A Kingdom of Peacemakers

Two women happily reading and discussing a Bible together in a cozy living room Life is a bit crazy right now for me, so I am using the introduction of this week's study as the blog post this week. As usual, the pdf will be attached to download, and last week's answers will be linked. …

The Heart of Desire in God’s Kingdom

A large rustic table filled with a variety of dishes and drinks for a festive communal dinner. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 The beatitudes began with the spiritually poor who longed for a place in God's Kingdom. Next, those who mourn were …

A Different Kind of King

A man rides a donkey through an ancient city gate while crowds cheer with palm branches. When you think of a king, what comes to mind? Ruthless power? Domination over lesser kingdoms? A man intent on gaining riches? A lawmaker who imposes his will on those too weak to oppose him? A President who makes …

Repentance: Exchanging Kingdoms

Ruling My Own Kingdom The message of repentance often gets lost in the 1-2-3, a-b-c, easy as can be, altar call to salvation. The message both John and Jesus were preaching started with repentance. The last post mentioned this, but today's will build on it.  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the …

Realigning Ourselves Under King Jesus

An ancient mikveh in Israel. When my daughter and I visited Israel in 2019, we learned about the ritual cleansing baths called mikvehs. Mikvehs were closely associated with the temple so that priests could be cleansed before entering to offer sacrifices. Often, one set of steps led into the water, and another set of steps …

Twisting Scripture

If there is anything that irritates me more, it is Instagram Christianity. When Christians are struggling, they rarely open their Bibles to find comfort from God. No, they look for a meme, or a reel, or a "Word from the Lord" from their favorite Bible influencer. Men literally burned at the stake so we can …

Beautiful Women of Faith: A Woman Unnamed

She stayed when everyone else walked away. She supported her husband when he came in exhausted after preaching to people who wouldn't listen. She protected her three small boys from the violent, lewd, evil world outside of their home. She provided a good example to her daughters-in-law when they, too, chose to follow their husbands …

Beautiful Women of Faith: Tamar

              Her story is one of the most unsettling stories in all of the Bible. Tamar had a husband so wicked, the Lord “slew” him according to Genesis 38:7. The cultural requirement of the day called for his brother to marry her and give her a child that would carry on her first husband’s …

Beautiful Women of Faith Series: Rahab’s New Identity

Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.             When your past follows you, it can be difficult to assume a new identity. Rahab is mentioned several times throughout the New Testament, always with the reminder of her occupation before her …

Won Without the Word

I get quite a few messages from women asking for prayer and guidance when it comes to living with a lost or backslidden husband. From experience, I know what it is like to live with an unsaved husband who claimed salvation. It was confusing and frustrating. I did not live up to the challenge from …