Monthly Archives: January 2011
hometown advantage
Luke 4:14-44. At first, things went quite well for Jesus when he visited his hometown of Nazareth. All eyes were upon him, and they listened with approval as he explained about his ministry of rescuing the blind from their darkness, … Continue reading
a pregnant man
Psalm 7. David has apparently been accused of wronging someone by Cush, of the tribe of Benjamin. It may be that Cush had some property and David acquired it, and Cush spread word that David had gained it by wicked … Continue reading
spiritual mechanics
Luke 4:8-12. Some teach that getting what you want from God is a matter of spiritual mechanics. All you have to do is find some promise in the text of scripture, put your faith in it, and act out that … Continue reading
a rock and a hard place
Psalm 6. David is suffering between a rock (apparently an illness from which he needs healing (2)) and a hard place (his enemies gloating over his misfortune). He does not want to die for two reasons. First, the state of … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, conflict, prayer, relationship with God, sleep of death, suffering
Tagged Psalm 6
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empowerment or destruction?
Luke 3:1-22. John the Baptist had the incredible responsibility to lead his nation to repentance in preparation for the Messiah and his mission. Isaiah encouraged the same nation to prepare themselves for the deliverance God wanted to give them (Isaiah … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, Holy Spirit, judgment, repentance, witness
Tagged Luke 3
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transformed ministry
Luke 2:22-52. From the few incidents Luke records of Jesus’ infancy and childhood, it is reasonable to assume that Mary was one of the eyewitnesses that he consulted. She told of the day they brought him into the temple at … Continue reading
the line to see Jesus
Luke 2. Becky Kelley’s video “Where’s the line to see Jesus?” has her in a mall at Christmas time, and people are in line to see Santa. A little boy appears and asks her “Where’s the line to see Jesus?” … Continue reading
the third way
Gen .3. The tree of life appears first in scripture in the creation account. In addition to all other kinds of trees that are nice to look at, and nourishing, God makes two other trees: the tree of knowing good … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, eternal life, grace, Jesus Christ
Tagged Genesis 3
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our way back
Psalm 2. This psalm speaks of the LORD, the God who created the nations. It also speaks of another, whom the LORD calls “my Son.” The LORD speaks to the Son and chooses somehow to beget him on a certain … Continue reading
we need grace
Gen. 2:7,16-17. Two important truths about humanity are made clear in this early passage. First, human beings are made up of the stuff of earth, and our lives are dependent entirely on God. Second, we had an opportunity to be … Continue reading
Devotions 