Foolish Refusal to Repent

“You shall say to them, Thus says the Lord: When men fall, do they not rise again? If one turns away, does he not return? Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return.” (Jeremiah 8:4–5, ESV) In 1973 I attended the United States ArmyContinue reading “Foolish Refusal to Repent”

The Way of Wellness

“For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all theContinue reading “The Way of Wellness”

Misplaced Trust

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’” (Jeremiah 7:3–4, ESV) In my timeContinue reading “Misplaced Trust”

Sowing and Reaping

“Warn the nations that he is coming; announce to Jerusalem, ‘Besiegers come from a distant land; they shout against the cities of Judah. Like keepers of a field are they against her all around, because she has rebelled against me, declares the Lord. Your ways and your deeds have brought this upon you. This isContinue reading “Sowing and Reaping”

Rock Bottom

“But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth evenContinue reading “Rock Bottom”

The Open Door

“Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the Lord your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the Lord. Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and twoContinue reading “The Open Door”

Elevate Others not Self

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3–4, KJV) Years ago, I taught a Sunday school class on the necessity of humility in theContinue reading “Elevate Others not Self”

Sin Catches Up

“But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23, ESV) After Gad and Reuben had committed to go with Israel across the Jordan in the conquest of Canaan. Moses gave them this exhortation in verse 23. If they didContinue reading “Sin Catches Up”

Arming For Battle

“So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian.” (Numbers 31:3, ESV) Our adversary is cunning. Our conflict is real. Our battle is fierce. However, our battle is not against “flesh and blood,” but “against theContinue reading “Arming For Battle”

One Perfect Sacrifice

“These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts, in addition to your vow offerings and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your grain offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.” (Numbers 29:39, ESV) In chapters 28 and 29, Moses records the feasts of Israel andContinue reading “One Perfect Sacrifice”