Every day we all work to control our many appetites. In fact, one could argue that our daily activities as humans are predominately about managing our appetites. Our ambition, drive, and desires all determine our daily decisions for work, rest, and play. What happens...
A Theology of Work
One-third of our lives are spent at work. When you consider errands, chores, hobbies, or raising children, the percentage of our lives we spend working can be significantly higher than 30 percent. Considering how much time we spend working, is there a connection...
Confessing Your Sins
God’s redemptive plan for humanity involves the death of Jesus for the sins of everyone. But we enjoy God’s forgiveness only when we believe what Jesus did for us. Have you noticed, even Christians still sin? Confessing or admitting our daily sin keeps our...
A New Heaven and A New Earth
God makes all things new. He is about taking the brokenness brought on by sin and offering a new reality. God’s plans for a believer’s eternity are staggering in immensity and joy. We will exist forever on a new earth—a reality more alive than our present existence....
A New Song
Songs are powerful things. The combine melody and harmony. They express both truth and emotion. They can fill us with joy and hope or with lament and sorrow. Through the beauty of song we worship, we celebrate, and we mourn. In the Psalms, the worship songs of the...
Shake The Dust Off
"As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give... If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home...
A Good Old Age
Family involves many times and seasons of life. Our roles within our family change, but each role and each season is part of God's plan for family. If we're fortunate, one day we'll find ourselves in the last season - Old Age. While this is a season some of us would...
In Sickness and in Health
It’s rare to find a really great marriage. Maybe that’s because it doesn’t take long for marriage to be put to the test by the harsh realities of life. In marriage, we’re together in sickness and in health. God designed marriage as a gift. And it’s easy to lose sight...
Nothing Like Family
As the family goes, so goes the culture. The idea of family is deeply rooted in our lives. We were born for family; it’s in our blood. And the idea of family is rooted in the heart of God. It’s more than an illustration. Family is a reality for anyone related to God....
Deaths of Jacob and Joseph (Men)
Hebrews 11:21 says, “By faith Jacob when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.” How do you think Jacob’s blessings constituted an act of faith? We know from Chapter 50 verse 20 what Joseph believes about how...
Deaths of Jacob and Joseph
Hebrews 11:21 says, “By faith Jacob when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.” How do you think Jacob’s blessings constituted an act of faith? We know from Chapter 50 verse 20 what Joseph believes about how...
Joseph Over Egypt (Men)
Last week we saw Joseph, the favored son, sold into slavery by his brothers. We watched as he patiently endured trials, fled from temptations, and ultimately rose to great power as a result of God's faithfulness. This week Joseph's brothers come back on the scene....
Joseph Over Egypt
Last week we saw Joseph, the favored son, sold into slavery by his brothers. We watched as he patiently endured trials, fled from temptations, and ultimately rose to great power as a result of God's faithfulness. This week Joseph's brothers come back on the scene....
Joseph in Egypt (Men)
This week we will tum our attention to Joseph, Jacob/Israel's favorite son. We'll watch once again as sibling rivalry tears apart God's chosen family, and we'll trace God's hand in the life of a faithful servant, a life marked by patient endurance of suffering and...
Joseph in Egypt
This week we will tum our attention to Joseph, Jacob/Israel's favorite son. We'll watch once again as sibling rivalry tears apart God's chosen family, and we'll trace God's hand in the life of a faithful servant, a life marked by patient endurance of suffering and...
Exile & Reconciliation
When we left Jacob last week, he was fleeing his brother, whom he had cheated twice through deceit and trickery. On his flight, Jacob received a vision from God, to which he responded with conditional faithfulness. Is there any hope for this guy? This week we will...
Sibling Rivalry
Abraham and Sarah have gone to their rest, and the scene shifts to Isaac and his offspring. Isaac and Rebekah raise a family like many familiesone full of friction and favoritism. This week we will be introduced to one of the most famous sibling rivalries of all...
The Long-Awaited Son
At long last, Isaac arrives- -a miraculous birth that emphatically answers the question' Is anything too hard for the Lord? If Abraham's life were made into a movie, the director would probably be tempted to roll the credits and drop the curtain right after the birth...
God Visits
This week we'll see the institution of God's covenant sign and His renewal of the promise of an heir to a newly named Abraham. And we'll gain further insight into the character of the man called the "friend of God" and the woman who would give birth to a nation. We'...
Calling & Covenant
This week, we will meet Abram - a man of faith and a man of flaws - as he journeys from Ur to Canaan, to Egypt, and back to Canaan. We will be introduced to Sarai, Abram's wife, who displays a willingness to help her husband hedge his bets, even at great personal...
Genesis Part 2 Introduction
This study is part 2 of the book of Genesis. This week is an overview of Genesis 12-50 where we see God give and begin to fulfill the covenant promise that His people will be numerous, will have a land of their own, and will be a source of blessing to the whole world....