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Posts tagged Christian
Promises – Micah 4 (Week 2
We are in the middle of Micah’s second sermon. For continuity … begin your reading today with Micah 3 and then focus intently as you read Micah 4.
When we began this study, I asked you to be sure that you looked for “grace” … for “hope” … for “redemption”. While God disciplines and judges sin and rebellion, He never leaves His people without hope and promises of life again aligned with Him. Chapters 4 and 5 beautifully, poetically point hearers to that hope.
Remember that Isaiah was a contemporary of Micah. You can observe the closeness of their messages by More >
His Word Lasts FOREVER!
In Matthew 24:35, Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
Many people work really hard to preserve the earth. They dedicate their lives to it. They are even willing to die for it. There is nothing wrong being environmentally friendly, but as we have seen, there are some extremists. However, according to God, the earth will eventually pass away. It will not be here forever. For many, that is a hard fact to swallow. If we look around us carefully, apart from how we destroy the earth ourselves, there have been More >
By Their Fruits
In Matthew 7:16, Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”
You will know them by their fruits. You will know them by their fruits. You will know them by their fruits! Why do I keep repeating this? I want this statement to make it into the deepest parts our mind, body, spirit, and soul. Notice Jesus didn’t say we will know them by the cross they wear on their neck, how many times they can reference God in their dialogue, or just saying they believe in God while promoting death. He More >
God’s Protection Plan
In Matthew 24:34, Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”
As we can see, many nations from long ago are non-existent today. However, the nation of Israel, specifically called by God to be His own people, has been preserved through the ages. There is no doubt that they have faced the worse persecution of any nation that ever existed. Their preservation is truly a miracle. As much persecution and attempted extermination as if they were worthless insects or rodents, just for the mere fact of being chosen More >
About Eternal Life (Matthew 19
Someone comes to Jesus with a question … and our reading today is Jesus’ response as well as further clarification for his disciples. If you have been “in church” for some time, this will be a familiar encounter. Don’t allow that familiarity to cause you to skim through the passage. Read it … thoughtfully … again …
Let’s make some observations that allow us to apply this encounter to our own lives and experiences.
Observation #1: This man coming with the question came from a legalistic mindset. What must I DO? In other words, what actions or rules must I More >
Micah’s 2nd Sermon Begins (Week 2
Our work this week will cover Micah 3 – 5. These chapters record the second of his siren calls to Israel and Judah. It begins like the first sermon … “hear” or “listen” … so let’s do just that!
Read Micah 3. As you read, identify the primary “who” that Micah speaks to. Also, notice the places where the word “justice” is used and what Micah says about it. Then come back …
One reminder … as we stop with the chapter break at the end of Chapter 3, we are stopping in the middle of a sermon. I don’t More >
Keeping Our Eyes Open
In Matthew 24:32-33, Jesus says, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!”
Jesus uses practical examples to teach everyone who is one of His disciples. While some of us may not necessarily know exactly how a fig tree looks, we do have a variety of fruit trees that grow around us. As the summer gets closer, we see the fruits beginning to grow. Our trees flourish with More >
Children, Jesus & Touch (Matthew 19
Remember, we are reading chapter 19 with our eyes on the disciples … watching to see if we are like them. Today our reading is quite brief, just 3 little verses … but perhaps one of the loveliest scenes in all of scripture. Therefore, I would love for you to just go slow with it. Observe each person or groups of people … look for yourself. Watch Jesus.
Lord, help us each be more diligent to bring our little ones, our children and our grandchildren, to you.
Lord, help us know what matters and what is of lesser importance. It is More >
Beware
In Matthew 7:15, Jesus says, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
The warning of false prophets is taught throughout all scripture. It is probably the most talked about subject of the New Testament after the person of Christ and what He has done for us. The Old Testament is pretty heavy on the warnings of false prophets and teachers as well. Why is this such a central topic throughout scripture? Simply because Satan knows how much easier it is to divide from within rather than to destroy from the outside. We have More >
Lord! Have Mercy? – Part I
How many times do we pray for God to have mercy on someone’s soul? Many times being in a tough position, we will cry out, “Lord! Have mercy!” This phrase came to mind the other day and I thought of Jonah’s description of God. In Jonah 4:2, Jonah is angry at God for being merciful to Nineveh (the place which he despised), and described God as “a gracious and compassionate (or merciful) God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.” What a beautiful description of God!
Why do we think we have to beg God to More >
