You’re Beautiful, it’s true!
The book of Ruth
“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” Psalms 149:4
In our studies this week, we are transitioning from Genesis and the Abrahamic Covenant to the story of Ruth and Boaz. Not only is Ruth and Boaz an epic love story but it’s a story that places the continuance of God to fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant on a pedestal. It’s all connected. The essence of the Old Testament is the perseverance of God to fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant over many centuries leading to the inauguration of the New Covenant through our Messiah, Jesus.Read more
Psalms 95
Psalms 95
There is a clear calling to us to worship. Worship involves action on our part. It involves movement, emotion and effort. Some of our churches over-emphasis the somber aspects of worship while looking down on emotional actions of worship. Other Churches over-emphasis the overt aspects of bodily movement in worship. Psalms 95 calls us to both. Read more
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Genesis 15, 17
Abrahamic Covenant, take 3
Last time we looked at chapter 12 where God introduced the covenant as a blessing of 1) Abram’s seed (ultimately the Messiah), 2) promised land, 3) a great nation and 4) blessings and protection (for Abram specifically and the nation in general). Moving forward to chapter 15, God ratifies the covenant. In other words, He makes it official, per se. Read more
The Gospel in Genesis
Genesis 12
Abrahamic Covenant, Take 2
The genealogy of chapter 11 leads from Noah to Abram over approximately 400 years. He is in his homeland, Ur of the Chaldeans, when God calls him. In 12:1-3 we read the initial calling of God of the Abrahamic Covenant. This covenant will be rolled out by God over the next 20 years. It’s just like God to call you to the first step of His plan without giving you the full picture of the plan. Read more
Our Heritage
50 years ago, I used to love going to 7-11 to get a slurpee. 25 years ago, I took my daughters. This week my grandsons wanted to get a slurpee. There are few things that have transcended decades with similar appeal.
The Abrahamic Covenant, Take One
Genesis 12, 15, 17
This section of immensely significant scripture reminds me of a recent experience. I met a man at our new club at Cordillera Ranch in Boerne, TX. With great zeal, he revealed his heritage as Icelandic. When I told him my mother was 100% Icelandic, his face lit up. He started talking in detail about his heritage and asking me questions. Read more
Babel
"Big Al" my friend for life! He visited us in The Woodlands a couple of weeks ago.
Genesis 9 - 11
Since I’ve committed to daily time with God, I find that sometimes I go through dry spells. I’ve been reading these chapters this week without much to say about them. Consequently, not much to reflect on and apply to my life. It’s probably a combination of scriptures without devotional meat plus, just mentally, I’m a little spiritually flat. Read more
Blessings
Genesis 9
This is an interesting chapter. Several issues are brought forth in the text that set up God’s plan for life on a post-flood earth. Interestingly, the issues set forth are not politically correct according to current left-leaning views. However, the more important theme of this section is the blessings of God. What does it mean to be blessed of God?Read more
Life Together
It's high school graduation time. This one is from May. 1977.
Genesis 8
It rained for 40 days and 40 nights but the “water prevailed upon the earth for one hundred and fifty days,” 7:24. Prevailed seems to mean that the water reached its height above the highest mountains. No creature that breathed through its nostrils survived unless they were on the ark. It took another couple months for the water to recede below the mountaintops, (8:4,5). It was 378 days before the land was dry and God told Noah that he and the occupants could leave the ark. That’s a long time.Read more
The Flood
What does this pic teach you? Trust? Innovate? Creativity? Some things you just can't do alone?
Genesis 7
This is the flood chapter. The primary devotional thought that emerged for me was the joy of obedience. Chapter 6 ended with the statement, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” Then a few verses later in 7:5, “Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him.” Three times; Noah did, Noah did, Noah did. In the most difficult situation I can imagine, Noah obeyed God. Read more