Life often reminds me of the first time I remember flying a kite as a kid. My entire focus was on getting the kite in the air. I kept running back and forth, as fast as I could, dragging the kite behind me, hoping it would eventually take off and soar. I don’t know how … Read more
The appearance of Gideon, the man of God, as bread in the dream also points to the future coming of Jesus Christ, the Greater Gideon. Like Gideon, Jesus is called the “bread of life,” is born in Bethlehem (which means “house of bread”), multiplied the bread of a boy to feed a crowd, and taught … Read more
In Judges 6, Jesus Christ appears as “the angel [or messenger] of the Lord” from Heaven. His visit is to one man, Gideon, who is hiding out, threshing wheat in a winepress. This would indicate absolute poverty, because he must have had little wheat to thresh, in a small walled winepress instead of an open … Read more
Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Florence loved her family, but she and her husband both experienced anxiety as the holidays approached because going back to her parents’ home with all her siblings was like a movie where you go back in time. … Read more
Galatians 6:2-5 – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will … Read more
1 Timothy 3:4-5 – He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? When there is anxiety in the family, the members commonly respond in one of four ways. In flight, … Read more
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Growing up in a family, it is common to pass things like colds and flus around. As soon as one … Read more
Luke 2:40, 50-52 – …the child [Jesus] grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him…And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these … Read more
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 – To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according … Read more
2 Thessalonians 1:5 – This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering… Paul opens his letter by telling the believers that he and his senior leadership team with Silvanus and Timothy are for them and there to … Read more
2 Thessalonians 1:4 – Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. A friend of mine who was in the military once shared a harrowing war story with me. He and his men were deployed … Read more
2 Corinthians 11:23, 30-31 – Are they servants of Christ? I am better one – I am talking like a madman – with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death…If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the … Read more