In today’s reading from Genesis 21, Sarah, who was barren and struggled with infertility her entire life. Back then, there was a heavy social shame that came with having no kids; people often thought it was divine judgment. Suddenly, in her old age, she gives birth to Isaac at the very time God said it…
In today’s reading and studying of Genesis 19, the story of the destruction of Sodom is told. Earlier in chapter 18, God reveals to Abraham that their sin is so flagrant and in-your-face that it will be destroyed. The two Angels visit Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and decide to spend the night with him. After the…
God tells Abram that his name is El-Shaddai — God Almighty, which reminds me of my mom listening to that Amy Grant song in the 80’s. Then God makes a covenant with Abram and changes his name. The Mark of the Covenant was circumcision — Abraham and each male in his household had to be…
In Genesis 12, we learn about Abram. God tells him to leave everything he knows and move on. In verses 2 and 3, God tells him he will bless him, make him famous, and be a blessing to others. He says he will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. I…
Have you ever seen God? Reading Job 42, I love how Job says, I’d only heard about you before, but now I’ve seen you with my own eyes. Job experienced God, which led him to repent. This makes me wonder, do people see God through me? Do they experience Christ’s love through what they see,…
Several years ago, I was praying, and I felt like God was telling me to ‘follow the horse.’ Taking this literally, we have kept multiple horses, sometimes up to ten, primarily those from the racetrack. We aim to transform them into trail horses. This experience became a metaphor for my faith journey. As I worked…
We are in the middle of a severe snowstorm. As I waded out to feed the horses, the snow was up to my knees, which made me reflect on Job 37: 9, 10. ‘9The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold. 10God’s breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses…
The Walk to Emmaus The empty tomb! Jesus has risen. He’s back! Two fellas who followed Jesus encounter the risen Lord on their walk to Emmaus. They don’t know it’s him (verse 16). He talks with them, they fill him in on what’s been happening in Jerusalem, like he doesn’t know. Then, in verse 27,…
I’m writing this on a Friday, T.G.I.F. Thank God it’s Friday, we say. Most scholars believe Jesus was crucified on Friday. After today’s reading, I’m thinking T.G.I.F. should stand for Thank God it’s Forgiveness. Jesus is brought before Pilate and Herod. They don’t find anything they can execute him for. But there’s an angry, bloodthirsty…
These verses are where Christ tells us there’s a new covenant. God wants a close relationship with us, based on the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. It is going to replace the old way of doing things, a new way to get right with God. No more repeated sacrifices, one perfect sacrifice. This New Promise is…