While I’ve always loved the story of the Exodus, I’ve come to appreciate it now more than ever. This story resembles our current crisis in so many ways that we’re able to identify with it thousands of years later. For anyone who says that the Bible is an ancient book that is irrelevant to usContinue reading "Lessons from the Exodus"
Coming to Our Senses
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you." (Luke 15:17-18 NIV) The wisest thingContinue reading "Coming to Our Senses"
Everything’s OK
Tell the righteous it will be well with them. (Isaiah 3:10 NIV) The children at church were all gladly singing "Jesus in My Life," when one of the older kids stopped to ask, "What if everything is not OK?" "Well, what does the song say?" the teacher asked. "Everything's Ok and everything's alright 'cos IContinue reading "Everything’s OK"
Identifying with the Offering
Lay your hand on the animal's head, and the LORD will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him. (Leviticus 1:4 NLT) By laying their hand on the head of the animal, the ancient Israelites identified themselves with the animal whose death would be accepted as atonement for them.Continue reading "Identifying with the Offering"
A Triumphant Life
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession. (2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV) Yesterday, Christians everywhere celebrated Palm Sunday, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I've heard it said that when a triumphant king returned from battle, he was welcomed the way Jesus was - with clothes and branches spread onContinue reading "A Triumphant Life"
Don’t Trust Anyone Except God
The next day the huge crowd that had arrived for the Feast heard that Jesus was entering Jerusalem. They broke off palm branches and went out to meet him. And they cheered: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God’s name! Yes! The King of Israel! (John 12:12-13 MSG) My brother-in-law has a hard timeContinue reading "Don’t Trust Anyone Except God"
Get Up!
Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again.Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. (Micah 7:8 NLT) As God’s prophet, Micah was allowed to foresee the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and its restoration. Even though the enemies in today’s passage are theContinue reading "Get Up!"
Double for Our Trouble
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the greatlocust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locustswarm—my great army that I sent among you.” (Joel 2:25 NIV) In response to Judah’s unfaithfulness, God sent a swarm of locusts to destroy the land for a number of years. However, with repentanceContinue reading "Double for Our Trouble"
Ready Access to God
Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to himContinue reading "Ready Access to God"
Let’s Point it Back
“Doom! It’s Doomsday! I’m as good as dead! Every word I’ve ever spoken is tainted blasphemous even! And the people I live with talk the same way, using words that corrupt and desecrate. And here I’ve looked God in the face! The King! GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies!” (Isaiah 6:5 MSG) We can spend our entire lives pointing theContinue reading "Let’s Point it Back"
Rising with the Son 