November 9 is World Adoption Day. Is there a Christian view of child adoption? What does the Bible say about it? Old Testament Passages Relating to Child Adoption What Old Testament passages mention or at least hint at the subject of child adoption? He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the stranger by giving him food and clothing (Deuteronomy 10:18). A friend to the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God... Read more
In Galatians 4, Paul contrasts our status as children of God with “the weak and worthless world system” that enslaves us. What does he mean? Scripture: Job, chapter 30; Psalm 120; Galatians, chapters 3-4 Galatians 3:26 – 4:9 (CEB): You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female,... Read more
We live in the “Information Age” – we can find out anything on the internet with the click of a button. But where can wisdom be found? With God! Scripture: Job, chapters 28-29; Galatians, chapters 1-2 Job 28:12-28 (CEB): But wisdom, where can it be found; where is the place of understanding? Humankind doesn’t know its value; it isn’t found in the land of the living. The Deep says, “It’s not with me”; the Sea says, “Not alongside me!” It... Read more
Who can understand God? God is infinite, all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present? The things we see are “only the outer fringe of His ways” (Job 26:14). Scripture: Job, chapters 26-27; Mark, chapters 15-16 Job 26:5-14 (CEB): The dead writhe, the inhabitants beneath the waters as well. The grave is naked before God; the underworld lacks covering. He stretched the North over chaos, hung earth over nothing; wrapped up water in his clouds, yet they didn’t burst out below; hid the face... Read more
Our country is probably more divided than it’s ever been. Campaigns seem to emphasize an “us vs. them” mentality. What part can Christian faith play in mending our divisions over elections? Mending Our Divisions: Personal Aspects of Faith How can our faith help us personally to move beyond the negative emotions that election season engenders? First, we need to keep our priorities straight. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges us to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness... Read more
Mark 6 tells us that Herod respected John the Baptist – but he still had him beheaded. God calls us not just to “respect” Him, but to obey. Scripture: Job, chapter 21; Mark, chapters 5-6 Mark 6:14-29 (CEB): Herod the king heard about these things, because the name of Jesus had become well-known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and this is why miraculous powers are at work through him.” Others were saying, “He... Read more
Jesus warned us that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). How can Christians navigate the political world while continuing to serve God? Scripture: Job, chapter 20; Mark, chapters 3-4 Mark 3:1-6 (CEB): Jesus returned to the synagogue. A man with a withered hand was there. Wanting to bring charges against Jesus, they were watching Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Step up where people... Read more
The heart of the Gospel is the message of grace. In Acts 13, Paul declares this message to Jews and Gentiles alike: we can be in right relationship with God through belief in Jesus! Scripture: Job, chapters 9-10; Acts, chapters 13-14 Acts 13:38-47 (CEB): “Therefore, brothers and sisters, know this: Through Jesus we proclaim forgiveness of sins to you. From all those sins from which you couldn’t be put in right relationship with God through Moses’ Law, through Jesus everyone... Read more
In Acts 8, Philip shares the good news with an Ethiopian official by “starting with that passage.” What can we learn from this encounter? Scripture: Job, chapters 3-4; Acts, chapters 8-9 Acts 8:26-39 (CEB): An angel from the Lord spoke to Philip, “At noon, take the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) So he did. Meanwhile, an Ethiopian man was on his way home from Jerusalem, where he had come to worship. He was... Read more
Nehemiah recognized that the gracious power of God was with him. How do we recognize God’s power at work? How do we cooperate with God’s work? Scripture: Nehemiah, chapters 1-2; Psalms 133 and 134; Luke, chapter 22 Nehemiah 2:1-8 (CEB): In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, the king was about to be served wine. I took the wine and gave it to the king. Since I had never seemed sad in his presence, the king... Read more
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