In Genesis 18, the Lord (in the form of 3 men) visits Abraham. The Lord restates His promise that Abraham will have a son by Sarah and says this will happen in a year (Gen. 18:10). When Sarah hears this, she laughs: “After I have become shriveled up and my lord is old, will I…
Category: Old Testament
A Cut Above the Rest
“This is My covenant, which you are to keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you: Every one of your males must be circumcised. You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and you” (Gen. 17:10-11). Genesis 17 introduces circumcision. The flesh of…
Surrogate
Genesis 16 tells the story of Abram and Hagar, Sarai’s slave. In chapter 15, we saw God’s promise to Abram: “one who comes from your own body will be your heir” (Gen. 15:4). We don’t know how much time elapsed between the giving of the promise and the events of chapter 16. It simply opens…
The Comings and Goings of Wind
Fire, wind, and an earthquake happened because of God’s presence but God was not in them (1 Kings 19:11-12). Manifestations or experiential hallmarks of God’s presence are not God. Signs follow those who believe but signs are not God (Mark 16:17). Jesus healed many people but healing is not Jesus. Jesus is healing. Jesus raised…
Gremlins, Leeches, and the Failure of the Serenity Prayer
I have a toddler. Anyone who has raised one knows it is among the most exhausting things you will ever do. They are in constant motion—usually in the wrong direction. Whether toward danger or irresponsibility they jigger gigglingly toward it. Toddlers survive because parents constantly jerk their verbal leashes and, sometimes, their literal…
Incense
Crushed and broken Pulverized Laid on the altar Set on fire There’s nothing left but smoke to rise Everything consumed but fragrance and light Not I Christ
Passover for Third Graders–Cameron Fultz
Cameron Fultz is a friend and author of several books, including Jesus Pictures. Jesus Pictures looks at the stories in the Bible as pictures of Jesus. We have not fully understood any passage of the Bible until we’ve seen Jesus in it. This is only possible as the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to our hearts through the…
Head Covering
While wandering the internet I stumbled across a blog advocating that women cover their heads. Naturally, 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 was the author’s text— But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved. So if a woman’s head is not…
One from Your Own Body
In Genesis 15, Abram laments that he has no son, and that a household servant will be his heir. But the Lord said, “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir” (Gen. 15:4). Isaac was the immediate fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to Abram….
Whose House?
Years back, the Lord opened the book of Haggai to me in new ways. (See the booklet “Haggai: Feast” for more about that). Verse 1:4 is probably the heart of the book: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” The temple was…
The Voice of One 