Accepting Discipline

Deuteronomy 8:5 (NET) - Be keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, so the Lord your God disciplines you.God made his people wander in the wilderness for forty years.But God never abandoned them.When they were hungry, God gave them manna to eat.Their clothing never wore out.Their feet never swelled.Wandering was God’s way of disciplining His people.Before they could move forward, they had to learn discipline.Yet during this period of discipline, God still provided for them.The same was true for the followers of Christ.They too had to learn discipline.In fact, if you look closely,...

Wants, Needs, and Gratitude

Exodus 23:25a (NET) - You must serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water,This portion of scripture caught my attention.It caught my attention for three reasons.First, it reminded me that the blessing was for necessities and not luxuries.Second, this seems to reverse the punishment that befell Adam due to his disobedience (Genesis 3). Third, was its preceding verse which lends it context.Exodus 23:24 (NET) - You must not bow down to their gods; you must not serve them or do according to their practices. Instead you must completely overthrow them and smash their...

Getting on with the Job

I am in my final week of preparation to lead an Adult study on Dietrich Bonhoeffer.Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian who actively resisted the Nazi regime.In time, he and other members of this resistance were imprisoned.Although he was locked away, Bonhoeffer ministered to both his guards and fellow prisoners.He also spent his time authoring books, papers, and letters.Through his writing, we see that God continued to use this man.In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we see that he too was imprisoned.He continued the work God gave him to do.In fact, his letters account for a good part...