Courage and Compromise – an Unknown Prophet He received clear orders from God, and, as a loyal Judean prophet, he didn’t whine like Moses or run away like Jonah. He packed his bags and headed north for Bethel to confront the wicked King Jeroboam. Basically, this was a suicide mission. Can you imagine the courage…
Uzzah and His BFF – God He dies with surprise and shock on his face, and the celebratory parade of thousands comes to a halt. Uzzah forgot who God is. The priests and Levites disregarded God’s clear direction. King David has patronized his Lord. And the entire nation needs to be reminded that God is…
Jezebel – One Wicked Woman Have you read about Jezebel? She was reared in a home where the idol Baal was worshipped. She brought her demonized religion to Israel when she became the wife of King Ahab. Because of Jezebel, God’s prophets were murdered and His people were led into idolatry. Learn about Jezebel, one…
The Look What’s in a look, a brief glance? Without spoken words, what can you “read” in the face of another? Jesus taught many powerful messages, but, here, as Peter, the future spokesman of the Church, completes his three-stanza denial and lying, our soon-to-be- murdered Messiah makes only eye contact with Peter. Consider the power…
The Grip Remember when you passed that difficult exam – the anxious doubts that turned to grateful smiles? This story is a faith event, a test for Peter and also a lesson for the 11 apostles in the boat. Let’s climb into the small craft and watch as Jesus, again, reaches out to rescue with…
Dangerous Obedience – Ananias He is minding his own business, enjoying the normal, daily fellowship with other believers living in the city. Then word arrives that the chief persecutor of the church is on his way from Jerusalem. The fledgling congregation in Damascus knows about Saul and his threatening purpose. Then Ananias hears from God…
Rahab – a Mercy Trophy Here’s a Bible character we don’t talk about much. She’s a prostitute living in a Canaanite city. Shameful, right? Someone to be shunned? Not exactly on the Christmas list of any of the city fathers. But she and her immediate family are the only residents not slaughtered by the Israeli…
The Breaking of a King – Nebuchadnezzar Did you ever play “King of the Mountain” as a kid? Who was the “biggest and baddest” at the top of the dirt pile? The scene in today’s passage is just such a fight. It’s a story of the world’s most powerful man meeting the God of power.…
When God Provides From Birds and A Widow Little kids playing with a bunch of toys inevitably shift from “playing nicely” to conflict. We hear them whine, “Mine! Mine!” As adults, we are much more sophisticated in our ownership pursuits. There’s so much Jehovah Jireh (God Provider) wants to show us, guiding us toward freedom…
Christianity in Crisis on Emmaus Road After the horrific murder of Jesus on that hill outside of Jerusalem, how many folks waited eagerly for Jesus’ resurrection? Were bleachers set up outside the tomb? On that first Easter morning, who was ready to launch the message of salvation to “go and make disciples of all nations”?…