In the wilderness, the Israelites were the direct recipients of God’s great generosity. God provided manna, which was much needed sustenance. There was no hope of storing it up, but there was enough to live on, and even thrive. God directly cared for the community, enabling it to serve him as a unique and holy [...]

We’ve probably all heard infamous stories of meddling mother-in-laws, ones who resemble the humorous example in the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.” This particular television show positions a young couple and their children right across the street from the husband’s overbearing parents. The mother-in-law constantly criticizes the daughter-in-law in that “bless your heart” backhanded kind of [...]

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13John 15:13English: Contemporary English Version (1999) – CEV13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.WP-Bible plugin Love. It is the greatest virtue. It is the topic of countless songs and the subject of myriad poems. There [...]

…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:71 Samuel 16:7English: Contemporary English Version (1999) – CEV7 But the Lord told him, “Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others [...]

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Early the [...]