopeless death....
Learning to Relish Isaiah
Isaiah challenges us, but we can learn to relish this prophecy. Here's why and how to glean much from the prophet Jesus quoted frequently....
Luke: the unlikely gospel writer
If we consider that the writer of the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles was not Jewish but a Gentile and not a fisherman but a physician who never met Jesus in person (Colossians 4:14), we might expect his gospel to have a somewhat different flavor from the others. Our expectations will not be disappointed...
When Kingdoms Fall
Kingdoms fall. So what should we do? Wring our hands and weep? It happened to Israel and Judah. What can we learn from their history?...
Learning Contentment; Awaiting Glory
Our readings this week show that nothing in this world will ever completely satisfy us. But there is One who does fill our souls....
Good Lessons from Bad Kingdoms
Ever wonder why we read about the failed kings of Israel and Judah? Are there good lessons from bad kingdoms? Yes, indeed! Read on and see....
The Joy of Being in Christ
It is hard to exaggerate all the joy of life in Christ. Do you know what it means to be in Him? This theme runs through Paul's letters....
Reflections on Reading Poetry and Proverbs
Mary and I recently took a drive through a scenic part of our rural Virginia county on a beautiful late Spring afternoon. We drove as slowly as was prudent in order to drink in the sights and smells of newly mowed hay fields, wildflowers and honeysuckle, cows and calves, sheep and goats, rolling hills and mountain peaks....
David as King
The Bible gives us a rather in depth look at the life of David. We are fortunate in this because there are many great lessons to learn from one whose life would otherwise be an enigma....
Emotions and the Imago Dei
Our emotions can be troublesome leading us down paths we later regret, but should we attempt to escape them? Or can they be redeemed by God for a good purpose?...
Time Out
I hope you were able to complete our scheduled reading for last week in 1 Samuel 21-31 and Psalms 16-30....
God’s Providence in an Historic Moment
Many ask why certain occurrences happen. The Bible doesn't answer all our questions, but it does teach us what we need to know--that God is in control of the most personal details of human life as well as of the events at the highest levels of nations and empires....
When Leaders Fail
Does the failure of leaders in the Church prove that our faith is false? Today we meet leaders who failed and what God did about it....
Keep ReadingThe Fearsome Presence of God
God teaches His people repeatedly that He is both fearsome and trustworthy. Will we ever learn that though awesome He is for us who know Him through Christ?...
Keep ReadingGod’s Providence: it's a mystery
The providence of God is evident, but is not predictable nor understandable, not fully. Can we live with the mystery by faith?...
Keep ReadingBelief or Unbelief: that is the question
Unbelief laughs, scorns, ridicules, and trembles. But unbelief can be overcome by a clear-eyed look at God, His power, and His promises....
Keep ReadingGod’s Glory in Christ’s Power
God's glory shines when His Son, Jesus, saves enslaved sinners, delivering, healing, and sending them to be His witnesses to other enslaved sinners....
Keep ReadingThe God who Quiets Terrified Sinners
God makes Himself known for His mercy and His power. Have you seen how He quiets you in the midst of life's storms and chaos?...
Keep ReadingBear Fruit and Be Blessed
God wills that His people be blessed and flourishing. But God’s blessings depend on something else, something for which we are responsible....
Keep ReadingEternal Family Ties
Does your human family have problems? Rejoice, if you have been adopted into the Father’s family by the new birth, you are tied eternally to Jesus Christ....
Keep ReadingIs there a secret to the number twelve?
The Bible mentions the number twelve often. Can we know why? Or should we praise God for His wisdom not yet fully revealed?...
Keep ReadingDoes Sin Make Us Sick?
Do you wonder if sickness is divine punishment for sin? One man came to Christ for healing, but discovered He gives something even better....
Keep ReadingRedeemed to Be His Friends
In Jesus Christ there is true freedom to be His servant. Yet not only His servant but His friend. He redeems us to be His friends....
Keep ReadingTime and Timing
What would life be without time? Surely we cannot imagine it. Time is a good gift of God to us. He works in time fulfilling His plans in His perfect timing....
Keep ReadingMissions: Going in Christ’s Name
Missions are about making God's name known and hallowed in every nation of the world. We must pray, send, give and go till Christ returns....
Keep ReadingJesus' Claims: True or False?
Truth is essential. The claims of Jesus Christ rest in actual historical events, not merely philosophical theory. If true, how can they be ignored?...
Keep ReadingThe Anguish of Guilt
What do we do with our guilt? It torments sensitive souls, but Jesus Christ died that whoever believes in Him should be forgiven and cleansed of all guilt....
Keep ReadingDepth of Sin; Pervasiveness of Corruption
The sin and corruption in apparently godly people can shock us. How can we regular people escape? The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the answer....
Keep ReadingSpiritual Oblivion
You don't know what you don't know. That's oblivion. The disciples of Jesus suffered from it but great is the love of Christ....
Keep ReadingDeath at Church
Does God care how we worship Him? Two priests once believed He does not. The result was death. Death at church. Find out more in today's post....
Keep ReadingThe Gift Acceptable to God
What can we, mere humans, give to God? There is nothing that He needs, but there is something He wants from us. Something He finds acceptable and holy....
Keep ReadingDo Jesus' Parables Teach Salvation by Works?
In light of Jesus' parables, we might wonder if He is teaching that we are saved by our own merits. Did Jesus teach salvation by works?...
Keep ReadingCan We Please God?
God is not a capricious tyrant. His commands are good, He provides a sacrifice for our sins. And He is pleased with us when we believe Him....
Keep ReadingThe Temple Destroyed
It's painful to think of a great building being destroyed. But when the temple which is destroyed is Jesus Christ the result is resurrection and life....
Keep ReadingDon’t Miss the Point
God gave Israel a visible structure intended to portray the gospel of Jesus Christ. So when the Lord came how could they miss the point entirely?...
Keep ReadingTwo Keys to Blessing too Often Missing
Two qualities bring blessing to Christians but are often in short supply. Today's readings give us good and bad examples of these qualities....
Keep ReadingTrue Worship of the True God
Many worship practices are justified because “they work.” But do they truly honor God? Do they conform to what God says in His word?...
Keep ReadingHow to be properly dressed for heaven
God calls us to His fellowship, but we may not come in our natural state. We must be dressed properly. But when we are we may enjoy Him forever....
Keep ReadingAuthority Abused
The chief priests and elders pretended concern about Jesus’ authority, but what was their true motivation?...
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