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Let’s look again at the Luke passage. Remember this is a parable. Jesus is attempting to teach people God loves them with a desperate love that willingly forgives and wants His children to be like Him. But, I believe we can ask the Holy Spirit to teach us other things by examining this parable. 1. Do you think the younger son learned to accept being a son who had no wealth but could still be satisfied to know he had the intense love of his father? 2. Do you think the older son came to u...
I have often wished I could go back to the Garden of Eden. I am not saying I would have done better than Adam and Eve. My desire is not for the fruits and vegetables although I like them. Of course I would be glad not to have to deal with weeds, thorns, thistles, insects and the like. I’d be glad not to experience tiredness after a long hard day and to suffer no sunburn, or pain from bumps, and bruises. But the thing I would desire most is to have that “walk and talk” with God in the garde...
I wish we could sit at our dining room table and do Bible Study together. We have had quite a number of these over the years. I think sitting around the table is a great place and way to work at understanding the unfolding of God’s Word. I also like small groups because folks are freer to share. We are into the pre-Christmas Season. My “Thoughts” for the Herald are due. I often look at the personalities involved in the Christmas Story, those in the immediate portion of the Story and those who l...
Scripture tells us to give thanks to God in all things. We accept that normally but sometimes when something bad happens, we have more trouble. A favorite verse is Romans 8:28. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (NIV) This helps us understand even in the bad God works for the good of those who love Him. There can be two results in this: One way is for us to try to figure out exactly what God intends to do...
I started thinking I would write about a “heroine” this time. But as I got to working on it, I thought I might also mention the hero. Before you know it, I got the third person involved. The whole story is found in the Old Testament book of Ruth. Ruth would have been my heroine. She does not have typical qualifications so far as we can tell. She is a foreigner, poor, illiterate, with no family connections, or other star-power status. We have no idea about her looks. But she has qualities that make her my heroine. As noted, she is a for...
One more “Thought” about Daniel, my hero. He is living under the reign of King Darius. He is now an old man. He has been a faithful servant to God and to the king who was sovereign in the land. Several times and in various ways he has helped his kings. He is doing so again. The king has appointed 120 men to serve as overseers in his kingdom. These men were charged with doing whatever would be good for the king and kingdom, to protect it and him from harm and danger. Over these 120, three men...
Another episode: Daniel lived under at least three kings by now. God and Daniel strongly influenced Nebuchadnezzar. That was not the case in this reign. Daniel had been pushed aside. I am sure it was because this king, Belshazzar, lived a wicked life. He wanted no influence for good in his life. Of course it is the job of God-fearing people to influence others. It was the job of Jews. It has become the job of the Church. Unfortunately when the Jews were not living godly lives, they had no influence. The Church in our country must make major...
Most heroes develop during a lifetime and are not declared heroes until their adult years. Not so for my hero today. We meet him in his early teen years. He has gone through major trauma. He was taken prisoner after his home, and likely most of his family, and nation have been destroyed. He was marched hundreds of miles into strange surroundings facing a strange culture and language. He was not bereft of friends. He does have three good ones. Here is his dilemma: He is faced with a requirement...
I want to look at another of my heroes. First we look at three others. I take them as a group because it is impossible to separate them. They are Hananiah, Mischael, and Azariah. You may not know them, at least not by their Hebrew names. If I told you they were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego you might recognize them better. Actually, their Hebrew names are used more often in their introduction than their Babylonian names but for some reason, the Babylonian names are more familiar. They were...
My hero continues to grow. Joseph has come to Egypt as a slave at age seventeen. By the age of 30, he rose to be Prime Minister of Egypt. That is a marvel. He did it without doing violence to anyone. But this is not the reason I see him as a hero. He has interpreted Pharaoh’s dream. Pharaoh recognized there would be no one in a better position to get Egypt through the years ahead than Joseph for Joseph worshipped God and God blest Joseph. We have now gone through the seven years of abundant h...
My hero does not seem to have good fortune in the beginnings of these "Thoughts." Last time he was a slave. This time he is in prison. He is here because he was falsely accused of molesting his master's wife. Remember it was she who attempted to seduce him. He refused and fled. She accused him of the deed. His master acted on her accusation and had him thrown into prison. I wonder a bit if we have the whole story. The normal penalty for Joseph would have been death. So, perhaps Potiphar doubted...
Here stands my seventeen-year-old-hero in chains, wearing only underwear. His outerwear was taken by his brothers to deceive his father into believing he is dead. He is in chains because he is sold into slavery. He is bought by the captain of Pharaoh's body guard. This man is certainly a strict disciplinarian. He will brook no insubordination, mistakes, or inefficiency. Things could not be much worse. There is one bright hope: Joseph has not been forsaken by his God. He is in a strange land,...
My hero this time is Joseph. He is a bona fide hero to many thousands. But that is in a few decades. I need to tell you about his growing up years. They made him a more impressive hero. His parents had a very deep love for one another and that should of made his life wonderful. It was not so. His home life was a shambles. His maternal grandfather was not a good man. He deceived Joseph’s father into marrying his mother’s sister. As a result of that and other consequences, Joseph grew up with his...
Perhaps you will not think this hero of mine worthy to be called a hero. Even he did not think himself important. When he spoke with the “angel of the Lord,” he said of himself, “… my family is poor in Manasseh, I am the least of my father’s house.” In other words, “I am the least, of the least, of the least.” Not very great credentials for the title “hero.” But as is so often the case, God sees things in people they cannot see for themselves. When this meeting happened, he was threshing wheat...
Children have heroes. Parents hope those heroes will actually be good examples for their child to follow. In today’s world, sports figures, media stars, and others who are rich, famous, good looking and perhaps popular among a child’s peers vie for hero status. But these may not rate too high among the parent’s choices. I have some heroes. Their stories are found in the pages of Scripture. I believe I could recommend them for heroes for your children or grandchildren. Let’s look them over and se...
It has been said, “The Church began on the Day of Pentecost.” That could make sense. Two of the main ingredients were present: Sinners in need of salvation and The Holy Spirit Who could guide them through it. The first need was for the sinners to come to an experience of conviction. That is part of the job description for the Holy Spirit. He convicts of Sin. He can use many methods. This time it was the preaching of Peter. It can also be through the reading of Scripture, through dreams and vis...
I am writing this on the longest day of 2021. It reminds me of the longest day in history. It was a day Israel and Amorites were engaged in war. The Lord commanded the sun and the moon to stand still. He rained down huge hailstones on the enemy so more were killed by hailstones than by the sword of Israel. The story reminded me God frequently did special things and gave great deliverances for Israel when they trusted and were obedient to Him. A lot of terrible things happened in the Old...
We examine a parable given only in Matthew 20. We might be challenged. Is it fair? As are many parables of Jesus, this one proposes something to be like the Kingdom of Heaven (or of God). It is a vineyard owner. Background tells us grape harvest takes place in early fall, immediately following come fall rains. The rains are heavy at times and if they come early or the harvest is delayed, the rains will ruin the grape crop. So we know it is imperative to get the harvest done as soon as it is...
It was quite a day. It was, for Jews, already a day of celebration. It was the Festival of Weeks, the celebration of the end of harvest. Many times, God had given abundantly to His people. People God blesses should be filled with thanksgivings and praises for His abundant gifts. We should do such celebration and have chosen a day to do it. We call it ‘Thanksgiving Day’. But, we are distracted by football, family, feasting, and who knows what all. Jesus has risen some fifty days earlier. His Fol...
Much of the church does not celebrate Ascension Day. It is the fortieth day after Jesus rose from death. He now lives eternally. He made many appearances to His Followers after His Resurrection. So far as I can tell, He did not appear to any who were not His Followers. He had at least hinted at this in a discussion with Disciples (See St., John 14:15-31). Jesus also cryptically told His enemies this truth. They seemed to have some understanding of it even though His disciples did not seem to...
Last week we celebrated National Day of Prayer. Hopefully, you were able to attend some sort of prayer rally. I am reminded there is a passage in Scripture that says God is wearied by the many words of His people. Please read Malachi 2:17 and consider it. Another Scripture tells us we should “Pray without ceasing.” (Please read I Thessalonians 5:17 and consider it.) Now we believe Scripture does not contradict itself. But these two passages give us pause. Why was God wearied by the prayers of...
Things are moving to a climax. In fact there will several climaxes. One of these happens just before the Week begins. It happens I think, as a result of what Jesus did for His family of friends. Jesus raised Lazarus from death after four days in the grave. There was a strong desire to honor Him. A feast was given in the small town of Bethany. Jesus was guest of honor. Lazarus was seated with Him at the table. No doubt there were those in attendance who wanted to see both men. It was surely a...
In this series, I have said: “The Passover Lamb was kept and observed for four days, to be sure it was not sick or defective in any way. In some cases the lamb was kept in the house and was therefore very closely observed. Jesus was most certainly closely observed. John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold (This word ‘behold’ means to closely observe) The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.” (See St. John 1:29-35) At one point, Jesus invited people to examine (This word ‘examine...
Sometimes I think I stretch out my "Thoughts." Holy Week could technically be seven days long. So much happens in that week it can scarcely be examined in a short time. On Thursday night of that week, many Christians observe what is called Maundy Thursday. It reminds us Jesus had His Last Supper, Communion, Celebration of Passover. I want to begin this study with Passover. This is spoken of in Exodus 12. God told Abram his children and descendants would live in slavery to a nation for 400...
We come to St. Matthew 18:21-35 and the parable for discussion this week. This is the only passage that records this parable but forgiveness is a topic for discussion frequently. Jesus had been talking about restoring right relationships between family members who had sinned against (wronged) one another. Noted rabbis had pronounced three as the number of times to forgive before relationships were cut off. They seemed to look to the Old Testament Prophet Amos. He proposes God will punish...
Last week's parable dealt with Sowers – Seeds – Soils. It was told to help those who tell God's Story about how their message would be received. Today, we look at a parable to will help us understand what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. Today's parable is told only in Matthew's Gospel. It is one of several that tell us something about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. Some of the terminology last week and today is similar. We should note in both the Sower is God's Son.He is sowing Seed. Las...
Scriptures to Read St. Matthew 13:24-30 St. Matthew 13:36-43 St. John 5:19-23 St. John 5:24-30 St. John 5:31-47 St. John 8:42-47 Revelation 20:11-15 Last week's parable dealt with Sowers – Seeds – Soils. It was told to help those who tell God's Story about how their message would be received. Today, we look at a parable to will help us understand what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. Today's parable is told only in Matthew's Gospel. It is one of several that tell us something about what the Kin...
Scriptures to Read St. Matthew 13:1-9 St. Matthew 13:18-23 St. Mark 4:1-9 St. Mark 4:13-20 St. Mark 4:24-25 & St. Luke 8:18 St. Luke 8:1-8 St. Luke 8:11-15 The first parable we will look at is found in all three synoptic Gospels. They felt it important to hear so we do as well. It was important enough for the disciples to ask Jesus to explain it. He did even though He was a bit surprised they could not figure it out for themselves. As usual, Jesus uses something easy to understand to explain...
Scriptures to Read: Isaiah 6:8-13 St. Matthew 13:9-16 & 34-35 Psalm 78:1-7 St. Mark 4:9-12 St. Luke 8:8d-10 St. Mark 4:33-41 Revelation 2:1-7 I would like us to look at some of the parables of Jesus. We will not attempt all of them since there are 30 or more. They are varied in a number of ways and of course each is important but we will only look at a few during this effort. First, we should ask some questions: What is a parable? Why did Jesus use them so often? First, the word parable is a...
Scriptures to Read: St. Matthew 5:3 & 23:13 St. Matthew 5:4 & 23:14 St. Matthew 5:5 & 23:15 St. Matthew 5:6 & 23:16-22 St. Matthew 5:7 & 23:23-24 St. Matthew 5:8 & 23:25-28 St. Matthew 5:9-12 & 23:29-33 I have been thinking about Jesus and His words on the Law. It may seem that we are simply looking at The Ten Commandments here. That is not so. Two of His interpretations are: regarding killing and adultery. Three are from other portions of the Law. "Keep your oaths." Leviticus 19:12 and Numbers...
Scriptures to Read: St. Matthew 5:21-26 St. Matthew 5:27-30 St. Matthew 5:33-37 St. Matthew 5:38-42 St. Matthew 5:43-48 St. Matthew 7:24-29 St. Matthew 12:34-40 Jesus gave teachings that none else had ever given so far as I know. The Law, specifically the Ten Commandments, was deemed the guiding principle for Israel to live by. As God was holy, He expected His People to be holy. All Jews, not just the Scribes and Pharisees, honored the Law. At the beginning of each service in the synagogue, on...
Scriptures to Read: St. Matthew 23:1-4 St. Matthew 23:5-12 St. Matthew 23:13-15 St. Matthew 23:16-26 St. Luke 13:10-17 St. Matthew 12:1-8 St. Matthew 12:9-14 Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees also experienced conflict because of their purpose of life. Jesus clearly shows and tells why He came. I am come that people might have life, indicating eternal life, and they might have it more abundantly. It would seem to me The Law had a dual purpose. It was to teach reverence for God; His Person, His...
Scriptures to Read: Proverbs 15:13-17 Proverbs 17:22 II Samuel 6:12-17 Isaiah 61:1-10 St. Luke 15:7-10 & 22-24 Psalm 16:11 & James 5:13 Ephesians 5:19 & Colossians 3:16 I am planning to celebrate. It won't be a large-scale thing. I won't even invite anyone to come join me. It will be just me. What is it all about? This is my 2,000th 'Thought for the Week." David Snyder, former editor-publisher-owner of The Herald might disagree with that number, but will tell you I began to write a long time...
Scriptures to Read: I Timothy 6:6-10 St. Matthew 6:1-4 St. Matthew 6:19-24 St. Luke 12:13-21 Hebrews 13:5-6 St. Matthew 25:31-40 St. Matthew 25:41-46 If you could choose one of the Ten Commandments that is least serious, which would it be? Actually, there is no such thing. God considers each a Commandment. Whoever breaks one is guilty of breaking all. But for the sake of my "Thought" today, I want you to consider "Thou shalt not covet..." (Exodus 20:17). This commandment seems internal and not...
Scriptures to Read: I Thessalonians 5:17 & St. Matthew 6:7-13 II Timothy 14-19 Hebrews 10:22-25 Acts 2:36-41 Acts 2:42-47 Philippians 4:4-9 Acts 4:7-12 & 29-31 Many people make New Year's Resolutions: some for fun and some seriously. Perhaps you have made some. Perhaps some are already broken. Resolutions cover a wide variety of subjects in life. I would like to propose some resolutions for you. Of course you are free to do with my proposals as you like. I will give you three and they are not...
Scriptures to Read: St. Matthew 1:18-25 St. Matthew 2:1-6 St. Matthew 2:7-12 St. Luke 2:22-32 St. Luke 2:28-35 St. Luke 2:36-40 Galatians 4:4-7 Today, I want to lead your thinking about un-named witnesses. There are tons of them in Scripture. These are definitely involved in the Christmas Story. We know a little bit about them. There are more things proposed than known from actual Scripture. The song writer calls them, "We Three Kings." No doubt it is a beautiful song, but the Scriptural accurac...
Scriptures to Read: St. Luke 1:5-25 St. Luke 1:26-38 St. Luke 139-56 St. Luke 1:57-66 St. Luke 1:67-80 St. John 1:19-34 St. Luke 2:1-20 Another often overlooked character in the Christmas Story is an infant, but not the Infant Jesus. He is the infant John, who, along with his parents Zachariah and Elizabeth, fills an important role in the Christmas Story. Much of their story is found in St. Luke's Gospel. There is prophecy telling of his coming found in Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6 and explained by...
Scriptures to Read: Isaiah 9:6-7 Isaiah 11:1-9 Isaiah 24:13-16 Isaiah 25:3-6 Isaiah 26:1-5 & 10-13 Philippians 2:5-11 St. Luke 1:67-79 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped to do all good works" (see II Timothy 3:16ff). "No Scripture originated with man. No prophecy is of human origin, for holy men of old, spoke as they were moved by the Ho...
Scriptures to Read: Isaiah 1:10-17 Isaiah 1:18-20 Isaiah 2:1-5 Isaiah 6:1-7 Isaiah 6:8-12 Isaiah 7:12-14 St. Luke 1:26-38 I am inviting Isaiah to the Christmas Story. He lived some 700 years before the birth of Christ. He was of both royal and priestly bloodlines. But I invite him because he is the most major of the "Major Old Testament Prophets." The 66 chapters of his writings are worthy of hours of study and are embedded with nuggets of truth regarding the life and ministry of Christ. Isaiah...
Scriptures to Read: Daniel 8:15-17 & 26-27 Daniel 9:1-6 Daniel 9:7-14 Daniel 9:15-19 St. Luke 1:11-17 St. Luke 1:68-79 St. Luke 1:28-38 I AM WRITING THIS ON VETERANS DAY. Today evoked many memories. I prayed for a number of folks who served. Normally, I use the four weeks of December to think about the Christmas Story and those involved with major roles. This year I thought I might write about those who are important but not so much in the spotlight. I begin with the angel Gabriel. We often...
Scriptures to Read: I Thessalonians 5:14-18 Philippians 4:4-8 Psalm 40:1-5 Psalm 130:1-7 Psalm 139:1-6 & 14 Psalm 46:1-2 & 10-11 Psalm 136:1-4 & 23-26 I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU to give thanks in "everything." I begin with a story Myron Augsberger told: "I was doing a preaching/teaching tour in India. We were invited to lunch. As we sat down, our host offered an eloquent blessing. We were served a veritable feast. They urged me to eat more. We were in modest surroundings but it was a sumptuous...
Scriptures to Read: St. John 8:31-36 Romans 5:15-18 Romans 6:15-23 Romans 8:1-11 Galatians 5:1-6 I Peter 2:4-12 Philippians 2:1-11 I am trusting you are planning to observe Thanksgiving Day. Thanks may certainly be given to a lot of people. We need to remember the primary focus of Thanksgiving Day is to thank God for all He has done for us, as individuals and as a nation. If there ever was a nation that's been blest, it is the United States. Many people squeak by with the basic necessities. Most...
Scriptures to Read: I Thessalonians 5:12-18 I Corinthians 2:6-11 St. Matthew 6:9-15 Psalm 136:1-9 Ephesians 5:15-21 Colossians 3:12-17 II Peter 1:12-21 Hopefully you saved last week's "Thought" I want to continue. (Example) As part of my example, I want to more clearly demonstrate thankfulness. Remind me to thank my wife for the hundreds of meals she has made. I want to thank people who are often unseen: the clerk, the stock-boy, the manager, the meat-cutter, and others in the grocery store for...
Scriptures to Read: Genesis 1:1 & 9-14 Genesis 8:15-22 Psalm 8:1-9 Psalm 90:10-17 II Corinthians 5:1-10 St. Matthew 25:31-40 St. Matthew28:16-20 I want to do something with you that I have never done before. I hope it becomes a blessing to you. We were talking at the breakfast table. I said, "How did we get on this subject?" So we backtracked. Well, we talked about this and before that we said, before that was, and before that etc. I call that "progressional conversation." I think we all do it....
Scriptures to Read: St. Matthew 25: 31-40 St. Matthew 25: 41-46 St. Mark 12:13-17 Romans 12:1-20 Romans 13:1-7 Daniel 3:12-18 & 28 Daniel 4:19-27 This is projected to be my last "Thought" before national Election Day. I hope you are planning and prepared to vote. Why would I continue to use the title "Attack?" Partly because I believe Satan and his fallen-host are on the attack against our nation. Of course the attack is against us as individuals most. But we cannot doubt we fall under the...
Scriptures to Read: Ephesians 6:10-20 St. Matthew 6:7-13 Hebrews 4:12-16 St. Matthew 4:1-11 Hebrews 11:1-6 Hebrews 11:32-40 Philippians 4:4-13 I have been trying to warn-alert you to Satan's attacks. Satan and his fallen-angel-host are formidable enemies. For the Christian, we claim a verse (I John 4:4), "Ye are of God...because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." We dare to presume that if Christ is Lord of your life and seated on the throne of your heart, neither...
Scriptures to Read: I John 2:15-17 Genesis 39:1-7 Genesis 39:8-20 II Samuel 11:1-11 II Samuel 11:12-21 II Samuel 12:1-14 Numbers 32:23 & Proverbs 28:13-14 I have been trying to warn-alert you to Satan's attacks. He is our (God's, yours and my) enemy. Genesis Chapter 39 gives another illustration of how Satan tempts to the lust (out of control desire) of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride (arrogance) of life. Joseph has risen to a place of prominence and leadership in the household of...
Scriptures to Read I John 2:15-23 Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17 Genesis 3:1-7 Genesis 3:8-13 Genesis 3:16-19 St. Matthew 4:1-11 St. Luke 4:1-13 Last time I spoke of Satan's attack on Adam and Eve. He was actually attacking God by using God's created human beings. They fell under Satan's attack. It saddened the heart of God. We dare not forget Satan is a deceiver and a murderer. He will stop at nothing to hurt God. Jesus' disciple, John, writes to warn about some of Satan's tricks (see I John 2:16)....
Scriptures to Read Ephesians 6:10-13 Ephesians 6:10-13 Genesis 2:8-9; 15-17 Genesis 2:20-25 Genesis 3:1-7 Genesis 3:8-13 Genesis 3:14-19 I want to spend some of the next 'Thoughts' considering the troubles we face. God created angels. I suppose it was before He created the universe we live in, but I just don't know. At any rate, one of those angels, Satan/Lucifer by name, opposed God, exalted himself, attempted to usurp God's majesty and dominion, and became the enemy of God. He hates God and...
Scriptures to Read Acts 7:8-15 Acts 7:54-60 Acts 19:23-29 St. Matthew 27:19-25 St. Mark 14:55-65 Genesis 37:18-24 Ephesians 4:25-32 When you read this, we will be a little more than one month from the national elections. We gave up television a little more than a year ago and so have not been watching the political ads. Perhaps you are tired of them, too. I hope you are planning to vote, but I am not planning to make this a political column. You might have noticed the question marks in the title...
