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SMALL STARTS
Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 2:1-55; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Psalm 75:1-76:12 In Paul’s qualifications for overseers, he mentions a necessary trait for anyone who wants to lead in a community: “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household,…
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INTO THE MESS
Reflections on Jonah “Cookies are not treasure!” Max’s shrill voice rose over the din of the cafeteria, causing every head to turn. “Treasure is permanent!” he wailed. I had to summon all my strength to keep a straight face in front of the infuriated 8-year-old. Max was one of 96 kids attending a summer day…
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THE HIGH COST OF SIBLING RIVALRY
Reflections on Obadiah During my years in pastoral ministry, I have discovered a strange reality: It seems more conflicts occur within the church than without. This dysfunctional church-family dynamic is a far cry from the Apostle Paul’s admonishments to “Love one another with brotherly affection” (Rom 12:10). Shouldn’t people who have the Holy Spirit living…
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MORNING & EVENING
The boundless realms of his Father’s universe are Christ’s by prescriptive right. As “heir of all things,” he is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and he has admitted us to claim the whole as ours, by virtue of that deed of joint-heir-ship which the Lord hath ratified with his chosen people.…
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SHIPWRECKED
Connect The TestamentRuth 3:1-4:22; 1 Timothy 1:12-20; Psalm 73:1-28 “I am setting before you this instruction, Timothy my child, in accordance with the prophecies spoken long ago about you, in order that by them you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience, which some, because they have rejected these, have suffered…
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AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS
Reflections on Amos I lay awake, staring into darkness, mentally replaying a conversation from earlier that day. My friend had misunderstood me and then condemned me for it. I felt deeply wronged. I also felt a toxic mixture of anger, self-pity and self-righteousness creeping through my veins. It is often much easier to pray, “Forgive…
