Tag: promise
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Promises of Grace
Psalm 111; Romans 9:6–18 Promises hold a significant place within the stories in the Scriptures. Much of this has to do with having to trust the fulfillment of a promise that people would not see. Abraham is one such example. He was given a short (one year) promise as a “down payment” for the long…
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Trail Blaze
Psalm 46, Genesis 45:25–46:7 The King James Bible is arguably the single most significant book of the English language. Because of its centrality to the British Empire and the Church of England, the King James Bible had the unique placement to be the primary English language teaching and formation book for centuries, including all the…
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Abandon Ship
Jonah 3:1–5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29–31; Mark 1:14–20 Jonah may have been the most successful preacher in history. He preached and an entire city repented, and a large city, at that. The church celebrates 4000 in one day as a supreme act, yet cranky Jonah exceeded that by far. We often question and scorn Jonah…
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Power Granted
Isaiah 41:14–20; John 1:29–34 ♫ Nobody likes me; everybody hates; just because I eat wo-oorms ♫ I don’t know if you remember that song from your childhood. I recall it as some weird camp song. Really, who would eat worms? At the same time, I did learn that other cultures ate maggots, caterpillars, and even…
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Not Yours, But God’s
Psalm 69:1–5, 30–36; Genesis 17:1–13; Romans 4:1–12 “Abram” translates to “exalted ancestor”. “Abraham” translates to “ancestor of a multitude”. While Ismael was Abraham’s son (the son he had with Sarah’s servant), it didn’t quite connect with Abraham as Ishmael wasn’t a result of him and Sarah (his wife and love).Both names had their own sting.…
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Inconceivable!
In stories of God, “inconceivable” is often the underlying response. Even to this day, “inconceivable” is that thought that God would become a human being and then die for them.
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Burning Light
Just as “Star of Bethlehem” drew Gentiles (the “wise” men or magi) from afar, so does the speaking and reading of the Scriptures bring light into the world that is in pain and dying. Similarly, a lighthouse casts its light into the dark seas, providing guidance and the promise of security to ships.
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Unfailing Promiser
“Not one of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed: all came to pass.”–Joshua 21:45 (NRSV) My son, Jackson, is notorious for saying “you promise?” And now Wylder is picking up on it. You know what. I will let you in on a little secret. I…