Numbers 15:30-41; Following Yahweh’s encouragment of the children of the Exodus generation, He instructs Moses to warn them about defiant or “high handed” sin. Those who willfully sin in such a manner would be cut off from the people of Israel. To illustrate this reality, a man was found violating Sabbath by gathering wood. The […]
Luke 9:21-27; Sacrifice is a popular theme around national holidays such as Memorial Day, emphasizing the heroism of people who offered up their lives for the cause of freedom. However Jesus is our primary example of self-sacrifice as He offered Himself for the sins of the world. He plainly instructs the disciples and anyone who […]
Numbers 15:1-29; Following Yahweh-God’s judgement against the rebellion of the Exodus generation of Israel and their subsequent disobedience in marching into southern Canaan, chapter 15 is a refreshing pause. The LORD instructs Moses to teach the younger generation that will eventually be inheriting the Promised Land to offer thankful sacrifices to God. We also see […]
Numbers 14:20-45; Following the impassioned plea of Moses to spare the Israelites from complete destruction, Yahweh-God replied with His judgement against their grumbling and unfaitfulness. Although forgiving their sinfulness, the LORD holds the people accountable for their negative attitudes and behaviors. Anyone 20 years and older that were counted in the census (Num.1) would not […]
Numbers 14:1-19; With conflicting reports by the Israelite spies who scouted Canaan, the people had a clear choice to trust in the promises of Yahweh-God for a land of their own….or not. In typical fashion, they fell prey to their fears and unbelief, which roused the anger of the LORD against them. Despite being cast […]
Numbers 13:1-33; Returning to our ongoing LIght and Darkness series, we find Yahweh-God instructing Moses to send spies into Canaan for an intelligence gathering mission. They are to observe the land and inhabitants, then bring a report back to the Israelite camp as the foundation for conquering the Promised Land. However, most of the spies […]
Matthew 25:31-46: Belief has been a key theme during Easter 2021, as we have seen Jesus challenge His doubting disciples after the Resurrection. The foundation of their ministry to the early church was unwavering belief in the Person and Work of their Lord, which is likewise required of future generations of believers that have not […]
John 12:4-8; Luke 22:1-6, 20-22; Matthew 27:1-10: One of the most shocking aspects of the BTK serial killer story is the fact that he was an involved church member and even in a high leadership role. Like Judas in the gospel accounts, it is clearly possible for some to be exposed to the message of […]
John 20:19-29; Jesus used the vital Christian term “believe” seven times in the narrative of John 11, where Lazarus was raised from the dead. When the disciples heard the report from Mary and the other women who found the tomb of Christ empty on Easter morning, they didn’t believe the report. So when Jesus appeared […]
John 11:1-44; Compared with the detailed accounts of Christ’s arrest, trial, physical abuse, crucifixion and burial, the resurrection is notably concise. Going back to the narrative of Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave, we gain valuable insights on the Divine nature of Messiah and the mode of resurrection.