Reading: Genesis 13:1-13 'Stop the Strife' "So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me,Nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers." (Gen 13:8) The magnanimity of Abram was clearly evident when strife became apparent among family members. The moment of decision took place near Bethel where he had built an altar and first c...

Reading: 2 Kings 6:1-7 'School's in Session' "But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; And he cried out and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed." Living in tight quarters has its challenges. To some extent I can imagine how the prophets might have felt. I was raised in a two bedroom house with nine people, always full of activity, family...

Reading: Genesis 37 'The Ugly Face of Jealousy' "When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. They said to one another, "Here comes this dreamer!"Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, 'A wild beast devoured him.' Then let us see what will become of his d...

Reading: Haggai 1 'When is the Right Time?' "Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, "Consider your ways!Hag 1:2-8 When is it the right time to begin to build things that have eternal implication? Once I have a seminary degree, or have attended 'X' number of Bible Studies? Or when I get married and as a couple we can share the responsibilities? How about, when my ki...

Reading: Psalms 1 'Getting Counsel' "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But hisdelight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night". Ps 1:1-2 The source of our counsel directs and influences us in every single area of our lives. The Psalmist tel...

Reading: Matthew 10:29-31 'God Determines our Value' "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. " Lies, lies, all lies. The world speaks nothing but deceptive words and the philosophy of men. Noth...

Reading: Genesis 3 'Eyes Wide Open' "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her...

Reading: John 5:1-17 'Crippling Sin' "A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" vs 5-6 The multitude who gathered at this pool without a doubt had some real physical issues. Out of all the people waiting for the angel...

Reading: Matthew 20:20-28 'So You Want to be First' "Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left." There is just something about all human nature. It ...

Reading: Luke 17:11-19 "Giving Glory to God" "And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan." If we allow ourselves to reflect at our condition before Christ came into our lives, we were just...