Focal Passage: Exodus 5:1-4; 6:2-9 People crave freedom. Unfortunately, many desire an auto- cracy where they answer to no one but themselves. In the poem, “Invictus,” William Ernest Henley declared, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” Ironically, I have most often heard this poem read over dead men’s caskets. Pharaoh proved to be such a man. Pharaoh quickly admitted (Exodus 5:2) that
Focal Passage: Isaiah 8:20-9:7 I was in high school the first time I heard a live performance of Handel’s Messiah. The climax was The Hallelujah Chorus; everyone stood. But I’d been even more impressed earlier as the tympani drummer in the orchestra pounded the rhythm and the exuberant choir sang: “And His name shall be called, WONDERFUL! COUNSELOR! THE MIGHTY GOD! THE EVERLASTING FATHER! THE PRINCE OF PEACE!” Those words
Focal Passage: Exodus 2:23-25; 3:7-15 “But you promised! Remember?” Have you ever been reminded of a promise made in a moment of desperation that you had quickly forgotten? Whether is was part of negotiating with your child for better behavior or better grades, it clearly meant more to them than it did to you! Did you notice in Exodus 2 that it was God who remembered His promise? After 430
Focal Passage: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 This is the first of six Bible Studies for Life entitled: Looking Forward to CHRISTmas. (I always spell it “CHRISTmas,” by the way. For years I have put CHRIST in all caps. It’s a reminder to me and everyone that we are not the reason for the season, He is. After all, it’s not “ChristmUS!” ) Looking Forward is a good choice of words; we
Focal Passages: Psalm 30 We turn our attention this last lesson of the fall quarter to Thanksgiving, a favorite holiday for many believers. Psalm 30 highlights many reasons for God’s children to be grateful. Entitled “A Dedication Song for the House,” this Psalm of David focuses on the individual’s thanksgiving to God for deliverance and healing. Rescued from destruction. We may not have armies encompassing us, threatening our safety
Focal Passage: Acts 26:19-29 There are many things in life that demand a response. We are faced with these things each and every day of our lives. Some of them are small things that alter our lives very little. Then there are the big things that completely change the direction and outcome of our very existence. And of course, there is everything in the middle, each having varying effects on
Focal Passage: Genesis 42:3-5, 21-24a, 45:1-5 The story of Joseph and his brothers teaches us that it is better to work toward restoration and reconciliation than to seek revenge. While Hollywood can earn millions with a movie plot centered on a protagonist seeking to claim vengeance, God demonstrates through the gospel that reconciliation and forgiveness leads to the greatest story ever told. God often uses crisis to bring about reconciliation.
Focal Passage: Acts 22:7-21 I can remember growing up and how I loved getting together as a family for the holidays and other occasions. It was a special time and the evenings were my favorite. That’s when everyone would share stories. Some were funny, some were sad, but all of them were interesting. You can learn so much from just listening. You can also discover things about your heritage and
Focal Passages: Genesis 37:1-4, 18-24, 31-34 The greatest family dynamic in the Book of Genesis must be Joseph and his brothers. God demonstrates His faithfulness even through betrayal, setbacks and suffering. This story also illustrates that family reconciliation is possible, even in the most extreme cases, when the love and grace of the Lord God comes into play. That happy ending for Joseph and his brothers is for next week’s
Focal Passage: Acts 20:18-32 One of the hardest things a parent has to do is to release a child into the world to face life on their own. No longer are we be able to shield them from the harsh realities, heartaches and heartbreaks of the fallen world in which we live. No longer can we stand guard at the door of their lives and fight off those who would
Focal Passage: Exodus 5:1-4; 6:2-9 People crave freedom. Unfortunately, many desire an auto- cracy where they answer to no one but themselves. In the poem,
Focal Passage: Isaiah 8:20-9:7 I was in high school the first time I heard a live performance of Handel’s Messiah. The climax was The Hallelujah
Focal Passage: Exodus 2:23-25; 3:7-15 “But you promised! Remember?” Have you ever been reminded of a promise made in a moment of desperation that you
Focal Passage: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 This is the first of six Bible Studies for Life entitled: Looking Forward to CHRISTmas. (I always spell it “CHRISTmas,”
Focal Passages: Psalm 30 We turn our attention this last lesson of the fall quarter to Thanksgiving, a favorite holiday for many believers. Psalm 30
Focal Passage: Acts 26:19-29 There are many things in life that demand a response. We are faced with these things each and every day of
Focal Passage: Genesis 42:3-5, 21-24a, 45:1-5 The story of Joseph and his brothers teaches us that it is better to work toward restoration and reconciliation
Focal Passage: Acts 22:7-21 I can remember growing up and how I loved getting together as a family for the holidays and other occasions. It
Focal Passages: Genesis 37:1-4, 18-24, 31-34 The greatest family dynamic in the Book of Genesis must be Joseph and his brothers. God demonstrates His faithfulness
Focal Passage: Acts 20:18-32 One of the hardest things a parent has to do is to release a child into the world to face life
