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Category Archives: compassion
impatient and dismayed
Job 4-5 Eliphaz accuses Job of being impatient and dismayed. The world that Eliphaz knows about is one in which everything happens according to set rules. He cannot imagine a scenario in which a person who is truly righteous is … Continue reading
by popular demand
Judges 10:1-11:3 The difference between this narrative and the others in Judges is that Jepthah’s judgeship seems to be initiated by the people, and God endorses it with his favor. We should not be afraid of doing something that has … Continue reading
service, celebration and devotion
Leviticus 10 The installation rituals for Aaron and his sons involved service and celebration. The service elements were absolutely essential, and the LORD would tolerate no deviation. The sad story of the death of Nadab and Abihu (for offering unauthorized … Continue reading
Posted in church, compassion, consideration of others, ministry, worship
Tagged Leviticus 10
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Abraham: casting out the slave and her son
Genesis 21:1-21. Isaac had been born, and laughter filled Abraham’s house. But some of the laughter appears to have been mocking from Ishmael, who is about 16 years old by now. Sarah is indignant, and orders that he and his … Continue reading
Posted in Abraham, compassion, conflict, dependence upon God, faithfulness, will of God
Tagged Genesis 21
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Abraham: intercessor
Genesis 18:16-33. One of the three “men” who had visited Abraham at Mamre turns out to have been the LORD himself. He sends the other two off to evaluate the spiritual condition of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham stays back with … Continue reading
Posted in Abraham, angels, compassion, deliverance, destruction in hell, Jesus Christ, prayer
Tagged Genesis 18
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the self-condemned need evangelism
Romans 1:18-32. Rome (and everywhere else) contained two types of people: the self-righteous who thought they were better than others, and the self-condemned who were in such bondage to sin that they continued practicing evil – even though they knew … Continue reading
Posted in compassion, destruction in hell, evangelism, faith, gospel, witness
Tagged Romans 1
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the death of heaven’s king
Matthew 27:27-66. What Matthew records about the death of Christ emphasizes how utterly forsaken he was at that time. He did not deserve the punishment he received, nor the abandonment. He endured the pain and shame for us. He was … Continue reading
others and heaven’s king
Matthew 7:1-12. The theme that ties together the varied instructions in this section of the sermon on the mount is others. The disciples will be tempted to look around at others and see their need for correction. Jesus warns them … Continue reading
Posted in compassion, discipleship, grace, love, ministry, missions, witness
Tagged Matthew 7
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taking back the prodigal
Philemon 8-22. Onesimus had not been kidnapped and sold as a slave to Philemon. He was a bondservant. He had found himself in a poor state financially, probably having incurred a debt he could not repay. He needed the help … Continue reading
mercy in ministry
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11. Paul had decided to delay his plans to visit Corinth out of mercy. He felt that a visit soon after his painful letter would only accentuate the condemnation the church members were experiencing. He wanted to give … Continue reading
Posted in church, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, ministry
Tagged 2 Corinthians 1, 2 Corinthians 2
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Devotions 