As we saw in part 1 of this series on Deuteronomy 18:9-22, God instructs Israel to not dabble in the detestable religious practices of the nations they will encounter when they enter the Promised Land of Canaan. He lists a bunch of these practices, making it abundantly clear what he is talking about. The mostContinue reading “Avoid the occult [God’s heart for people to find truth, part 2]”
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The danger of echo-chambers [God’s heart for people to find the truth, part 1]
Have you heard of “echo chambers”? I was listening to a podcast this week where a guy said that in our day and age, especially because of the many, many choices we have for news, and because of social media, that Christians too often live in an echo chamber. Echo chambers are rooms where youContinue reading “The danger of echo-chambers [God’s heart for people to find the truth, part 1]”
Christians, justice and leadership in the Church [God’s heart for good government, part 5]
In this series of posts, we have been studying God’s heart for good government in Deuteronomy 16 and 17. In those chapters, God created levels of governance for Israel: local, national, and over all, the king. What have we seen in all these levels of government that God had for his people? Many things: Justice isContinue reading “Christians, justice and leadership in the Church [God’s heart for good government, part 5]”
How kings and presidents should lead [God’s heart for good government, part 4]
How should a king or president lead? In America over the years we’ve seen wildly divergent styles of leadership in our presidents. Take a few minutes and think about it. Try to avoid your personal support or disagreement with their political views. Just consider how our recent 5 or 6 presidents have lived out theirContinue reading “How kings and presidents should lead [God’s heart for good government, part 4]”
Supreme Courts and Presidents [God’s heart for good government, part 3]
God wants there to be supreme courts and presidents. Really? Well, kind of. In this series, we are studying Deuteronomy 17, seeking God’s heart for good government, and we move from what God instructed Israel to do with local governance to what he wanted for their national governance: supreme courts and presidents! In Deut. 17:8-20, he describesContinue reading “Supreme Courts and Presidents [God’s heart for good government, part 3]”
Justice [God’s heart for good government, part 2]
Imagine you were creating a new nation, and you were responsible for writing a document that would become the guiding principles for this whole new society. What would you include? If you could narrow it down to just a few key ideas, what is necessary? What is the basis of good governance? As we sawContinue reading “Justice [God’s heart for good government, part 2]”
Choose wise local leaders [God’s heart for good government, part 1]
The midterm elections were this week, the results are in, and now the politicians can get back to the business of governing. That is good news for us, not least of which because the political road signs are coming down. Postcards from candidates probably stopped arriving daily in the mail. The TV ads are finallyContinue reading “Choose wise local leaders [God’s heart for good government, part 1]”
Celebrating with aliens, the fatherless and widows [God’s heart for the holidays, part 5]
In this series of posts, we are seeking to learn God’s heart for the holidays in Deuteronomy 16, through three feasts he asks Israel to keep every year. In the previous few posts, God expresses his heart for remembering, and in this fifth and final post, we’re going to look at two more themes. TheContinue reading “Celebrating with aliens, the fatherless and widows [God’s heart for the holidays, part 5]”
Why I observe the Christian Calendar [God’s heart for the holidays, part 4]
Does your church follow the Christian calendar? Just as God instituted feasts for the people of Israel to follow, ancient Christians created feasts as well. That Christian calendar, while not commanded by God in his New Covenant with the church, is designed to help Christians remember and re-enact the story of Jesus, very much likeContinue reading “Why I observe the Christian Calendar [God’s heart for the holidays, part 4]”
Celebrating his provision [God’s heart for the holidays, part 3]
In this series of posts we are seeking to discover God’s heart for the holidays. He truly does care about holidays! So we have been looking at three feasts he commanded the people of Israel to observe every year, with the goal of learning his heart so that we Christians might be able to applyContinue reading “Celebrating his provision [God’s heart for the holidays, part 3]”
Engaging Scripture 