Another day with Jesus

                                                Please...                                             D on’t ignore the messenger!       If someone suffers because they've been foolish, are you bold enough to tell them they need help? Do they listen or will they hurl abuse? Often, I would rather let them learn by experience than confront the problem. And I’d probably miss the opportunity to ease their pain. This was Malachi’s challenge, but he obeyed God, counteracted objections and spoke the truth with love. What faith and courage!      God was about to leave the nation of Israel to its own devices. Ever since Moses had led them to the Promised Land, prophets had warned them about the consequences of ignoring God. Now ...

                                                   A clear view of heaven… and Jesus A well-respected young man, he devoted his time and energy to the church food drive. This was Stephen of the first century church, on fire with the Holy Spirit and wise for God. The apostles laid hands on him and six of his co-workers. Stephen received his calling with humility and, forged ahead, performing miracles and signs among the people. Yet the Synagogue of the Freedmen violently objected when he preached the good news about Jesus..        “Listen, Jesus of Nazareth said he would destroy the temple and raise it in three days.”     “You blasphemer! How dare you despise God’s holy temple and speak against Moses, our lawgiver?”   They dragged Stephen before the high court and forced him into the witness stand.  H is face gl...

  Samuel Priest and Judge                        Were you raised in a Christian home?            Did your parents insist on you going to church each week? How about now? Has their faith become yours or have you left it behind? Parental faith doesn’t ensure continued church attendance; life’s difficulties, demanding jobs, or the lure of novelty often leads to apathy or downright discontent with the church. If you have left God behind, it’s worth giving him another chance. These feelings are timeless because we see them played out in biblical times.        During the era of Israel’s judges, each year Samuel’s parents went to worship at the tabernacle. His mother had once suffered both the shame of barrenness and subsequent cruel taunting from her husband’s other wife. Yet after Samuel’s birth, she dedicated him to the Lord, and he served in the tabernacle alongside Eli, the...

                                                                                                      Moses                                              Called from the desert He’d wandered into the far side of the desert in search of grazing land for his father-in-law’s flocks. Mount Horeb rose in the distance, and halfway up the slope, a puff of smoke floated skyward, shimmering in the sunlight. Who had lit the fire? Curious, he hurried towards it.  But wait, there was something odd about those flames.   Why weren't these vibrant, crackling orange tongues of fire consuming the bush? The air, thick with the ...

                                                                        JACOB                                                         Jacob lay dying, old, feeble and ill, while outside his tent, his sons grazed their sheep on the fertile lands of Goshen. He called his twelve sons to his side, rallied his failing strength, and sat up on his bed.   “Listen to me, my sons, as I prophesy your future. Reuben, you’re my firstborn, the first sign of my strength, but you’re as turbulent as the sea. You slept in my bed with my concubine, and you’ll pay the consequences of your lust.”   “Simeon and Levi are violent men, and God will scatter you among my people.” ...

                                      Credit:  Abraham and Isaac by Harold Copping.( 1863-1932)                                     Abraham, known as the father of the faithful  “Abram, leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land which I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. Your name will be great, and you will be a blessing… all people of the earth will be blessed through you.”   Abraham was 75 and his wife, Sarah, 65 when God asked him to give up his home to travel into unchartered territory. Abram left, trusting God to guide him, signaling his tremendous faith and courage. But in God’s eyes, Abraham’s faith journey was just beginning. Although...

  NOAH: Why did you build the ark?                                                                                                                         “What are you doing, Noah?” “I’m building an ark for my family and all kinds of animals and plants. While God and I were walking, he warned me he’s going to send a flood to destroy the earth.” “Your God is cruel. Why does he want to kill us?”   “He’s righteous, and he hates the violence which is corrupting society. No one listens to him.  And haven't you seen the wild parties, extravagant weddings and feasts? They might be fun at the time, but the glamor soon wears off. Those party goers are only interested in a good ti...

              Enoch: the Man who Walked with God Have you ever traveled alone?        I’d respond to that in both the positive and negative. A passerby wouldn’t have seen anyone, but I wasn’t alone because the Lord Jesus was with me, guarding my steps and protecting me from danger. Whether I was driving along a highway or striding through a foreign airport, I’d talk to him.     I don’t remember my conversion. My parents explained the gospel to me from the moment I could understand it, but through our daily Bible readings and prayers, I gradually realized Jesus was my Savior and he has been my closest friend for over sixty years, blessing me when I walked with him, and lifting me up when I stumbled. His promises, faithfulness, and  compassion inspire faith, which is how we please our Creator. See Hebrews 11:6.   Let's look at one of the ancient patriarchs.  Enoch lived in ancient times. He was the gre...

                                                                                  Cain and Abel   Art by Lorenzo de Ferrari, 1680-1744        Eve cradled her newborn son in her arms. God had helped her through this childbirth, blessing Cain with a brother. As time passed, her husband, who was a farmer, trained his firstborn to follow in his footsteps. The second son became a shepherd.       Both Adam and Eve had always worshiped God, but before the birth of the boys, they had succumbed to temptation and God had driven them from their home in Eden. Angels who brandished flaming swords were guarding the tree of life, and they would never again enjoy paradise. In his m...