The Danger of Listening to People More Than to God March 23, 2017 Year A 1 Samuel 15:10-21 Have you ever tried to listen to God and actually knew for sure what He wanted you to do? How can you tell if you are being obedient to God’s desire? How do you know if you have done wrong or right by God? The first responsibility for church leadership is to listen to God and not the people. Ignoring this responsibility... Read more
Ecclesiastes 5:1-9 How to Relate to God and the Government I was always told that in polite company, one should never talk about politics or religion. In Ecclesiastes 5:1-9, Solomon talks about both. First, he talks about how we should relate to God and then Solomon will give us an insider’s view of government. It’s clear that Solomon respects God. You can see that by the advice gives us. He shares three different ways to relate to God: HOW TO... Read more
Not Too Little, Not Too Much, It’s Just Right March 17, 2017 Year A Exodus 16:9-21 Do you remember the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears? A little enters a house and tests every comfort. First, she enters the dining room.She tastes the meal at the table. She tests and discovers that one plate is too hot, another is too cold, and the final one plate is just right. She moves to the living room and tests the seating... Read more
Psalm 121:1-8 My Help My dad has a farm where he raises cattle. At various times he employs people to help him with the work. Just like many other farmers in the area, he hires “the help” to assist in doing the work. The farmer may not get all of the work done in time and so he needs help. Perhaps the job takes more than one person to accomplish. So the farmer hires the help to get things done.... Read more
Rules for Revolutionaries by Becky Bond and Zack Exley Rules for Revolutionaries by Becky Bond and Zack Exley is a book that describes how big organizing can be used to change everything. Here is a list of the “the rules” which also happen to be the title of each chapter in the book. 1. You Won’t Get a Revolution If You Don’t Ask for One 2. The Revolution Will Not Be Handed to You on a Silver Platter 3. The... Read more
There Is None Like You…For Me March 10, 2017 Year A Micah 7:18-20 There is a praise and worship song from the late twentieth century by Lenny LeBlanc entitled “There Is None Like You.” This section of Micah reminds me of that song. In the song, the writer reflects on the fact that there is no God like God. No one can do the things that You do. I could search for all eternity long and find, There is none... Read more
The God of Repetitive Grace March 8, 2017 Year A Exodus 34:1-9 Moses broke the first tablets. So God lets Moses bring another set of tablets to write the commandments again. Why is this important? Because God is a compassionate and gracious God (Exodus 34:6). He says that about Himself. He proved it by allowing Moses a chance to write the commandments again after breaking the first stones. When we break the commandments, God is gracious enough to maintain faithful... Read more
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 Under the Sun: The Danger of Living Like the World Solomon describes problematic human behaviors that contribute significantly to the heavy burden of life under the sun (see for example Ecclesiastes 1:13–14), and these examples make it clear that human dysfunction plays a significant role in the struggles that characterize life.1 Here, the Preacher reveals the danger of living like the world. He observes five characteristics of the world’s system that people depend upon for worldly success. FIVE... Read more
The Sin of Jealousy for God’s Love March 7, 2017 Year A Genesis 4:1-16 Here we have the story of two brothers – Cain and Abel. Cain is the older brother of Abel (Genesis 4:1-2). Abel became a shepherd and Cain became a farmer. At some time, they came to present their offerings to God from what they had produced. God had “regard” for Abel and his offering. But He did not have “regard” for Cain and his offering (Genesis... Read more
Matthew 4:1-11 My Devotion The magazine Discipleship Journal asked its readers to rank the areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them. The results came back in this order: 1. Materialism 2. Pride 3. Self-centeredness 4. Laziness 5. (Tie) Anger/Bitterness and Sexual lust 6. Envy 7. Gluttony 8. Lying The respondents also noted that temptations were more potent when they had neglected their time with God (81 percent) and when they were physically tired (57 percent). Resisting temptation was accomplished by... Read more
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