God Does the Impossible to Provide for People Who Need Him January 13, 2015 Year B “The poor and the needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, Yahweh, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the barren heights, and springs in the middle of the plains. I will turn the desert into a pool of water and dry land into springs of water.... Read more
Making God’s Fragrance to Get Worshippers Attention January 12, 2015 Year B As for the incense you are making, you must not make any for yourselves using its formula. It is to be regarded by you as sacred to the Lord. (Exodus 30:37, HCSB) Many people put on perfume to smell good in front of someone whom they care about. When a person puts on a fragrance, they are saying that they want the other person to notice them. Another... Read more
The First Good Thing January 11, 2015 Year B The first good thing… was that God created; that God created was light. Light was the first of many creative acts that God considered good. God in creating light from darkness separated good from evil. God made a separation in order to make something good. As quoted in Bonhoeffer’s work Creation and Fall for Genesis 1:4: That God’s work is good in no way means that the world is the best of... Read more
What Is The Outcry? January 10, 2015 In Genesis 18:20-21 and Genesis 19:13, God says that there is an outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah. “Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious. I will go down to see if what they have done justifies the cry that has come up to Me. If not, I will find out.”” (Genesis 18:20–21, HCSB) “for we are about to destroy this place because... Read more
The Seven Thunders of God January 10, 2015 Year B Psalm 29 1. The voice above the waters (29:3) 2.The voice of power (29:4) 3. The voice in splendor (29:4) 4. The voice shatters (29:5) 5. The voice flashes flames (29:7) 6. The voice shakes the wilderness (29:8) 7. The voice strips nature bare (29:9) The seven-fold thundering voice of God. These thunders are similar to the seven thunders in Revelation. “and he cried out with a loud voice like... Read more
Focus on Your Life and Your Teaching January 9, 2015 Year B 1 Timothy 4:16 Paul instructs Timothy to focus on two things: (1) his life and (2) the teaching of the Word. It is important as a pastor to have focus. Minds wander. Sin creeps in. Laziness can set in. So Paul instructs Timothy to keep it simple in his work. There is a benefit to focus. It sharpens your skill and it helps you accomplish more. It also... Read more
The Power of God’s Voice January 8, 2015 Year B Ascribe to Yahweh, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due His name; worship Yahweh in the splendor of His holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is above the waters. The God of glory thunders— the Lord, above vast waters, 4 the voice of the Lord in power, the voice of the Lord in splendor. 5 The voice of the... Read more
Christ Is More Important Than the Family Clan January 7, 2015 Matthew 10:32-39 It is a sin to put your family before the church. When Christ calls a person to acknowledge Him, He means that Christ has first place before everyone else. Christ is before my spouse, my children, my parents, my relatives, my friends, and my enemies. Why? Because Christ wants to place His family before my own. What will happen when I do? People who care more about... Read more
Suffering for God Versus Short-Lived Pleasure of Sin Suffering for God versus short-lived pleasure of sin is a simple thought lectionary reflection from Hebrews 11:24-26 on the life of Moses and how he honored God through suffering. January 7, 2015 Year B By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter 25 and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin. 26 For... Read more
Caravans of Praise January 6, 2015 Year B Caravans of camels will cover your land — young camels of Midian and Ephah— all of them will come from Sheba. They will carry gold and frankincense and proclaim the praises of the Lord. (Isaiah 60:6) Today is Three Kings Day. There were many people who came to see the baby Jesus. This verse prophecies that event. They came with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Two of those elements were prophecies hundreds of... Read more
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