SCRIPTURE: Numbers 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The ‘firstborn son’ idea is foreign to us, but in that time it was the normal means of advancing family wealth and blessing from generation to generation. The firstborn son had a special purpose and calling. God uses that cultural expression to communicate His own plan to advance His wealth and blessing…
comment inducer!
OK, here is my question. Why do so few people leave comments on my blog? I know that we have between 30 and 40 visitors a day. Am I that intimidating? I would really love to hear from you. Even if you just say “hi”. There are “ways” of getting people to leave comments….
“Jesus Follower” in the news
“A Christian by Any Other Name” by Lisa Miller (Article in Newsweek, March 16, 2009) “Ward Brehm doesn’t call himself a Christian. “I just call myself a follower of Jesus,” says Brehm, a Minneapolis businessman and former chairman of the U.S.-Africa Development Foundation. “It’s a huge difference.” Christian definitions used not to matter so much….
organized for a purpose
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Did Jesus have a plan, or did He drift through His ministry, going wherever the ‘current’ of the day led Him? I am convinced Jesus had a plan. He was ultimately heading to Jerusalem. He started with crowds in general, then narrowed His focus to the twelve. He avoided the crowds, not…
count me in!
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Yeah, we get to read Numbers! Be prepared, it’s not easy to follow. There is a storyline, but the narrative jumps around. It’s hard to get the flow. And we start with a long list of names and numbers (hence the title). The numbers here seem high, and raise the question of…
to pray this prayer
Pray this prayer out loud. Is it something you can say with conviction? Lord, You know what is best for me. Give me what You will and when You will and as much as You will. Do with me as You know best and as it pleases You and brings You the most honour. Place…
warfare prayer!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In this Psalm, David talks about very real, flesh and blood enemies. Boastful, arrogant, cruel, deceptive, heartless and godless. And successful to boot. They defy and disregard God, and laugh about it. They experience no consequences, nor do they expect them. I do not have these kinds of enemies. I am not…
reason to rejoice
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: As I read Psalm 9 with Jesus, He reminded me both of the great power and potential that I have in Him, as well as of my need for humility and confidence in Him. David is telling us about how the Lord has helped Him against His enemies, yet he also remains humble…
morning prayer
Thanks for sending this prayer Bob, may many Jesus-followers be encouraged to prepare for the daily battle using this prayer: Good morning Lord, Thank You for assuring me of victory today, if I will but follow your battle plan. So by faith I claim victory over__________( things that you know you will face today). To…
pack my bags?
When Texas pastor Jim Denison was in college, he served as a summer missionary in East Malaysia. While there he attended a small church. At one of the church’s worship services, a teenage girl came forward to announce her decision to follow Christ and be baptized. During the service, Denison noticed some worn-out luggage leaning…