Liar or Lord?
When Jesus made a defense of His healing on the Sabbath, He was upping the ante instead of defusing the situation: “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17). For the Jews, such a...
View ArticleReflecting With God 2/12/2023
Thinking, praying, reading, studying the Bible – when we do these things, we are reflecting on the Word of God. To reflect is to contemplate and/or consider, and God wants us to deeply reflect on His...
View ArticleThe System
Religion is a tough subject. Jesus staunchly opposed religion for religion’s sake, yet He was a Law-abiding Jew. He recognized the value of worship, community, and discipleship, but not the value of...
View ArticleFilipino Expat Encouragement RL095
Overcoming a Tough Start SOCIETIES tend to have low expectations, sometimes downright hostility, for children born out of wedlock. Such was the case for Jephthah. The product of his father’s dalliance...
View ArticleWhen Things Don’t Go as Planned
I live in the world of projects. There are a few things I know for certain about them, aside from all requiring a budget and a schedule to have any hope of success. They will all take more time than …...
View ArticleFilipino Expat Encouragement RL096
GOD’S SYSTEM February 14, 2023 Job 38:12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place?” Every book has an assigned place at the library. Each novel,...
View ArticleSearching For The Wrong Kingdom
Because of the signs He performed, Jesus drew large crowds. And because of His signs, those who followed Him decided that He should be king. It seems natural and fitting, in a way, that Jesus should be...
View ArticleFilipino Expat Encouragement RL097
Back To Bethel Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. – Genesis 13:1. ABRAM went up. He is now on the way back, thank God. … Continue reading →
View ArticleWit, Wordplay, and Euphemism
The Bible is a passionate book. It’s about a God who is impassioned for His people and who ultimately sends His Son to die for them so that they can be saved from themselves. And it also portrays the...
View ArticleFilipino Expat Encouragement RL098
GALATIANS 1:12 February 16, 2023 Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. When I speak of a revelation of Christ, I am...
View ArticleFinding Sustainment
Following Jesus isn’t like developing a crisis-aversion system. So often, it’s tempting to treat our faith in this way—relying on Him when things get tough or when others expect us to do so. But He...
View ArticleReflecting With God 2/17/2023
Thinking, praying, reading, studying the Bible – when we do these things, we are reflecting on the Word of God. To reflect is to contemplate and/or consider, and God wants us to deeply reflect on His...
View ArticleDwelling In The Wilderness
The book of Leviticus can feel distant, abstract, and even absurd. Its opening chapters discuss odd offerings made at the tent of meeting, where God met His people when they were wandering in the...
View ArticleFilipino Expat Encouragement RL099
Waiting For the Light to Shine Scripture Text – Micah 7:1-9, 18-20 Looking back on the last lesson we see that Micah may have overestimated his situation, but his conclusions were not drawn in haste....
View ArticleAncient Words, Future Hope
Atonement is appealing because we all have relationships we wish we could reconcile. The 12-step program involves forgiving and forging renewed relationships when possible. But the story with God is...
View ArticleReflecting With God 2/19/2023
Thinking, praying, reading, studying the Bible – when we do these things, we are reflecting on the Word of God. To reflect is to contemplate and/or consider, and God wants us to deeply reflect on His...
View ArticleDanger In The Sphere of Influence
Leadership is like a bright spotlight; when the heat intensifies, it’s difficult to conceal the areas where we fail. But that’s where true character is revealed. The Pharisees didn’t fare well with the...
View ArticleFilipino Expat Encouragement RL100
Hannah’s Song: Praising The King MANY people today debate the potential as well as the limits of big government. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel make interesting reading in light of that discussion, for...
View ArticleGrace Among The Graphic
“Then he slaughtered the burnt offering, and Aaron’s sons brought the blood to him, and he sprinkled it on the altar all around; and they brought the burnt offering to him by its pieces, as well as the...
View ArticleFilipino Expat Encouragement RL101
HIS QUIET GLORY February 21, 2023 Psalm 5:3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. Whether hiking, biking, or just sleeping out,...
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