I remember watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special. With all the hustle and bustle of shopping and gifts and trees and decorations, we lose sight of what Christmas is all about. But Linus got it right. Remember? He recited part of Luke 2. ‘Christ’mas is not about any of that. It is about the birth of our Savior.
Continue reading “The First Christmas”Tag: Bethlehem
Micah: Warnings and Hope
Like Amos, Micah speaks to Israel about the coming judgment of the people. His ministry began in 740BC. By 722 BC, the Assyrians take Israel into captivity. With every prophesy, God always give a warning. But, He also gives a promise. He is a just God, but also a merciful God. God’s word always has a message, and although Micah may be speaking to Israel, all of us need to take note. What He teaches one people are words for all people. The words of more than 2000 years ago still apply today.
Continue reading “Micah: Warnings and Hope”Ruth 4: The Redemption
The story of Ruth is a love story. It is a love story of a man and a woman. It is a love story of a mother and daughter-in-law, of friendship. It is a love story of God and His people, God and us. Ruth goes beyond a love story. It describes the character of people. It describes customs of ancient Israel. It describes compassion. It shows that no matter who we are, we are loved by God and can be used by God to bless others. We also see some parallels of how Jesus redeems us. Though we were sinners, enemies of God, aliens, God provided a way to redeem us. Jesus is our Redeemer. Continue reading “Ruth 4: The Redemption”
Ruth 2: Showing Character
The second chapter of Ruth reveals the character of Ruth and of Boaz. Ruth meets Boaz as she is gleaning wheat in his field during the harvest. The culture in Israel allows the poor to go to fields and “glean,” or basically pick up the scraps in a field during the harvest. A landowner is to leave the corners of the field so that the poor can come and collect grain for their family. Also, anything that the harvesters drop is free for the poor to collect. What a great welfare system! Continue reading “Ruth 2: Showing Character”
My Daily Scriptures 