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"
A Story of Sacrifice
If you really think about it, the Bible is a story of sacrifice. There were animal sacrifices that people offered for their sin, but there were other sacrifices that were much harder to offer. As a test of faith, Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Hannah offered her son, Samuel, for theContinue reading "A Story of Sacrifice"
The Precious Blood of Jesus
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.(1 John 1:7 NIV) It wasn’t until a few years ago that I began to understand the true value of the blood of Jesus. IContinue reading "The Precious Blood of Jesus"
“An Age of Grace”
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! (Romans 6:14-15 NLT) Sadly, the ChristiansContinue reading "“An Age of Grace”"
Deceptive Appearances
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’Continue reading "Deceptive Appearances"
Who is Like the LORD?
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. (Micah 7:18 NIV) Micah’s name is an excellent reminder of a very good question, “Who is like the LORD?” In the conclusion to the wholeContinue reading "Who is Like the LORD?"
Rising with the Son 