Anna Responded to Pain by Wholeheartedly Pursuing God (Luke 2:36-38)

December 20, 2023 Nate Holdridge

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.

Believe the Right Things About Jesus (Mark 3:20-35)

June 8, 2022 Nate Holdridge

Mark sets up our next scene by pointing out two separate groups, Jesus' family and the scribes. But before looking at each group and their response to Christ, Mark is clear to point out why both of them reacted to Jesus at this time. The crowds. (14 Minutes/3600 Words)

Nehemiah 5—God Renews His People By Confronting Us

February 6, 2022 Nate Holdridge

Sunday Sermon: Nehemiah 5—God Renews His People By Confronting Us

The Life of David: Loving Your Enemies (1 Samuel 24)

November 29, 2021 Nate Holdridge

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)

Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-17)

September 13, 2021 Nate Holdridge

PXL_20210902_143052660.MP.jpg — Cain and Abel

(Genesis 4:1-17)

Here, we learn Adam knew Eve, which is the Bible's way of saying they knew one another in the act of sex . As an aside, this should be instructive concerning sex. To God, sex isn't the mere collision of bodies who are out for a good time. Instead, though it should be clear because of the design of our sexual organs, God designed sex to be intensely pleasurable, but he always thought of it as a major expression of an intimate relationship. A married couple is to know one another. (10 Minutes/2500 Words)

A Guide for the Climb - Chapter 15 - Enter God’s Blessing Cycle (Psalm 134)

October 22, 2020 Nate Holdridge

Enoch, a descendant of Adam, walked with God. According to Hebrews, his pursuit of friendship with God was an act of faith. What this ancient man had is what present-day believers need to have. (14 Minutes/3500 Words)