Putting God to the Test

If you want to put the Lord to the test, just ask one simple question, “Is the Lord among us or not?” The people of God in Exodus, chapter 17, were thirsting in the wilderness. They took it as a sign that God had abandoned them. They cried out to Moses for help. God told…

Tempting Trivia

It would make a great Bible trivia question: “What is the only time mentioned in the Bible where the devil speaks directly to a human being?” The answer: In Genesis, chapter three where the devil speaks directly to Eve: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD…

Living the Baptismal Life

In my faith tradition early January is when we talk about Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (See Matthew 3:13-17) and our own baptisms. In Romans chapter six Paul writes: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead…

Born to Redeem

“And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21) Jsus’ circumcision was probably the most important thing that Jesus did under the Old Testament Jewish ceremonial law. Many of his fellow Jews rejected him…

Beautiful Feet

The Old Testament reading for Christmas Day includes the following verse from Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” (Isaiah 52:7) When it comes to things of beauty in God’s…