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
Preparing the Way for Christmas December 14, 2014 Mark 1:1-8 Mark’s Gospel is the only Gospel without a description of the traditional Christmas story. However, Mark’s Gospel still shares a story about the birth of Jesus Christ. The point of view is from the messenger who tells people that someone special is coming to town. The opening starts with a prophecy from Malachi and Isaiah about the role of John the Baptist. The Old Testament predicted that a messenger would... Read more
Ego Versus Faith December 12, 2014 Year B Look, his ego is inflated; he is without integrity. But the righteous one will live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4, HCSB) Ego versus faith – this is the struggle in following Christ. Will I listen to myself or will I live by faith and listen to Christ? The world says that you are God. Thinking about yourself is the best for you. Look out for number one. God says here that people... Read more
Emotions of the Harvest December 11, 2014 Year B Psalm 126:5-6 Sowing and reaping. The process is a picture of the faithfulness of God. We have our work and God does His work. We sow and God reaps. Sometimes the sowing is a difficult work. We cry as we work the field of God. People don’t want to let the Seed enter their hearts. People don’t want the fruitfulness of God in their lives. We see people. We talk to them,... Read more
Act and Being by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Act and Being by Dietrich Bonhoeffer defines its purpose with the subtitle: Transcendental Philosophy and Ontology in Systematic Theology. The purpose may be very complicated. However, Bonhoeffer shows us the purpose of the book with a summary outline of the book (31). Bonhoeffer addresses the interpretation of revelation in Scripture: “(1) in terms of act, (2) in terms of being, (3) interpretation of act and of being meet and are drawn together, is... Read more
Keep Me Dependent On You December 10, 2014 Year B You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. Isaiah 26:3 (HCSB) Observation: God is in the business of keeping things. He keeps my salvation secure. He keeps the world spinning. He keeps gravity working. He keeps time rolling. He also keeps my mind in perfect peace. Perfect peace means without stress. He keeps my mind focused on what He... Read more
His Gifts Come With Him December 9, 2014 Year B See, the Lord God comes with strength, and His power establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him. (Isaiah 40:10, HCSB) When a person comes with gifts, you know something good is going to happen. Santa comes with gifts and we are happy. He leaves gifts behind and we are glad that he brought them to us. Someone buys you a gift and you are... Read more
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