Sabotage

Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn. (Matthew 13:30) Read: Genesis 41:17-42:17, Matthew 13:24-46, Psalm 18:1-15, Proverbs 4:1-6 Relate: Right around the beginning of the nineteenth century, the industrial revolution started picking up steam…

Essentials

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20) Read: Genesis 24:52-26:16, Matthew 8:18-34, Psalm 10:1-15, Proverbs 3:7-8 Relate: I have both read and heard a story of a bunch of radical college students who took on a crazy mission, but it has…

Chill

So don’t worry. Don’t say, ‘What will we eat?’ Or, ‘What will we drink?’ Or, ‘What will we wear?’ People who are ungodly run after all those things. Your Father who is in heaven knows that you need them. But put God’s kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all those things will…

Tough Love

But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your coat is taken from you, give your shirt, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. (Matthew…

Starting Small

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. (Zechariah 4:10) Read: Zechariah 4:1-5:11, Revelation 14:1-20, Psalm 142:1-7, Proverbs 30:21-23 Relate: Small beginnings. Zechariah is talking about the beginning of the rebuilding of the Temple when God makes that prophesy through him. Those old enough were able to remember the former Temple. Those too young to…

Among You… Crazy As That Sounds

 The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem,  for I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Hosts sent me to you. (Zechariah 2:10-11)…

You Got Your Days Wrong

Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the cornerstone of the Lord’s Temple was laid. Think carefully. I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from…