Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men as spies from the Acacia Grove, saying, “Go and scout the land, especially Jericho.” So they left, and they came to the house of a woman, a prostitute named Rahab, and stayed there. Joshua 2:1 Rahab was a harlot or, in other words, a prostitute. She grew up in a pagan Canaanite culture of Jericho. This culture worshipped Baal and other idols. Joshua was the new leader when we first hear about Rahab. How and why did the spies meet Rahab? Read Joshua 2:2-7. What do we learn from this passage? The king of Jericho learned that spies of Israel were there. He…
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Sarah: Part 2
“Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:14 Do you ever move ahead in God’s plans? Do you tend to do what you think God wants you to do, to realize that it wasn’t at all what he wanted you to do? This what Sarah did. She allowed unbelief in God to keep His promise of a child and did her own plan, trying to achieve God’s plan. It didn’t go well for Sarah, and it doesn’t go well for us either. We face a challenge of God’s plan…
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Eve
For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it—in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. Romans 8:20-22 The first woman created- Eve. She will forever be the woman first to sin, who ate the forbidden fruit. Eve was the final part of creation. Then God rested. Eve was made for Adam to be a companion. A helpmate. They were meant to complement one another where the other was weak. Their strengths…
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Advent Day: Twenty – Four
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 This Christmas, what are you expecting? What do you want out of Christmas this year? Of this past year, what is one thing you have learned? One thing I have learned is to love and love with the overflow of God’s love. Matthew 22:35-44 says this, “And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with…
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Advent: Day Twenty – Two
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worship him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:10-12 Christmas!!! The feels of Christmas can be different for everyone. There is excitement, happiness, stress, sadness, and fear. Gifts can add to these feelings. The discontent of “This isn’t what I wanted.” “How are we/I going to pay for all this?” “Where do I…
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Advent: Day Eighteen
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. Luke 2: 15-17 Have you ever been in a nature storm? Either a blizzard, a tornado, hurricane, etc. Years ago, my family and I were on a closed road in the middle of Montana’s winter in a blizzard. We could…
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Advent: Day Seventeen
This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:12-14 The angles declared the glory and splendor of God. This year for us humans, we will get to see the Christmas star according to the internet. I really don’t know what people are expecting. I think about the night Jesus was born and all the splendor and majestic it must have been. Can I really grasp…
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Advent: Day Sixteen
And shepherds were living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11 The angel brought the shepherds good news. The angel proclaimed to them that the Messiah had been born. This was a joyful night. What exactly is this great…
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Advent: Day Fifteen
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7 The arrival! In Luke 2, Jesus arrives. How exciting is this? The Savior was born. He was born in a humbling way. Jesus was born in the barn in Jerusalem. He was wrapped in cloths and placed in a manger where animals ate their food. Not a place you would think a king should be born or even laid to sleep! Joseph and Mary knew this baby boy was special. Did they really comprehend how special or what the…
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Advent: Day Twelve
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sonship because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son to our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So, you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7 Adoption! This process to become a family really is a special way. After adopting 5 children, to me, it is saying, “We choose you, no matter what.” It’s a…