Beware of the Tares

What is a tare anyways? Today the word is used as the measure of an empty container before weighing the substance of interest. In some ways this could be fitting. But, in biblical times, it is a type of young weed among grain that resembles the grain. It is an imposter. It is a weed that becomes more like a vine and wraps around the other plants and is hard to remove without hurting the grain plants. There are many people like that.

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Hosea: God’s Charge Against the Nation

Hosea has a message for Israel that I think can also apply to this country (and perhaps to the world): Turn away from your idols and turn back to God. The country was in relative prosperity, but that was soon to change. As I read through Hosea, it keeps reminding me of the world we live in. People are accepting immorality as the “new normal.” God is being forgotten and some are even being hostile toward Him and anyone who believes in Him. Persecution is prevalent in many countries and it may not be long before it is here too. Laws are being passed that go against God and His righteousness. People are all about what is comfortable for them and don’t want to accept consequences. We live in a “me” society. Much like Israel was in Hosea’s time. And God had a message for them.

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God’s Plan Through Jesus and the Cross

We have been discussing Jesus’ words on the cross.  God had a plan all along.  Jesus proclaimed that He accomplished it.  God spoke through Isaiah nearly 800 years earlier about this time.  Daniel mentions the coming of the Messiah over 400 years earlier and gives a specific date.  God’s message gave hope, and that hope was through Jesus Christ. Continue reading “God’s Plan Through Jesus and the Cross”

The Good and Bad of Fire

Fire will burn you, but it also provides so much to improve our daily lives.  It gives us light.  It gives us heat.  We cook with it.  We use it to purify metals and to shape them into tools and so much more.  As we discussed in the previous post, God often reveals Himself through fire.  Here we will discuss how fire is used for judgement, but it is also used to purify us, to help us to grow.  It is also used to represent the evil schemes of the devil, but we know that fire will await him in the end. Continue reading “The Good and Bad of Fire”

What Crown will We Receive?

There will be a day when we will be at Jesus feet.  Some will see Him at the Great White throne judgment, and those of us who follow Him will see Him at the Bema seat.  Those who decide to not follow Him will be judged by what they did in their life to determine where they will go.  The Great White Throne is where He will judge the nations on whether they are worthy to enter into heaven.  Unfortunately, none of us are good enough to enter heaven on our own merit. Continue reading “What Crown will We Receive?”

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