Have you ever done something out of good intentions only to have it misunderstood, to have your actions misjudged, to be accused of doing wrong? Most people think the worst. It happens all the time and it is not a new phenomenon. Continue reading
Did God choose me or did I choose Him?
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Ephesians 1:3-13
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…
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He chose us. When did that happen? Ephesians 1:4 – For he chose us in him before the creation of the world …
But we also had to choose Him. When did that happen? Ephesians 1:13 – And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, … When you believed … Continue reading
Live happily ever after
Joshua 21:44, 45
And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand. Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.
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This sounds like the OT version of “and they all lived happily ever after” – no more problems, no more enemies, all was well with everyone. Of course, we know that isn’t what happened. They did not all live happily ever after. Continue reading
Ever feel God failed you?
Joshua 15:63
…the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem until this day.
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The Jebusites were one of the tribes God told Israel to drive out of the land and apparently the Israelites tried to do it but just did not have what it took to get the job done. So, how does that work? Have you ever felt God called you to do something and when you gave it your best effort you just couldn’t pull it off? What a frustrating situation. It feels like God let you down. Wasn’t this His idea? Why didn’t He come through? But you know you can’t blame your failure on God. But you can’t figure out what you could have done differently either. Continue reading
New and Improved Jesus!
Galatians 5:4, 10, 12
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.
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Paul is really in attack mode here. You have been severed from Christ, fallen from grace! “I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.” All this just because they are trying to get folks to keep the law? Don’t do this, don’t touch that, don’t go there, be sure you do this and do that. What’s wrong with getting people to “clean up their act”? Continue reading
So what is Caleb all about?
Moses sent 12 spies into the promised land to scout it out. All 12 agreed it was a good land, just as God had said, but only two agreed with God that the Israelites could take the land. Joshua and Caleb were those two spies who believed God. I have always loved the symmetry and balance in Scripture, the fact that everything has a purpose and is illustrative to us of some spiritual truth. Because of that, for a long time I had a hard time figuring out what Caleb was all about. Continue reading
School bullies and the Bible?
Luke 22:31-32
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
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Put yourself in Peter’s place. Jesus tells you that Satan has asked to “sift you” – translation, “beat the snot out of you”. That is worse than hearing the school bully is waiting for you in the parking lot. But surely God said “no” to Satan’s request, right? Wrong.
Jesus tells you He has prayed for you. Whew! That’s a relief. Jesus prayed so now the bully won’t be able to touch you or maybe you’ll even beat him up, right? Wrong again.
How did the apostles die?
This weekend we celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Approximately half the world knows the story of how Jesus died and rose again. (Sadly, there is still half our world that has not even had a chance to reject Him because they have not even heard of Him. That is what missions and CTEN is all about.) But what happened to the other apostles? How and where did they die? ** Continue reading
13 – Lucky or Unlucky?
As I read through the book of Joshua, chapter 13 is one that is tough to read because of the strange names and most of us have little interest in how the land was divided. But, often hidden in chapters like this is a jewel if we take time to look.
You probably know Israel was divided into 12 tribes. Each tribe was named after one of Jacob’s 12 sons. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel and that is why they are called the “Children of Israel”. But did you know there were actually 13 tribes? No, this isn’t some weird new teaching. Continue reading
Why do the wicked win?
Joshua 12 is a list of kings Moses and Joshua dispossessed to give the land to God’s people. It is tough to read thoroughly – actually I usually just skim it giving half an effort to pronouncing all those weird names.
But these were kings, powerful men, greatly feared. The stroke of their hand meant life or death. Their word was law. Surely they seemed like gods and probably were treated as such. Now, they are just nobodies in a list of nobodies that nobody wants to read because, frankly, nobody cares? Continue reading