Ruth was new to Israel. She lived during the time of the judges, a time when everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). God’s people lived as though they were not at all governed by God’s law. Self-will ruled the day. People did not search the Scriptures. The norm was to follow the dictates of the heart, not the word of God. But Ruth was new.
Read morePsalm 8—A Whole Person
Sunday Teaching: Psalm 8—A Whole Person
Read morePruned by the Father (John 15:2)
When Jesus referred to "every branch that does bear fruit," he was alluding to all true believers. Every true believer in Christ is cleansed and pruned by the Father so that they might produce more fruit. (1 Minute/300 Words)
Read moreWorking on Team Jesus (Mark 6:7-32)
Our passage today will end with this statement: the apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught (Mark 6:30). It is one of only two instances in Mark's whole book when the disciples are referred to as apostles. (12 Minutes/3200 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: Partnering With God
After many years among the nations, making disciples, Paul returned to Jerusalem. He reported to the church. He told them "one by one the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry."
Read morePsalm 7—A Plea Of The Accused
Sunday Message: Psalm 7—A Plea Of The Accused
Read moreHow To Be the Church in a Secular Community (Jeremiah 29:4-9)
Jeremiah had an unenviable task. Called by God at a young age, he was given the assignment of a doomsday prophet to a rebellious Israel. For centuries—ever since they shifted from a theocracy to a monarchy—God's nation battled disobedience to God's law. And now, the day of reckoning would come. God needed to purge his people, beginning with a Babylonian invasion. (5 Minutes/1400 Words)
Read moreHow To Unleash Jesus' Mighty Work in Your Life (Mark 6:1-6)
The story before us is one of the most terrifying in all the gospel accounts. Jesus visits his hometown of Nazareth (1), and they are astonished at his words and works (2). They knew he was powerful, mighty works having been done by him all throughout the region (2). But since they had known Jesus and his family for many years, they took offense at him (3). (12 Minutes/3000 Words
Read moreArchival Post: Does My Parenting Style Promote Spousal Oneness?
Something mysterious was declared over the first marriage. After telling the man to leave his father and mother, God told him to be joined to his wife. “The two,” God said, “Will be one flesh.”
Read moreArchival Post: Leaving Ease, Entering Blessing
Sometimes the place of "blessing" is the worst place for us.
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