Honor before God

Israel was fooled into making a treaty with the Gibeonites under false pretenses. Even when the truth was out, Israel would not go back on the vow they made before God. When you honor God and keep commitments, mistakes work out for the good of all. 

Joshua 9:19-21 (NIV) 19... “We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. 20 This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.”  21 They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept. 

2/28/2021

Ichabod

 

The ark of God was God living among the people of Israel. It was visible and interactive. With it came order, holiness and purpose. Ichabod is a very fitting name of what is left when the personal presence of God is diminished in your home or outside it. 

1 Samuel 4:21 (NIV) 21 She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 

2/21/2021

Judging Correctly

 

Not judging at all means you make no distinctions of bad, better or best, yet the Bible is all about these differences.  John 7:24 says to judge fairly and righteously, not superficially and arrogantly.   Right judgment brings wisdom and joy when developed with God. 

John 7:24 (AMP) 24 Do not judge by appearance [superficially and arrogantly], but judge fairly and righteously.

 

2/18/2021

The Sword of the Spirit

 

When you are in Christ you come to peace but there will be unforeseen personal issues. The sword represents the turmoil and change that Christ’s truth brings: It pierces. Expect some habits, comfort zones and relationships to be disrupted painfully, but for the better. 

Matthew 10:34 (TLB) 34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, rather, a sword.

2/14/2021

Church Relationships

Churches can be as bad as the secular world in dysfunction and egos. Paul’s insight rings true today. Let God show you how to work happily together and enjoy the company of one another. Don’t be a know-it-all. Let God show you the value of each person in your church.

Romans 12:16 (TLB) 15 Work happily together. Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all!

2/10/2021

Water into Wine

Jesus and his mother knew what his mission was on Earth.  When the opportunity for his first miracle appeared, he thought he was not ready. His mother was more confident. She brought it to him and, though reluctant at first, he performed beautifully.

John 2:1-5 (TLB)  1Two days later Jesus’ mother was a guest at a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were invited too. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, and Jesus’ mother came to him with the problem. 4 “I can’t help you now,” he said. “It isn’t yet my time for miracles.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you to.”

2/7/2021