"A Man Who Was Attacked When He Tried To Protect The Foreigners (Lot)" - By Cameron Piner

"A Man Who Was Attacked When He Tried To Protect The Foreigners (Lot)" - By Cameron Piner

There was once a man who was an immigrant and a foreigner to his current city. He welcomed and cared for other strangers and foreigners whenever they came to town. But, one day, the leaders of the city came to his door and wanted to drag the foreigners out of the house and into the street. The men of the city wanted to harm the foreigners, but this hospitable man protected the foreigners. However, the men of the city were enraged that he wanted to protect the foreigners, so they attacked the man instead, intending to do worse to him than they had originally planned to do to the foreigner. This is a real story, but maybe not the one that you are thinking about. The story that I am talking about was recorded in Genesis 19, and it is a story about Abraham’s nephew, Lot.

"“If you do well, will you not be accepted?” Not all “worship” is the worship of God" - By Carl Ballard

"“If you do well, will you not be accepted?” Not all “worship” is the worship of God" - By Carl Ballard

Life outside the Garden of Eden meant that there was no longer direct contact between the holy God and the people that He had created to bear His image. [cp Gen 1:26-28; 3:8, 24] While we never truly get to witness how Adam and Eve approached God again after their sin, the Bible does register the approach of Cain and Abel with their offerings as they come before Him in worship.

"Adam And Eve Illustrates God And Us" - By Cameron Piner

"Adam And Eve Illustrates God And Us" - By Cameron Piner

This article is going to be about Adam & Eve, I promise. However, I want to start by talking about God for a bit. Because, while the people in the Bible may seem like they are the main characters or heroes of the stories in the Bible; in reality, they are not the main character. God is the Main Character of the Bible. God is the Hero of every story in scripture. Meanwhile, the people, whom we are reading stories about, are there to illustrate different aspects of our God and His relationship with His people. This is true with the story of Adam & Eve as well. So, let’s go on a brief journey to consider some passages about God, then we will come back to talk about Adam & Eve.

"Praying For Spiritual Strength" - By Jim Lukas

"Praying For Spiritual Strength" - By Jim Lukas

Let us take a look at two sets of scripture, Colossians 1:3-14 and Psalms 141, 142, and 143, and look at the message God, via the inspired writers, is giving us concerning the need for spiritual strength.  If we were to summarize this in one statement it would be; we need spiritual strength, not only to grow in understanding of His will, but to follow it despite the influence of the world.

"Psalm 137" - By David Williamson

"Psalm 137" - By David Williamson

1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
    when we remembered Zion.
2 There on the poplars
    we hung our harps,
3 for there our captors asked us for songs,
    our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
    they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

"Giving Thanks For Others, Even When They Have Many Flaws" - Cameron Piner

"Giving Thanks For Others, Even When They Have Many Flaws" - Cameron Piner

In this time of the year, many people are counting their many blessings and giving thanks to God. We may give thanks for the many physical blessings that God has blessed us with (e.g. food, shelter, financial income, etc.). We may give thanks for the many spiritual blessings that God has blessed us with (e.g. salvation, the scriptures, hope, peace, grace, etc.). We may give thanks on behalf of others around us, for the blessings (physical & spiritual) that they have received from God. We may even give thank to God for others around us, who have been a blessing to us. But, do we give thanks for those who currently have so many flaws in their walk with God and with others? - Paul did.

"Unity, Trust, & Prayer" - By Ben Palmer

"Unity, Trust, & Prayer" - By Ben Palmer

This week’s reading plan invites us into Psalms 129–131 and Acts 4:23–31. Let’s walk through them together. Each of the psalms for our reading this week (Psalms 129-131) is a Song of Ascent. These psalms were sung by worshippers journeying to Jerusalem. Each of these psalms contains a common subject of unity.

"Sanctify Them In The Truth" - By Carl Ballard

"Sanctify Them In The Truth" - By Carl Ballard

From the first chapter of the Bible we are introduced to the Holy God who, as Creator, is set apart from His creation and who calls all things into existence by the powerful authority of His word. Not surprisingly, John the Apostle begins his gospel account by drawing our attention back to the beginning, where “the Word was with God, and the Word was God” [John 1:1, ESV]. The glory and the holiness of Jesus the Word are central themes in the gospel of John, and as Jesus lays His heart bare before the Father in John 17 we discover that His own desire is also to glorify His disciples in the holiness of God.

"Psalm 119 & Luke 1" - By Calvin Allen

"Psalm 119 & Luke 1" - By Calvin Allen

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, but it is much more than just a collection of verses. It is an attribution of the writer’s love for God’s Word. Every line lifts up the beauty, power, and necessity of Scripture for daily life. It is written as an acrostic poem using the Hebrew alphabet, the psalm reminds us that God’s truth covers everything from beginning to end—nothing in life falls outside its reach.

"Psalm 116" - By Jared Synan

"Psalm 116" - By Jared Synan

As we proceed in our year of studying prayer, we have a beautifully poignant opportunity to examine Psalm 116 with special interest; as prayer is such a powerful and wonderful opportunity that God has extended to us all, how can we say anything greater than verse 1’s opening: “I love the Lord”? And how blessed are we to truly say the Psalmist’s following words as well, “for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.”! Not only can we have direct communication with almighty God, but He hears us and responds! Verse two says God “turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.” Which speaks to our confidence that, no matter how long our lives last or how often we call on the Lord, He will never tire of our asking or be unable to answer us.

“What ails you, O sea, that you flee?” - João Batista dos Santos (translated by Carl Ballard)

“What ails you, O sea, that you flee?” - João Batista dos Santos (translated by Carl Ballard)

Psalm 114 is one of the songs celebrating the power of God and His sovereignty over all creation. This Psalm reflects the moment God liberated the people of Israel from their slavery in Egypt and how He demonstrated His power along their journey. The Psalm brings us along to reflect on the majesty of God.

"Who Is Like The LORD Our God?" - By Carl Ballard

"Who Is Like The LORD Our God?" - By Carl Ballard

“Praise the Lord!” So begins (and ends!) Psalm 113, the first of what are known as the “Egyptian Hallel” (Psalms 113-118), which are centered on praise to Jehovah for His deliverance of His people from their bondage in Egypt. “Halleluia” – “Praise Jehovah” – is the repeated refrain, because He alone is worthy of such exaltation, and He alone deserves such praise at all times and in every place!

"How Long?" - By Rick Barrows

"How Long?" - By Rick Barrows

It’s the early 1960s. Mom and Dad decide to take all of us on a trip from Fort Worth, Texas up to Gramma‘s house in a little country setting called West Addison just outside of Vergennes, Vermont. The logistics of the trip…over 1700 miles, over 28 hours if you drive straight through over the course of 2 to 3 days, in a 1956 four-door Chevrolet station wagon with no third row seat, no power steering, no power brakes, no cruise control, no GPS, no air conditioning, no seatbelts, seven of us kids ranging in ages from 1 to 9 years, comic books, treats, water in an old metal thermos, Mom and Dad.

"Psalm 103 speaks of mercy, forgiveness, healing, and love" - By David Williamson

"Psalm 103 speaks of mercy, forgiveness, healing, and love" - By David Williamson

Psalm 103 can help someone struggling with addiction. It speaks of mercy, forgiveness, healing, and love. In the midst of the struggle, these words matter. They offer a reminder that God is not quick to anger. He is slow, and He is full of love (vs 8). For someone wrestling with addiction, this matters deeply. They know the weight of shame. They know how hard it is to let go of guilt. But in these words, there is grace.

"Psalm 100 Is A Psalm of Thanksgiving" - By Joe Simpson

"Psalm 100 Is A Psalm of Thanksgiving" - By Joe Simpson

“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness, Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations.”

                                                       Psalm 100 (NASB95)

"Distress And Praise" - By Ben Palmer

"Distress And Praise" - By Ben Palmer

The readings this week led me down two distinct lines of thought. First, the prayers in Lamentations and Psalm 94 have themes of distress and judgement. On the other hand, Psalms 95 and 96 focus on joy and praise of God. From this we can learn how to go to God in times of anguish, and we can learn how to express adoration to the Lord. How can joy in the Lord and sorrow in distress coexist in the Christian life? These passages may help us learn how to understand this tension and take these things to God.

"A Call For Man To Recognize God's Infinite Power" - By Jared Synan

"A Call For Man To Recognize God's Infinite Power" - By Jared Synan

Reading and study on the Psalms can easily seem to be a daunting task; with their variety of subject matter or focus, mix of historical contexts, and powerful emotional impact, they can be intimidating to those unfamiliar with them. However, we know that all scripture is breathed out by God for a specific purpose; some scripture is meant to instruct or guide us in how we should walk, others to illustrate a point or principle, others reassure us that regardless of the chaos around us in the world, that God is in control, and we as believers can fully rest in the assurance of His power. And Psalm 91 is a wonderful and beautiful call for man to recognize God’s infinite power, as well as a potent reminder that we are guarded and protected by His power.

"I have uttered what I did not understand" - By Grady Huggins

"I have uttered what I did not understand" - By Grady Huggins

"And the Lord said to Job: ‘Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.’ … Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 'Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?" (Job 40:1-2,6-8, ESV).