This week we have been thinking about Daniel 11:32.In the second century B.C., Antiochus IV was working mayhem. He was a cunning man of violence. He desecrated the Jerusalem temple and persecuted the people of God.Some people gave in. Others didn’t. There were resisters. Verse 32 provides this detail: “the people who know their God … Continue reading Take action as the hands and feet of Christ
Standing firm
This week we’re looking at Daniel 11:32. In the second century B.C. the murderous Antiochus IV was wreaking havoc. He was persecuting God’s people and even set up pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple. In response, a group of people resisted and remained true: “the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” Despite … Continue reading Standing firm
Knowing God first
In yesterday’s devotional we looked at Daniel 11:32. In the second century B.C. a vile leader named Antiochus IV was wreaking havoc and destruction. He was persecuting God’s people and even set up pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple. In response, a group of people remained true: “the people who know their God shall stand firm and … Continue reading Knowing God first
Know God, stand firm, take action
On the surface, Daniel 11 is not a happy piece of reading. In it, the archangel Gabriel tells Daniel what is about to happen in the coming centuries. There is a lot of war, bloodshed, political gamesmanship, and persecution. Amongst other things, a vile leader named Antiochus IV, rises to power, desecrates the Jerusalem temple by … Continue reading Know God, stand firm, take action
I have stored up your word in my heart
In his wisdom, God has given us certain things to do. They are for our good. They are a conduit for his grace in our lives. These are things like prayer, reading the Bible, and the Sacraments. There are more, but these are some of the most commonly referenced.Today I’d like to share something with you … Continue reading I have stored up your word in my heart
He treats me as his favorite
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” … Continue reading He treats me as his favorite
Just because you can’t see him working
Ryan Skoog had a friend who went in a mission trip to Russia after the fall of communism. They went to a former gulag, a forced labour camp. Horrible things had happened in that location. Their mission was to deconstruct the prison and repurpose the stones to build a church. Their mission was to make something good … Continue reading Just because you can’t see him working
We are an Easter people
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)“We are an Easter people.” I’m not sure when I first heard that expression, but it was probably when I was in high school. Being “an Easter people” means that the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is the defining aspect of what … Continue reading We are an Easter people
Playing God
[Ministry Announcement in the Footnotes Below] ~ Jim Carey was in a movie called Bruce Almighty. Carey played Bruce, and God was played by Morgan Freeman. In short, Bruce complained to God that he wasn’t doing his job very well. So, in a kind of cosmic experiment, God gave his powers to Bruce to see if … Continue reading Playing God
The fight’s been fixed
Happy Easter! Johnny Hunt once said: “In the end we win because the fight’s been fixed.”*I love it! But what does he mean? He’s referring to the victory of Christ. On the cross and through the empty tomb, he defeated the powers of sin, death, despair, darkness and even the Devil himself. Colossians 2:15 says: “He disarmed … Continue reading The fight’s been fixed
