Always Promoting the Father December 20, 2014 Year B The Angel of the Lord said to him, “If I stay, I won’t eat your food. But if you want to prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord.” For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the Lord. (Judges 13:19, HCSB) The parents of the future judge Samson were instructed by The Angel of the Lord (another name for the preincarnate Christ) about how the boy would... Read more
Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro is an excellent book for pastors who have experienced burnout. Using personal experience from his own burnout, Cordeiro shares many truths which can help a pastor mend and get back into ministry. Cordeiro begins by sharing examples of people who experienced burnout in the Bible. Moses and Elijah are the guides which he uses to explain how burnout can happen. He continues by sharing the stories... Read more
Worship Jealousy December 19, 2014 Year B As the ark of the Lord was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart. (2 Samuel 6:16, HCSB) Why would Saul’s daughter be jealous? She was Saul’s daughter, so perhaps she still wanted her father as the king. Perhaps she didn’t like how David was dressed. I personally think that Micah... Read more
Irreverence in Worship December 18, 2014 Year B Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God. (2 Samuel 6:7, HCSB) When I was a Boy Scout, I learned the Scout Law: A Scout is: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. That last word – reverent – was a quality associated with my worship to... Read more
Perseverance of the Saints December 17, 2014 Year B Psalm 125:1-5 “Those who trust in the Lord” – saints, believers, those who follow Jesus, are the ones who are addressed in this psalm. In (Psalm 125:1), they are compared to Mount Zion. Mount Zion (in Jerusalem) isn’t going anywhere. The saints are going to remain. The psalmist states that the saints will persevere. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, God will surround and protect His people (Psalm 125:2). To make sure... Read more
His Love Is Eternal December 16, 2014 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love is eternal.” (Psalm 136:1, HCSB) HIS The Person of Whom this psalm speaks is God. Twenty-six times the psalmist repeats the phrase: “His love is eternal.” He begins by asking people to give thanks to God. There are all kinds of reasons to be thankful. These reasons are listed throughout the psalm. Each of these reasons are personal examples in which God... Read more
Trusting New People Who God Uses December 16, 2014 Year B Elisha went out to the spring of water, threw salt in it, and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will death or unfruitfulness result from it.’ ” Therefore, the water remains healthy to this very day according to the word that Elisha spoke. (2 Kings 2:21-22, HCSB) The waters were unhealthy. It couldn’t be used for drinking or for irrigation for plants.... Read more
Resisting In The Evil Day December 15, 2014 Year B This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. (Ephesians 6:13, HCSB) Resisting in the evil day is the purpose of spiritual preparation. Paul relates to the believers in Ephesus the need for spiritual preparation. He uses the image of body armor to describe the parts to spiritual preparation. He... Read more
The Façade by Michael S. Heiser The Façade is the first volume in a series of what I would call Christian science fiction. The novel centers around a theologian who holds the key to a mysterious cover-up by the United States government and military of a future extra-terrestrial invasion. A consortium known as “The Group” have been preparing for this future time when these extraterrestrials would come to visit and join humanity. All the while, groups of people have been... Read more
Obeying God’s Messengers (Authority) December 14, 2014 Year B For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him, but you, when you saw it, didn’t even change your minds then and believe him. (Matthew 21:32, HCSB) Observation: This parable contrasts the kinds of people who do God’s will. The first son said NO to God’s will and then changed it to YES. The second son said YES to God’s... Read more
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