risingwiththeson

Beware of the Thief!

“All our livestock must go with us, too; not a hoof can be left behind. We must choose our sacrifices for the LORD our God from among these animals. And we won’t know how we are to worship the LORD until we get there.” (Exodus 10:26 NLT) Pharaoh had a problem letting the Hebrews go,ContinueContinue reading “Beware of the Thief!”

Get Rid of the Complaint Box

And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. (Numbers 11:1 ESV) Some classrooms have a complaint box where students can place their complaintsContinueContinue reading “Get Rid of the Complaint Box”

The Nazarite

The LORD told Moses to say to the people of Israel: If any of you want to dedicate yourself to me by vowing to become a Nazirite, you must no longer drink any wine or beer or use any kind of vinegar. Don’t drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins—not even the seeds orContinueContinue reading “The Nazarite”

Never Stop Believing and Expecting

Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned thatContinueContinue reading “Never Stop Believing and Expecting”

Given From Heaven

To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.” (John 3:27 NIV) A family member is very fond of this verse. According to her, John the Baptist didn’t preach much, but what he said that one time is noteworthy. When his disciples came to him and reported that JesusContinueContinue reading “Given From Heaven”

I Found the One

I have found the one my soul loves. (Song of Solomon 3:4) When you’re single (never been married), your family and friends follow you closely on social media nowadays, waiting for the day you announce that you’ve found “the one.” They’re all interested to find out just who that special one is. But if you’veContinueContinue reading “I Found the One”

Satisfied At Last

The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” (John 4:28-29 NLT) In Biblical times the well was a place where men met their potential wives (e.g., Jacob andContinueContinue reading “Satisfied At Last”

Rise Again with Gratitude

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV) This year has no doubt been hard on all of us. Not many of us will be quick to heed Paul’s exhortation in today’s passage to “give thanks,” let alone “in all circumstances.” But if you’reContinueContinue reading “Rise Again with Gratitude”

You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide

But Jonah ran away to Tarshish to escape from the presence of the LORD [and his duty as His prophet]. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish [the most remote of the Phoenician trading cities]. So he paid the fare and went down into the ship to go with themContinueContinue reading “You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide”

I AM…

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say toContinueContinue reading “I AM…”