When Joseph insists on keeping the “thief” Benjamin as his slave, Judah asks to take his place: “My father’s life is wrapped up with the boy’s life. When he sees that he is not with us, he will die…. Now please let your servant [Judah] remain here as my lord’s slave in place of theContinue reading “Forgiving is Easy When You See God’s Hand.”
Category Archives: Faith
Wrestling With God.
Jacob is the only person to wrestle with God literally. But countless others have wrestled with God, figuratively speaking. Have you? If God seems silent, or seems to be saying no, DON’T GIVE UP! Keep praying! Don’t quit until the Holy Spirit tells you to quit. “A certain woman … heard of Jesus and cameContinue reading “Wrestling With God.”
The Hopefulness of an Open Mind.
Often there are two ways to look at things, a doubting view and a view rooted in faith. And you may not know which view is correct. Can you think of one topic about which you have not made up your mind? We are uncomfortable with uncertainty. We have to KNOW, even if what weContinue reading “The Hopefulness of an Open Mind.”
Sacrifice.
What could you give up for God? God promised Abraham descendants that would outnumber the stars, and land in all directions. He called Abe his friend, and told him about Sodom and Gomorrah in advance. But in exchange, God asked a lot of the ultimate “founding father.” “Take thy son, thy only son Isaac, whomContinue reading “Sacrifice.”
Abstinence is Weight Lifting for the Soul. Genesis 16:9.
Such abstinence actually characterizes the lives of mature believers: you constantly see opportunities or “open doors,” but you pray and God is silent and you realize you must persevere where you are: Keep that job. Stay at that church. Mend that relationship. Work out that marriage. You must ABSTAIN from the temptation to quit.
DO YOU BELIEVE GOD? Genesis 15:6
First, God told Abram “Go … to a land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation” Genesis 12:1-2. Later God spoke a second time: “To your offspring I will give this land” 12:7. Then He spoke a third time: “I will make your offspring like the dust of theContinue reading “DO YOU BELIEVE GOD? Genesis 15:6”
EATING: THE ORIGINAL SIN. Genesis 3:17.
Man’s first sin was wrong eating. I might have guessed it would be lying, hate, murder, or something immoral—not a snacking violation. I don’t take eating that seriously. Do you? But maybe we can learn something. It begins here: GOD IS THE PROVIDER. “The young lions roar and seek their food from God…. All [theContinue reading “EATING: THE ORIGINAL SIN. Genesis 3:17.”
Don’t Doubt in the Darkness What God Told You in the Light. Genesis 3
When you hear of a terrible, unspeakable tragedy such as a young man I’ll call Tommy who took his own life suddenly and without warning, it should remind you that we have an enemy. YOU have an enemy. And you may wonder, ‘Who am I? Why would he care about me? I’m no missionary,’ orContinue reading “Don’t Doubt in the Darkness What God Told You in the Light. Genesis 3”
Household Words: 