Tom Demers

Guilt & Intent

In a court of law (and public opinion), there is often a difference between the a guilty party who realizes his own guilt and confesses and one who is caught. We tend to place more guilt and shame on…

Leviticus 4:22 (ESV), Leviticus 4:23 (ESV), Leviticus 4:27 (ESV), Leviticus 4:28 (ESV)

Making Deals with God

So many times we make a deal with God when circumstances are not to our liking. Then, when things get better, or don't go the way we want, we forget what we promised God. That was Pharaoh's story and…

Exodus 8:8 (ESV)

No Capes!

Remember in the movie, The Incredibles, when the superhero costumer designer told Mr. Incredible, "No capes!"? An ephod is a cape. Gideon should have never made this ephod; it put him and his family in…

Judges 8:27 (ESV)

poor in spirit

When Jesus said in Matthew 5:3," blessed are the poor in spirit," this is part of what I think he is referring to. The poor make entreaties and appeal, while the rich make demands and insist on their…

Proverbs 18:23 (ESV), Matthew 5:3 (ESV)

Waiting for God

What a great concept! When we wait for God, he acts for us. Like the chivalrous man who opens the door for his wife, God will take care of us, if we would simply let Him.

Isaiah 64:4 (ESV)

Joshua in the Tent

When Moses left, Joshua stayed. There is no further explanation. I wonder why he stayed. Surely God didn't need a security guard to protect the tent. It says God talked to Moses face-to-face, not Joshua…

Exodus 33:11 (ESV)

Solomon Knew

It appears Solomon understood something the Jews in the time of Christ had forgotten, missed, or misinterpreted. Here is a full acknowledgment of Israel's purpose: to declare and offer salvation to the…

2 Chronicles 6:32 (ESV), 2 Chronicles 6:33 (ESV)

The Wrong Kind of Fear

Jacob's first response was not, "This is wrong, we shouldn't do it!" Instead, he was afraid of what happened if they were caught. He knew his father would be upset. Too often, we fail to see the results…

Genesis 27:12 (ESV)

And God was With the Boy

This reminds me of something I was told some time ago - God is not nearly as upset with our enemies (those who oppose us) as we are. He still loves them and wants to bless them. We would do well to remember…

Genesis 21:20 (ESV)

He Stood and Waited

It is interesting to note Abraham served these men, then took the position of a waiter. He stood nearby and waited for them. This waiting likely involved observing them to be sure they had enough food,…

Two thoughts

First, it struck me that the leader was selected primarily because he understood music! This is proof that not just anyone should be leading music in a worship setting. They should understand it. Second,…

1 Chronicles 15:22 (ESV)

conversations with God

I wonder what these talks with God were like. Did David pray and God audibly respond? Or was it more like a conversation with another person, with "give and take"? If it was like today, perhaps the Holy…

1 Chronicles 14:10 (ESV), 1 Chronicles 14:14 (ESV)

selfishness

"I cannot bear this!" Says the man who killed his brother! This is the epitome of selfishness. Cain has little or no concern for others and focuses only on the personal results of his sin. Its impact…

Genesis 4:13 (ESV)

First things First

Resisting Satan is useless without first submitting to God.

James 4:7 (ESV)