The author of Hebrews mentions the word “Today” five times in Hebrews 3 and 4, expressing a sense of urgency. Three times he repeats: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… (Hebrews 3:7,15, 4:7). Jews knew this verse by heart. It served as a call to worship every Sabbath evening in the synagogue and challenged them to carefully listen to the voice of God.
Years ago, I was called to an advising position, where my key role was to encourage and train women who were teaching the Bible. I was excited about the role of encourager. Having taught the Bible for many years myself, I knew how much these women needed someone to come alongside them with words of encouragement.
For the first time, I witnessed my friend at a loss for words of encouragement. She is always quick with words that edify and exhort those around her, but on this occasion, she had difficulty finding something good to say. The work she had evaluated was far from superior. She wouldn’t use flattery; and so, as she went to leave the meeting, she said, “Thanks for the (pause, pause)… job.”
I’m painting woodwork in my house—a wretched job that requires hours of labor. My daughter, Ashley, came for several days to help. As we worked, she would occasionally say, “This is fun!” As for me, what began with excitement a few weeks ago has turned into a prayer—Lord, just help me finish!
In the little one stop-light town where we vacation during the summer there is a herd of deer that roam the yards, streets, even Main Street, and the parks much to the delight of everyone except some avid gardeners. As my little nephews excitedly exclaim, “Look there are mommy deer, daddy deer, and baby deer!” What a pleasure to watch them quietly move gracefully by you.
“Take my hand, Claudia, I will keep you safe crossing this road.” I cannot count the number of times my parents said this when I was a child.
That is the same way God protects us when we become His child.
Many “several years ago” when I had a hard body and long hair, I did some mountain climbing and rock climbing. During those times, I heard many climbers making pleas and promises to God such as: “Help me, Jesus! Lord, if you just get me off this mountain, I promise I will never do this again.” Sometimes during climbing the fear level on a Richter scale of 1 to 10 can be a 25.
Last month, while jeeping on an alpine trail at 12,500 feet altitude, I was astounded at the bounty of glorious flowers. There were natural-formed bouquets of golden sunflowers, delicate lavender blooms scattered among them, and an array of pink and white blossoms peeking around the rocks.
My professional background is in healthcare, and ever since my very first anatomy and physiology class I have been fascinated with the beauty, complex simplicities, and precision of God’s creation-----us!
Jehovah Mekoddishkem (mek-KAH-dish-KIM) is a long, tongue-twisty name for an incredibly important truth.
It is God who set us apart for His purposes and accomplishes sanctification in our life. Our job is to follow Him in trust and obedience.
So far, it has been a week of a big God. Today, we will look at a small moment and the God who was in it.
First, a brief recap: Ten years had passed since God had promised Abram, a wealthy shepherd and future father of Israel, that he would have an heir. Nothing had happened and the biological clocks were ticking. Sarai, Abram’s wife, came up with a logical conclusion to the problem; Have Abram father the next generation through Hagar, her young Egyptian maid. Abram agreed. Hagar likely didn’t get a vote. However, after Hagar became pregnant by Abram, it began to dawn on her how her fortunes had improved. In an unwise move, she acted contemptuously toward her barren mistress. Sarai complained to Abram who said. “Do whatever you want.” The resulting mistreatment by Sarai caused Hagar to flee to the desert.
Throughout history, people believed that a Supreme Being brought the physical universe into existence and continued to act upon it. In the mid-1800’s, with the introduction of evolutionary theory, a new worldview emerged. It centered around a universe that not only thought itself up, but continued to keep itself running. Today the creation vs. evolution debate is still alive and well.
What is that old saying? “You never have a second chance to make a first impression.”
Like English, Hebrew has small letter gods and capital letter gods. The Elohim of Genesis 1:1, is as big as they get. He is the “all-powerful creator of the universe who knows all, creates all and is everywhere at all times.” Creators are, by definition, bigger than and outside of what they have made. Because of this, they decide what they will create and the rules by which it will operate. (True, though not always popular.)
You are at a large party where most of the faces are unfamiliar. However, everyone is wearing a stick-on name tag—always helpful among strangers. A nice lady comes over and introduces herself and, as you catch a quick glance at her name tag, you notice: “Hi! My Name is Mary and I am generous.” What? You look around and notice, “Hi! My Name is Jim and I am kind and understanding.” And “Hi! My Name is Alice and I am Intelligent and Wise.” And so on…
My girls and I were visiting with my parents, who live out in the country surrounded by beautiful rolling hills. There is great joy when sitting on their front porch gazing out over the green luscious pasture and beautiful blue pond. It is such a peaceful environment.
Paul and Silas were in bondage; they seemed to be in a hopeless situation. However stone-cold walls were not going to keep them from worshipping the Lord. They knew that there was power in the name of Jesus. God not only shook the very ground they were standing on but also broke the chains that held them in defeat.
In this verse we learn about a household who stood up against peer pressure over taking sides of who to follow. The early church in Corinth was becoming divided over whose teachings they should follow. They no longer looked at Christ as the Almighty leader, but one among many.
God had a plan and a message for Nineveh. He wanted Jonah to be the one who delivered the message to the wicked nation. Jonah, however, did not want to be involved in God’s plan, so he ran away. He thought he could escape from his calling by going in the opposite direction from Nineveh. God desired Nineveh to repent from their evil ways and nothing Jonah did could waver His plan.
Have you had one of those days when the moment your feet hit the floor in the morning it is go...go...go?
One particular morning I was awakened to the cries of my children and husband, “Mom, I am hungry!”, “Mom, can I take a shower”, and “Honey, what is your agenda for today?”
“Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” asked Isaac.
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb..., my son” (Genesis 22:14).
