Paul has some really strong words in 1 Corinthians 5 about sin and how to handle blatant sin in the church. Paul hears reports of a man living in sin with his stepmother, so Paul instructs the church that they need to address this situation and remove him from their fellowship. ‘6Your boasting about this…
While reading about Bezalel in Exodus 38 and 39, the craftsman who directed and was involved in the construction of the Tabernacle, I learned that everything was included, from the tent pegs to the sacred altar. He’s Hur’s grandson, Hur, who helped Moses hold up the staff during the battle with the Amalekites. I think…
This morning’s reading grabbed me and shook me by my collar. First, we see the 10 commandments in Exodus 20. Then in Psalms 119, the Psalmist expands on that. As a parent, it really made me consider how important God’s word and his commands should be to us. Exodus 20 maps out God’s joyful life-plan,…
Just as Pharaoh didn’t listen to God’s warnings in Exodus 10 and 11, we see history repeating itself today. Our “leadership” in the United States has been corrupt for decades. The highest bidder controls our so-called 2-party system. The rich and powerful divide and conquer the ordinary people and use our taxes to enrich themselves…
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…
Job gives his final plea. We know from Job 1 that he was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. Whenever I got into trouble in middle school, the principal sent home a pink slip for my parents to sign, which I had to return the next day….
Job 28:28 tells us that the fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is fundamental understanding. Fear is a powerful motivator. I work because of the fear of losing my possessions. I work on being a better Christ follower, husband, dad, and friend because I want good relationships and a deeper, divine…
Job is going through the darkest time of his life; he’s lost everything and wants to die and get it over with (16). Then, in 8, his friend shows no sympathy. He offers up his opinion, his solutions, and his assumptions. Job’s friend doesn’t offer to pray for him, to sacrifice for him, to clean…
Man, there’s a lot to soak in in today’s readings. Job lost everything but his integrity, his 10 kids that he loved, and thousands of animals. But he didn’t lose his integrity. He still praised God. I don’t know how many times I’ve run into small messes and crashed out; I need to be more…