When I was about 5 years old, I remember my parents expressly telling me not to play at the creek near our church building. They warned me not to do it and said there would be consequences if I did. Disobeying them, I ended up falling in the creek and hurting myself pretty badly. Not only did I hurt myself, but my parents gave me the discipline I deserved. Reflecting back, I now recognize that my dad instructed me to avoid the creek because he wanted what was best for me. I thought he was trying to keep me from having fun. In reality, … [Read more...]
LifeMatters :: Establishing a Divine Purpose // 2 Samuel 7:22-24
My wife and I work really hard to teach our children good manners. Many times, we have to coax them to say "please" or "thank you." But, there are times when my children genuinely and spontaneously, without any coaching, express their gratitude to us or someone else for something they have received. Few things make me happier than when I have given a gift to my children and they respond with joyful gratitude. In this passage, God promised to pour out wonderful blessings on David and his family with long term effects. In response, … [Read more...]
LifeMatters :: Follow God’s Plan // Exodus 26:30-33
Here's a question. Why would the God who is everywhere seek to live in one particular location? God told Moses to build a tabernacle because He wanted to live with His people, up close and personal. He wanted to be their resident Yahweh. Not some distant God who had no relevance. Not some abstract concept or principle. No, God is always wanting to be Immanuel-"God with us." No matter who stood against Israel-whether it was the Ammonites, Assyrians, or Moabites-the presence of the one true God was with the Jews. And because God was for … [Read more...]
Share a verse, win a prize!
If you're still browsing Bible studies for fall, we have the perfect opportunity for you and your church! Sign up today and download 3 FREE Preview Sessions of Adults, Students, and/or Kids, and you'll automatically be entered to WIN $500 in fall Bible Studies for Life resources or another resource of your choice on Friday, June 28th. Over 20,000 churches have already previewed this powerful resource that will amplify your ministry by connecting the unconnected, strengthening families, and discipling people with wisdom. You can … [Read more...]
LifeMatters :: Be Loyal to God // Exodus 20:1-4, 7-8
Perhaps it's a lone blue M&M in a bucket of red ones. Or a mustard yellow car in a parking lot of black ones. Whenever you have something that's different from everything else, it's easy to notice it. The Israelites were called by God to be different from everyone else. God called them to be holy-to be set apart. In a land of polytheism, it was easy to pick out the monotheistic Jews. The Egyptians had gods for everything: Isis, the goddess of protection; Ra, the god of the sun; Anubis, the god of the dead. When the Israelites … [Read more...]
Crises Prepare Us for Greater Assignments
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything … . Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:2-4,12). Roy Whetstine was a gemologist from Texas. In 1986 he visited a gem and mineral bazaar in Tucson, Arizona. … [Read more...]
Free Father’s Day Art
This week's Free Art Friday offering is in honor of dear ol' Dad. Bless your father, grandfather, or those special men in your lives who have invested in you over the years. Say "Happy Father's Day" with a printable card (or Pinterest pin) and a new Father's Day-themed Facebook timeline cover photo. Happy Father's Day! (Just right-click and save the photos to the appropriate files on your computer.) Facebook Timeline Cover Photo Father's Day printable card (or Pinterest pin) … [Read more...]
LifeMatters :: God Cares // Exodus 3:7-10
It was the most feared weapon on the battlefield. Some called it "Greek fire" and others called it "liquid" or "manufactured" fire. Regardless of its name, there was no doubting its power. The Greeks discovered that if you ignite a mixture of inflammable pine resin and sulphur, even water wouldn't extinguish its flames.* While the Greeks had their fire, the Hebrews had theirs too. Just ask Moses. He had never seen fire where the leaves glowed hot with flames but weren't burned (see Exodus 3). Then he heard the voice-"I AM WHO I AM!" … [Read more...]
LifeMatters :: A Plan of Blessing // Genesis 12:1-3
God told Abram that he would make him into a great nation (see Genesis 12:2), and his descendants would be as numerous as the sands on the seashore (see Genesis 22:17). Even with our best calculators, this number would be virtually impossible to calculate. God's promise to Abram required an act of obedience-to abandon the comforts of his home in Ur and set out on a pilgrimage to a land that he had never visited. Scary, huh? To leave family. To kiss friends goodbye. To travel unaware of what lies around the next mountain. Yet Abram … [Read more...]
LifeMatters :: God Creates // Genesis 1:1, 26-27
It's no surprise that many of us are addicted to movies-all kinds of movies- action, scary, western, and romance. Movies tell us stories. They take us by the hand and guide us through a narrative. Have you ever noticed how the first scene of a movie often begins with a helicopter view of a cityscape? Maybe Manhattan or Chicago. Then after the opening credits are over, the camera focuses and zooms into a particular detail and begins the story. The Bible is a story, a story of epic proportion. In it is contained all the tragedy, … [Read more...]
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