Posts Tagged ‘old testament’
What Gave the Israelites the Right to “Invade” Canaan?
The whole world has been watching in horror as Russia invades Ukraine. Whether it be the mass refugee crisis or the heart-wrenching loss of innocent civilian life, it all is so deplorable. We don’t endorse these kinds of travesties, and we are rooting for there to be a swift resolution to such conflict. Yet, the…
Read MoreHow God’s Joy is Better Than Instant Gratification
It seems like every year the “latest and greatest” inventions all serve to attempt to make life easier and more comfortable. And at the root of nearly every software update and newest gadget or widget is the goal to close the gap of time between desire and pleasure. In other words–instant gratification. Let’s be clear,…
Read MoreWhere Was Jesus Before the Gospels?
Have you ever thought about what Jesus was up to before the incarnation, before Christ came as an infant? For millennia, theologians have marveled at what it means that Jesus has eternally existed as the Lord, Yahweh, the God of Israel. This is part of the larger revelation of the Trinity, and without getting lost…
Read MoreMade For More Than Manna
You are made for more. This is something we have been talking about weekly as we go through a sermon series in the book of Joshua. Some of these passages and themes are accessible and easy to get excited about. Others, however, might cause us to raise an eyebrow, grit our teeth, or scratch our…
Read MoreWhere Does Courage Come From?
“Be strong and very courageous” (Joshua 1:7, NLT) God said to Joshua. These are the kinds of instructions you receive when something risky or dangerous lies ahead. For Joshua, taking possession of the promised land would not be like taking a stroll through Disneyland, where all the thrill and adventure are preset to come out…
Read MoreWhy Sabbath is Way More Powerful Than a “Day Off”
Do you ever feel hurried or overwhelmed? I know I have. I remember taking a break from what felt like constant tasks and to-do lists to actually breathe for a moment. There I thought to myself: “I cannot sustain this pace much longer.” That’s when I knew I needed a fresh encounter with God’s gift…
Read MoreTrusting God with the Blank Spaces
Imagine reading a book to your child and in the middle of the story, closing the book, and having your child try to write the ending. How would it go? The chances are they would not write the same ending. Now think about life. How many of us wish we could take over sovereign control…
Read MoreWhat Does it Mean to “Fear the LORD”?
What do you think about when you hear the phrase: “the fear of the LORD”? If the first images that come to mind are of God’s anger or blazing fire—we’d love to deepen your understanding of the concept today! The fear of the LORD makes a frequent appearance in the Old Testament (over 70x). The…
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