stevodevo

healing for the nations

The tree of life provides healing for the nations-not from its fruit, but from its leaves. Fruit is for the individual to eat and find nourishment. The leaves provide shade- a place to come together.…

Revelation 22:2 (KJV)

Kingdom of priests

In Exodus 19:6, we see a glimpse of God's deisre for a community when He expresses a deisre to have a "kingdom of priests". This picture shows us a society unlike any other society that mankind has created.

God will provide

In the story of Abraham and Isaac, Abraham names the mountain "The Lord will provide". We often think of God's provision in terms of physical needs, but in this instance, it is provision for a spiritual…

Genesis 22:14 (KJV)

Judah's understanding

Judah had failed Joseph in chapter 37. Joseph wanted to see if his brothers had learned anything. When he found that Judah was willing to take his brother's place, he finally revealed himself. Judah realized…

Genesis 37:26 (NIV84), Genesis 44:33 (NIV84), Genesis 44:34 (NIV84)

Sending rain

Jesus exhorts us to be "sons of the Father". The Father "sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous". As his children, we should also send "rain" on all people. I contend that rain includes prayer,…

Matthew 5:45 (NASB)

Who gave Christ over to be crucified?

The one that gave Christ over was guiltier of a greater sin than Pilate. Who was that? Isaiah 53:5-6 tells us it was us.

John 19:11 (NIV84)

quality of sacrifices

Malachi 1:8 shows us that God wants our best. He was offended if the Israelites offered blind animals. In our day, our sacrifices are our time, energy, finances, etc. Do we offer our best to Him, or only…

Earning God's trust

Reuben asks Jacob to entrust Benjamin to his care. Doesn't he remember that he was one that allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery? We must look the same to God when we ask him to trust his children to…

Genesis 42:37 (NIV84)

2 sins- omission and commision

Israel committed 2 sins- they rejected God's water and dug their own cisterns

Jeremiah 2:17 (NIV)

the "will" of God

"I cannot do it, but God can....." Joseph says to Pharoah. Joseph has an attitude of humility and confidence. Though these attitudes are somewhat contradictory, they dwell together in harmony if God…

Genesis 41:16 (NIV)

Forgotten favor

We criticize the cupbearer who, in times of ease, forgot about Joseph in prison. How much different are we, when we forget our Savior in times when things are going well?

Genesis 40:23 (NIV)