The Cost of Following

A young lady in England was considering becoming a missionary and wrote a letter to Amy wondering what the life was like. Amy simply wrote back, “Missionary life is simply a chance to die.”

Kingdom’s Advance

He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” (Luke 13:20-21) Read: Deuteronomy 33:1-29, Luke 13:1-21, Psalm 78:65-72, Proverbs 12:25  Relate: When the disciples asked their master…

Not Peace, But…

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. (Luke 12:51) Read: Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59, Psalm 78:56-64, Proverbs 12:24 Relate: One of the friendliest guys I have met recently is a man I am going to call Joe. Joe is a Muslim but the way IS is acting almost…

Luke 12:4-5 (Fear)

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. (Luke 12:4-5) Read: Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20,…

No Entry

“No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants for ten generations may be admitted to the assembly of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 23:3) Read: Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19, Luke 10:13-37, Psalm 75:1-10, Proverbs 12:12-14 Relate: I want to quote something from the end of the book of Ruth: Boaz was the father of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of…

Like A Child

Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest. (Luke 9:48) Read: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20, Luke 9:28-50, Psalm 73:1-28, Proverbs 12:10 Relate: I had been walking for quite a while and…

Psalm 66:16 (Testimony Time)

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. (Psalms 66:16) Read: Numbers 36:1-13, Deuteronomy 1:1-46, Luke 5:29-6:11, Psalm 66:1-20, Proverbs 11:24-26 Relate: We were climbing a cliff. It wasn’t impossibly steep and it was only about 70 to the top so the three of us decided to go…

Luke 2:52 (Royal Rangers)

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. (Luke 2:52) Read: Numbers 26:1-51, Luke 2:36-52, Psalm 60:1-12, Proverbs 11:15 Relate: There is something to be said for order, tradition, and repetition. Normally, I’m not a big fan of two out of those three, but there are times, places, and…

The Unlovables

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) Read: Numbers 4:1 – 5:31, Mark 12:18-37, Psalm 48:1-14, Proverbs 10:26 Relate: Some people are easy to like. They just exude charm. It…

Iconoclasm

Do not make idols or set up carved images, or sacred pillars, or sculptured stones in your land so you may worship them. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 26:1) Read: Leviticus 25:47-27:13, Mark 10:32-52, Psalm 45:1-17, Proverbs 10:22   Relate: Emperor Leo III overthrew his predecessor to save the Kingdom. Byzantium had been severely mismanaged and was…