Fear Touched by God

To come face to face with God, to hear His voice, is to come to terms with His power. In the Old Testament, an encounter with God struck fear and reverence with those who experienced His presence. Yet in the New Testament we have God born into flesh as Jesus, God among us. What was […]

Joining the Lineage of Jesus

In Ruth 4:6, a close relative of Naomi turns down the opportunity to redeem the land which belonged to their brother Elimelech. He tells Boaz, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it (NASB).” […]

Hiding Behind a Facade of Strength

They were confident in their own strength. Kings of their own domain. They used fear to motivate and intimidate people. These kings trusted in their own power and their armies, but it was all a facade that hid their own fear. They always knew deep in their soul that someday they would face God’s judgement. […]

God in the Ordinary — A Simple House

The magi sought the “King of the Jews,” traveling from the east to Jerusalem. They inquired about him in a great city, yet no one knew about him, not even the king. “Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born (Matthew […]

God in the Ordinary — A Feeding Trough

I grew up on a farm where we raised cattle. Everyday I would fill the feeding trough (manger) with hay or silage. Over time, the wood that formed the trough became worn from daily use. It smelled of cattle saliva as well as old hay and silage. I viewed that feeding trough in our barn […]

Yesterday Faith

There is one word that stands out to me in John 4:50-52. I highlighted it in bold letters: Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. […]

Where Righteousness Dwells

In our fallen world full of sinful behavior, it’s hard to picture a place where there is no crime; a place where someone’s word is trustworthy; a place with no need for locks; a place with no sickness, sorrow or death; a place full of righteousness. This is what the new Heaven and the new […]

Unified Divisions

When there are divisive issues in the church it can cause the body of Christ to become weak. Separate factions are not as strong as a church unified under the headship of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church becomes more vulnerable to attacks when divisions seek to fight battles on their own without the rest […]

One Choice

Can you imagine an ice cream shop that offers only one flavor? What would you do? Would you go inside? Then you learn that it is the best ice cream you’ll ever have — the most satisfying and fulfilling. So much so that you will never want another type again. Plus it won’t cost you […]