Liberty to the Captives
Many things can hold us captive-literally controlling our minds, shaping our thoughts, dominating our schedules, and determining our values.
We can be obsessed with the lusts of the flesh or the craving for pleasure. We may be in the grip of bad habits. We can be trapped in abusive relationships. We can be wracked by emotional trauma or stress. We can feel the weight of financial need. We can be…
Favor
When Ruth found favor, everything changed.
Before this time, her situation seemed hopeless. She was a widow with no inheritance or income. She was a native of Moab, Israel's enemy. She found herself gleaning in fields owned by a man about whom she knew nothing. Yet because of her attitude and actions, she found favor with this man, Boaz. Eventually, she became his wife. Her poverty was replaced…
The Wisest of Men
Albert Einstein-the man Time magazine named the most significant person of the 20th century-was among the most intelligent and influential people of all time. While other scientists embraced atheism, Einstein often talked about God. He is quoted as saying, "I want to know the thoughts of God. All the rest are details."
But Einstein had his own ideas about God. He once wrote, "I cannot conceive…
Mercy and Justice
It would have been easy to overlook God's command. Earlier, He'd told the Israelites to establish "six cities of refuge" when they entered the Promised Land. There, those who unintentionally committed a murder could flee for protection (Numbers 35:6-15).
But after the conquest, they faced a difficult reality. Land was precious, and they had fought for every inch. It would have been natural to…
A Spirit of Power, Love, and Discipline
How do we react to uncertain times? To danger? To situations filled with the unknown? To wars and rumors of war? To economic uncertainty? To troubles at work? To family problems? To potentially serious illness? Many react with fear and worry. Some even panic.
But God has a different perspective. We can find His direction in the words Paul wrote to Timothy: No matter what we face, God want us to…
Three Promises of Blessing
God was not pleased with His people. Many had served other gods and broken His laws. Their lives were filled with corruption. They were guilty of oppression, acting without mercy, and failing to show righteousness. He warned that they would face the consequences of their actions.
But God also stressed this important truth: "I do not change." And it was because He does not change that His people…
A New Start
God has made it clear: He wants our lives to be clean and pure. We see the importance of purity in principles He gave about cleansing a home.
This process began with two birds. One bird was to be killed. The person cleansing the home was to dip the live bird into water and the blood of the dead bird. Then he was to release the live bird-whose freedom was made possible by the sacrifice of the…
The Wisdom of Waiting
How do we react when we are attacked? When we feel criticized or condemned by others?
A logical reaction is to act quickly, determined to avenge ourselves, argue our case, tell our side of the story, and redress any wrongs that have been committed. Sometimes these rapid responses are appropriate. But the Bible warns us against acting in too much of a hurry or going out "hastily" to argue our…
Let God Judge
God knows when we fail and fall short, when we make mistakes and disobey His Word, when we yield to temptation and fall into sin.
In the time of Ezekiel, for example, God dealt with His people because of their sins. Although disappointed and angry with them, He demonstrated a special kind of anger toward their neighboring nations. These were people who took it upon themselves to criticize and…
Goodness, Kindness, and Faithfulness
Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem. Her heart was filled with grief. Her husband and two sons had died while the family was living in Moab. Now she wanted to return to her homeland. When she told this news to her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, she said, "The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me."
The Hebrew word translated "kindly" means "goodness,…