“…so that you may believe.”

Over the past year, it seems that many people have died; many good people. The questions always lurk at the back of my mind: Why does God allow this? Why is it that so many people have to die? Many of them were faithful believers and kind-hearted people. Why them? I know the typical answer:…

Genealogies: Really Free

Exodus 13:1, 2; NET1 - The LORD spoke to Moses: "Set apart to me every firstborn male - the first offspring of every womb among the Israelites, whether human or animal; it is mine." A lamb died, it's blood used on the doorposts, so that the firstborn of the Israelites would be spared. Something/someone had…

Genealogies: Fresh

Genesis 49:29-33; NET29 - Then he instructed them, "I am about to go to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 30 - It is the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought for a burial…

Genealogies: The Big Reveal

After Judah's appeal, Joseph could take it no longer. He ordered every one of his attendants to leave the room. That left him alone with his brothers. I can imagine the tension in the air between his brothers as they watched this grown man break down and weep right in front of them. Apparently, he…

Genealogies: Even When it Hurts the Most

Jacob's life has not been an easy one to live. And unfortunately, it's not about to get any easier. Genesis 35:16-20; NET16 - They traveled on from Bethel, and when Ephrath was still some distance away, Rachel went into labor -- and her labor was hard. 17 - When her labor was at its hardest,…

Our Awesome God

Life is full of trials and tribulations, but there are gems. The pain is often never-ending and uncertainty for the future never goes away, but there are jewels of joy through it all. There is happiness amidst the pain, joy throughout the sadness. Sure life isn't always blue skies and sunshine but it's not always…

What Is To Come

I'm glad this life is only a breath. I'm glad our days on this earth are only as vapor to God. I'm glad this life won't last forever. We look at the world around us and how fear has gripped the hearts of many, diseases run rampant, debt swallows families, hate and turmoil result in…

Genealogies: Sarah’s Burial

As time passed, Abraham had received word of his brother Nahor's growing family. And as Nahor's family grew, Abraham wept for the loss of his wife, Sarah. She had died at the age of 127 there in the land of Canaan. Abraham decided he wanted a proper burial place for his wife, so he went…

Genealogies: At Beersheba

We missed the past couple days! But that's O.K., we're back this morning getting into some more of Abraham's story. This part happens around the time that Hagar had left, finding her well in the wilderness and the voice of God. Genesis 21:22-34; NLT22 - About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander,…

Genealogies: You’re a Dead Man!

This morning we are back to our man, Abraham and unfortunately, it looks like he's up to no good! Genesis 20:1-71 - Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, 2 - Abraham introduced his…