Yesterday, we were introduced to Anna, a widowed prophetess, and we observed how she spent her life in dedicated service to God. Next, let's consider how Anna responded to pain. Seven years into marriage, her husband died, and she responded by heading to the temple. And she never stopped. You might wonder if her husband was secretly a nightmare and his death, though painful, was actually a welcomed reprieve for Anna. I suppose it's possible, but a culture like theirs didn't produce as many violent or twisted men as ours does. Her society's weakness was that it made life very hard for unmarried women, making Anna's husband's death a very severe trial.
Read moreThe Life of David: Loving Your Enemies (1 Samuel 24)
Jesus taught hard, radical things. During his sermon on the mount, he said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’” (Matthew 5:43). It seems that, by the time of Christ, the religious leaders had taken the Old Testament command to ‘love your neighbor’ to mean one should also hate their enemy. Their teaching was, of course, a perversion of God’s word. Jesus corrected, and then addended their teaching. “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). (15 Minutes, 4000 Words)
Read moreVideo Message: Get Your Mind Right
We are entering into a new season, a post COVID season, and we need to get our minds right. This next season will require us to flexible and immovable and we need to partner with the Lord in order to endure it.
Read more