Panic Attacks & Courageous Living | Genesis 26:1-10
Suffered any panic-attacks lately? Perhaps, there is a cure. Any idea what that cure
may be? The remedy just might be found in the obscurity of Genesis 26.
Finding Joy in a Culture Hostile to Christianity | Philippians 1:27-30
The at large citizens of Philippi, along with the chamber of commerce and authorities from City Hall, went out of their way to treat Christians harshly. So, Paul addressed this conflict forced upon the Philippian believers by the society in which they lived. He wrote, not because he wanted his readers to pity themselves, but because he wanted to help them find joy in a culture that held venomous hostility toward Christ and His followers. How did he make that happen? However he made it happen, it can happen for you as well.
Inquiry, Intrigue, and Insult | Genesis 25:22-34
Smooth sailing? That’s not how it worked out for Rebekah, and it’s not likely to work out that way for you and me. She faced trouble, trial and anxiety, finding herself engulfed by overwhelming circumstances though in the center of God’s will and work. What should she do? Complain? Take things into her own hands? Fortunately, she followed the example of her husband, but what about the rest of the family, especially Jacob? He was cool and calculating, crafty and subtle. He seems to be an unworthy and contemptible choice as an instrument of God. And yet . . .
Finding Joy in the Face of Death | Philippians 1:14-21
Paul found joy in the face of death. Does this mean that Paul hated life?
To the contrary, Paul loved life, yet he knew the vanquisher of death. You,
too, can love life yet find joy in the face of death. That joy changed Paul’s
life – and it can change yours. Coming to terms with death will free you
to live life to its fullest.
Delay, Delay, Delay | Genesis 25:12-25
Do you think Isaac wondered at the workings (or non-workings) of God? He may have cried out to God asking why his brother, Ishmael, should prosper so abundantly while he continued childless. Ishmael was not the son of promise. No doubt, Isaac experienced great disappointment. Why the delay? Why has God seemingly made delays in your own life with your own dreams?
Finding Joy In Christians Who You May Not Like | Philippians 1:14-21
Not everybody is going to like you, and you are not going to like everybody, even within the church. There were some members of the church at Rome who did not like Paul, but why? Even more, how did Paul respond? How might you respond? Paul found joy in Christians who didn’t make the top 10 on his “like” list. Believe it or not, you can too!