Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Matthew 14:22-33; Romans 10:5-15 – August 9, 2020 INTROUCTION TO GENESIS 37:1-4;12-28 Jacob, now also known as Israel finally has a son by his beloved Rachel. That son is named Joseph. Sibling rivalry being what it is evolves into attempted fratricide only to be curtailed by an opportunity to make a financialContinue reading “Steps of Faith”
Author Archives: Joyful Life
Faith Lift: Our Worst and Our Best
One of the most colorful people in the Bible is David. One of the first Bible stories that many children learn is about David as a boy and how he was able to slay the giant Goliath through the power of the Lord. I remember spending a lot of time looking at that picture inContinue reading “Faith Lift: Our Worst and Our Best”
God’s Blessing
Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Genesis 32:22-31; Matthew 14:13-21; Romans 9:1-5 – August 3, 2020 INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSION–GENESIS 32:22-31 Jacob has a hard time at night. Last week we read that as he left his home to find his dream wife, he had a dream of a Ladder coming down from heaven. Now as he prepares toContinue reading “God’s Blessing”
Faith Lift: Surprise!
This Sunday I will be preaching on Jesus’ miracle of feeding 5,000 with one kid’s happy meal-and that was just the men. They didn’t count the women and children. It is the one story that made the cut in all four gospels. (of course they all told the story of Jesus’ resurrection.) The disciples andContinue reading “Faith Lift: Surprise!”
The Rule of God
Genesis 29:15-28; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52 – July 26, 2020 Hear the word of God from Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52… Let us pray. Open our eyes to see your truth. Open our ears to hear your voice. Open our souls to sense your touch. Open our hearts to feel your love. Open our minds toContinue reading “The Rule of God”
Faith Lift: Last Will & Testament
My last article told you about my new purchase of a newer less-used Prius than the one I had. This one has 100,000 less miles driven on it. One of the things that I lost in the trade-in was my Jack-in-the-box antennae ball that helped me find my car in parking lots. So on SaturdayContinue reading “Faith Lift: Last Will & Testament”
The Patient Farmer
Genesis 28:10-22; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43; Romans 8:12-25 – July 19, 2020 INTRODUCTION Genesis 28:10-19a In the verses just prior to ones I am about to read, we learn that Esau marries the daughter of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham born to Hagar, the Egyptian servant of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Not only did Jacob’s olderContinue reading “The Patient Farmer”
Faith Lift: Filters
As of today I start on my fourth Prius. I turned in my 2005 model for a new car for my wife and took over her 2008 model. Both cars lasted over 150,000 miles before I traded them in on the next one. Today I traded in my 3rd Prius for a newer model. IContinue reading “Faith Lift: Filters”
The Great Sower
Genesis 25:19-34; Psalm 119:105-112; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23 – July 12, 2020 INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 25:19-34 Once again, God seems to linger in fulfilling his promise to make a great nation of Abraham’s progeny. Isaac is 40 by the time he married Rebekah. Another 20 years go by before his wife gives birth toContinue reading “The Great Sower”
Faith Lift: Following Signs
The last time I flew in a plane I need to make a visit to the rest room. Once inside I noticed big signs that said, “No Smoking.” (You know the kind with a picture of what you’re not supposed to do with a red circle around it and a line through it) However, IContinue reading “Faith Lift: Following Signs”