Leaving your past behind to find a great new beginning with God!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, Part 1
“By faith he [Moses] kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them” (Hebrews 11:28).
Idea: Old symbols can take on new meanings.
Purpose: To help listeners understand how symbols can take on wider meaning.
How To Get A New Heart
A friend who is a heart transplant cardiologist has an appreciation of Ezekiel 36:26 that not many of us can understand. Mike manages the pre-operation and post-operation care for heart-transplant patients. He’s often in the operating room as surgeons remove diseased, discolored hearts and replace them with vibrant, pink “new” donor hearts.
The historical significance communion holds for the follower of Christ
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
“By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them” (Hebrews 11:28).
Idea: Moses acted by faith when he instituted the Passover.
Purpose: To help listeners understand why the Passover represented an act of faith.
A Man Of Warmth And Wisdom
When Dr. Vernon Grounds, former president and chancellor of Denver Seminary, went to be with the Lord at age 96, tributes and remembrances poured in from former students, colleagues, and friends. Almost everyone recalled a time when Dr. Grounds had personally encouraged them through his teaching, his counsel, or simply his warm smile. He believed in the value of training pastors, teachers, and counselors who had a vital relationship with Christ and a willingness to serve others.
Looking at the very first Passover to find parallels with Jesus Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb
Monday, February 27, 2012, Part 2
“Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8).
We have not been redeemed “from [our] aimless conduct received by tradition from [our] fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Idea: Passover is a significant celebration for both Jews and Christians.
Purpose: To help listeners appreciate the significance of the Passover.
Not My Kind
In the Star Wars trilogy there’s a scene that reminds me of some church people I know. At an establishment somewhere in a remote corner of the galaxy, grotesque-looking creatures socialize over food and music. When Luke Skywalker enters with his two droids, C3PO and R2D2 (who are more “normal” than anyone else there), he is surprisingly turned away with a curt rebuff: “We don’t serve their kind here!”
The Devil In Court
The Devil and Daniel Webster” is a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet. In it, Jabez Stone, a New England farmer, has such “bad luck” that he sells his soul to the devil to become prosperous. Eventually, the devil comes to collect Jabez’s debt. But the eminent lawyer Daniel Webster is called in to defend him. Through a skillful series of arguments, Webster wins the case against the devil, and Jabez is saved from perdition.
Let Down Your Hair
Shortly before Jesus was crucified, a woman named Mary poured a bottle of expensive perfume on His feet. Then, in what may have been an even more daring act, she wiped His feet with her hair (John 12:3). Not only did Mary sacrifice what may have been her life’s savings, she also sacrificed her reputation.
Why Passover is still such a significant holiday today
Friday, February 24, 2012, Part 1
“Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8).
We have not been redeemed “from [our] aimless conduct received by tradition from [our] fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Idea: Passover is a significant celebration for both Jews and Christians.
Purpose: To help listeners appreciate the significance of the Passover.
Discover why it’s crucial to believe what we cannot see
Thursday, February 23, 2012, Part 2
Idea: What we do not see may be more significant than what we do see.
Purpose: To help listeners realize that what was true of Moses in his leadership can be true for us today.
In our previous conversation, we discussed a problem we face in Hebrews 11:27: “By faith [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.”
Help Needed
During World War II, the British Isles represented the last line of resistance against the sweep of Nazi oppression in Europe. Under relentless attack and in danger of collapse, however, Britain lacked the resources to see the conflict through to victory. For that reason, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill went on BBC radio and appealed to the world: “Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.”
The fears Moses faced, and overcame!
I’m sure you’ve been there. You’re about to make a decision, you’re ready for that change in your life, and something stops you. Often, we’re afraid of the repercussions.
An Ordinary Guy
Steve was just an ordinary guy. He quietly served in a church I attended years ago. He helped prepare communion, shoveled the church sidewalks in the winter, and mowed the lawn in the summer. He spent time with teenage boys who had no fathers in the home. I often heard him telling people at church in his quiet way how good the Lord was to him. During prayer meeting he didn’t talk much about himself but would ask us to pray for those he was telling about Jesus’ forgiveness and love.
Details about Moses’ life that could have some big implications
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Idea: Those who are close to us have a greater capacity to make us fear than those who are opposed to us.
Purpose: To help listeners realize that no leader can go it alone.
Slacker?
While studying the book of Proverbs in my small-group Bible study, our leader suggested that we change the description of a lazy person from a sluggard to a slacker (6:6,9). Ah, now he was speaking my lingo. I immediately started thinking of all the people I consider to be slackers.
