Hur is of the tribe of Judah. This struck me as significant because Hur, along with Aaron, held up Moses arms during Israel's first ever battle as a Nation.
After the Nation of Israel passed safely through the Red Sea, the Amaleks came and fought against them. Moses told Joshua to choose men to fight the battle, and he (Moses) would station himself . . .
Read MoreRomance and redemption are the themes of Hosea. And, yes, there is even a happily ever after!
Hosea’s two marriages are a picture of Israel and the church, both are “brides” of God. Israel as the unfaithful wife and God as the Faithful Husband is a familiar allegory in the prophetic books. The prophet Hosea lives out that allegory . . . .
Read MoreWe have the great privilege and delight, because of Christ’s sacrifice, to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him, the God of the Universe!
Christ’s love for us is deeply intimate. His love for us soars . . .
Read MoreMy spiritual journals over the years are peppered with pleas that I would not deny Christ, like Peter did. And that I would not depart from the Lord in my old age, like Solomon did. Especially this last year, I have had many conversations with the Lord about “finishing well.” . . . .
Read MoreApparently there are whole armies of war-faring angels. I have read over Jesus’ reference to “twelve legions of angels” probably hundreds of times without wondering why. Why does heaven have armies?
Heaven doesn’t need defending. . . .
Read MoreWhen my children were young, I would tell them that God’s rules are our umbrella of protection. If we follow God’s rules, then He covers us. But if we step out from underneath His umbrella of protection, then we make ourselves vulnerable.
These verses from Proverbs are even better imagery. When we follow God’s ways, He becomes our Personal Bodyguard. He is protecting and guarding us as we choose what is right. . . .
Read MoreGod pierced Adam’s side to give him a bride. And the Last Adam - Jesus Christ - His side was pierced to give Him a bride!
Blood and water came out of our Lord Jesus’ side. It was His redemptive blood and the water of His Word that gave us life – spiritual life. I have a fresh understanding . . .
Read MoreAs others are making New Year’s resolutions, I am making New Year’s declarations.
Declarations speak the promises of God as fact in our lives, no matter how things look or feel. Speaking declarations is how we partner with the will of God to see change our lives.
Speaking declarations is an excellent way to overcome anxiety and produce joy (Pr. 12:28). Speaking declarations releases life wherever we go (Pr. 18:21). And declarations are essential to entering our “promised land” (Joshua 1:8).
So here are the declarations that I am going to speak over my life this year: . . .
Read MoreMary, the Mother of Jesus, foreshadows the Christian Life!
Why have I never seen this before? When the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary with Baby Jesus, He was foreshadowing Jesus coming to live inside of us once we accept Him.
Like Mary, we will be misunderstood and scorned at times. But, Oh, the joy of having Jesus . . .
Read MoreI love the Christmas season so much that it breaks my heart to hear people say, “I’m just trying to get through the holidays.” Because I eagerly anticipate the focus on Jesus and the time with family, I am saddened to know that many people actually dread the Christmas season. If that’s you, I want to encourage you . . .
Read MoreIn these verses, God is commanding that specially prepared oil be continuously brought for the priest to keep the menorah – the lamp – continuously lit. Hanukkah commemorates the miraculous provision of this specially prepared oil after the Maccabean Revolt.
About a hundred years after Alexander the Great conquered the Holy Land, his successors had long departed from his relatively benevolent rule. Antiochus Epiphanies prohibited the practice of the Jewish religion and tortuously murdered . . .
Read MoreThis passage encourages me today. Like Habakkuk, I’ve been standing and praying for “my people” for decades. I had begun to despair over my vision for my loved ones.
God’s answer to Habakkuk encourages me greatly: . . .
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