What is it that saves us from the penalty our sins deserve? What is it that makes us righteous in God’s sight? Most of the philosophies and religions of the world would tell us that we need to do something, that the key to a fulfilled life is to observe…

Marching Orders Joshua 8 Review: 1. God’s justice is certain and complete. And while He doesn’t want us to spread our faith by force, He does sometimes use nations to carry out His judgment on others. 2. In standing up for God’s kingdom, we should not fear or be dismayed….

How do we live a life of faith every day? Well, that depends on what’s going on in your life, doesn’t it? As verse 13 says, maybe everything is going well for you today, so you are in a cheerful mood. Those who put their trust in themselves might feel…

Following God is not always easy. We saw that in yesterday’s passage as Elijah had to hide out in a creekbed and eat carrion that ravens brought to him. We’ll see it tomorrow when he asked a starving widow to trust God enough to make some food for him so…

Bible Reading for October 11 – I Kings 17:1-7 “God wants you to be happy and healthy and wealthy – just put your hand on the TV and send in a donation!” We’ve all heard these sorts of presentations from the peddlers of the prosperity gospel. But today’s passage should…

I suppose every preacher has shared the first part of Paul’s experience – having someone doze off during a sermon that went a little too long. And as a high-school teacher, I’ve had my share of sleepy students, especially during those after-lunch class periods. But if the first part of…

Bible Reading for October 9 – Luke 4:24-30 The idea that the gospel is for everyone has never really been popular. In our increasingly polarized America, as the political rhetoric ratchets higher and higher, it becomes easier and easier to dehumanize those who disagree with us. And to think that…

So, why did Peter want to build three tents on top of the mountain? In the previous chapter, he had finally realized who Jesus is – the Christ, the promised Messiah (16:16). And now, right before his eyes was the evidence of the coming Kingdom of God the Jewish people…

For the 17 years I was a chaplain or teacher at Chamberlain-Hunt Academy, I saw the King James Version translation of verse 6 over the proscenium in the chapel. It was a daily reminder to me, and to all the young people the institution served, to put God first in…

Have you ever made a big mess of things? Have you ever dug a hole for yourself so deep that you think there’s no way you could ever climb out? That’s how Moses predicted the people of Israel would eventually feel. Even before they went into the Promised Land, he…