Yesterday

  • sondance
    sondance added a text contribution Dumb Stubborn Decision
    Josiah didn’t listen to God’s plan, stubbornly proceeding with his own notion to engage Neco is a fight. That decision was a fatal one. Sad when a life of such great accomplishment and potential comes to an end because of a dumb decision. Since Josiah reigned 31 years, and the Passover described happened in the 18th year of his reign, this happened 13 years after the passover. The text is silent... Read more »

Nov 5

Nov 3

  • sondance
    sondance added a text contribution Bold Prayer
    Peter prays a very bold prayer "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up". Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived there say him and turned to the Lord. When I see a need like this paralytic, do I just pass by hoping not to make eye contact? or perhaps toss a few coins into his hat? Do I have faith to speak a bold prayer like Peter did? What about when someone asks me to pray healing for... Read more »
  • sondance
    sondance added a text contribution Enjoying a Time of Peace
    This time of peace came after people were willing to risk imprisonment and even to die rather than stop speaking out in the name of the Lord. The church is persecuted in many countries today - it seems that Christians in those countries have the same determination in their faith as the early church. It’s in the countries where life is good and relatively easy that we have lost that drive. If we look... Read more »

Nov 2

  • sondance
    sondance added a text contribution Take It Home
    The Israelites took their worship attitude back with them, getting rid of those things that were counter to their relationship with God. Only when that was completed did they go back home. How is my world different because I go to church to worship God? Do I take that attitude back with me and impact my world? What are the sacred stones, Asherah poles, high places and altars in my life that I need... Read more »
  • sondance
    sondance added a text contribution God Overlooked Their Mistakee
    God saw the hearts of the people and overlooked their breaking of the rules of the sanctuary. From this story, can we say that God is more concerned with the position and attitude of our hearts than what we do or how we do it? This isn’t a license for sloppiness or carelessness, but a focus on our motivation. Even if our actions are feeble or off-track, if our motivation is correct, God will smile.... Read more »

Oct 30

Oct 29

Oct 28

Oct 26

  • sondance
    sondance added a text contribution The Wisest in the Land
    God gave these four men knowledge and understanding so that they were above anyone else in the land. Since we have the very Spirit of God dwelling in us, should Christ-followers not have wisdom and understanding about anyone else? Why don’t we? Read more »

Oct 25

Oct 23

  • sondance
    sondance added a text contribution Helping the Wicked?
    The prophet made is clear that God was not pleased that he had helped the wicked king of Israel. Is the Lord pleased when I help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Certainly I suspect He isn’t, especially if I’m helping them in their wickedness. It’s a tough balance to love the sinner without endorsing their sinful ways, indeed hating their sin. In our day, it is not politically correct... Read more »
  • sondance
    In the previous chapter, Asa was fervent is seeking the Lord, purging the nation of anything that was counter. He led the nation in seeking the Lord, and the Lord gave them rest on every side. So what happened that Asa didn’t seek the Lord in the face of attack? Why did he proceed without the Lord to make a treaty with another king? Even when he was afflicted with sickness, he didn’t seek the Lord,... Read more »

Oct 21

  • sondance
    Jesus gives us a clear way to measure our love for Him. He lays it out in a black and white manner - if we love Him, we will obey His teaching. If someone were to look at my live, would the evidence be there that I love Jesus? Lord, I can’t love you or demonstrate this love on my own strength. I desperately need your Holy Spirit to enable me to live in this manner. Read more »
  • sondance
    Knowing His arrest was imminent and that their whole world was about to come crashing down, Jesus told His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled, but to trust in God. They didn't do so well at this, at least for a while until Jesus was resurrected and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Yet, Jesus did put this idea out there for them before the turmoil happened. He also promised the Counselor,... Read more »
  • sondance
    The people of Israel had been very rebellious against God. It was when they were in great distress that they turned back to God. There was much to do to return the people and the land to being God’s people. The prophet encouraged them to be strong and do what needed to be done. In this day, the lead for turning to God seems to have come from Asa. Our world today is in great turmoil. There are many... Read more »
  • sondance

Oct 16