Letter of the Law

I spent a lot of my life as a doer. Even as a young child, I was a stickler for rules and had to share the rules with others who I noticed were not complying. To me, there was a right way and a wrong way. There were boundaries, rules set in place for a … Continue reading Letter of the Law →

A Strange Thing

In Hosea 8, we read that Ephraim had “multiplied altars for sin” (v. 11). They built altars, but they certainly were not worshiping God as He desired. The altars were “altars of sinning.” Oh how the things that could be useful for good can be used for evil just the same. What a great reminder … Continue reading A Strange Thing →

Accusations

After we read about the sinfulness of God’s people in the beginning of the fourth chapter of Hosea, there is this one verse that follows which talks about accusations. The verse says, “let no one contend, and let none accuse.” Then we read the reason why. The contention has a place—it is towards the priest. … Continue reading Accusations →

Crinkling Plastic

As I turned around to head out the door and walk my sister out, I told the dogs to stay. Max and Marci both stopped and stood at attention. They immediately obeyed my words and I continued onward to see my sister out. But as I was opening the door and saying goodbye, I could … Continue reading Crinkling Plastic →

Old Shorts

As you look through old clothing, you might find a pair of old shorts that are not even able to be donated. They are beyond salvageable. They are discolored. They are frayed. They have holes. The fabric is worn hard and perhaps stained. They are worthless. God had Jeremiah take a linen belt, or for … Continue reading Old Shorts →

Stuck in Illusion

There are many illusions in the world today. The media is great at producing illusions. Magazines. Newspapers. Television. Just watch a reality television show and you will likely see an illusion. There is a deceptive appearance. You are made to think certain things, to perceive something that is actually false. Sometimes it is hard to … Continue reading Stuck in Illusion →

Tooth and Nail

Did you ever fight tooth and nail for something? Perhaps there was some injustice in the world that caused you to stand up and boldly state your resistance. Maybe you had a circumstance arise that demanded you fight hard. Today’s passage speaks of a love for God’s law, a love that causes one to fight … Continue reading Tooth and Nail →

Troublemakers

One of my favorite books of the Bible is 1 Kings. Not so long ago I was led to make a Bible study for the book and it was a great journey through God’s Word. We are introduced to Elijah in 1 Kings and we see a lot unfold. From the moment he is on … Continue reading Troublemakers →