Don't Like Your Body?

Beauty queens were interviewed and everyone of them found something about their appearance they wished they could change. How about you? Are you pleased with your hair, teeth, height and weight? Before allowing the world to squeeze us into their mold, let’s reaffirm that God is our Creator and He doesn’t make any mistakes!

Hear the word of the Lord. “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Paul said, “For we are His workmanship,” literally masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). God even takes credit for making the so-called handicapped (Exodus 4:11).

So don’t let the world body shame you, instead accept the size and shape of your body as a divine gift perfectly created by a loving Heavenly Father.

Jesus in the Book of Ruth

It is so fun to see pictures of Jesus in the Old Testament. One such picture is found in the love story between Ruth and Boaz. Boaz foreshadows Jesus. Notice what Boaz (Jesus) did for her (us):

  1. Provides for her

  2. Protects her

  3. Purchases her

The Rich Young Ruler

The Rich Young Ruler:

  • He asked the right question

  • He asked the right person

  • He made the wrong decision

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mk 10:17–22).

Clarity in Life

MARK 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” 39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

  1. JESUS WAS A MAN OF PRAYER

  2. JESUS WAS A MAN OF PURPOSE

  3. JESUS WAS A MAN OF PREACHING

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Last Words

On April 9, 1945, Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is hanged at Flossenburg, only days before the American liberation of the POW camp. The last words of the brilliant and courageous 39-year-old opponent of Nazism were “This is the end—for me, the beginning of life.”

Goads and Nails

Solomon explained preaching with two images, “The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd” (Ecclesiastes 12:11).

A goad is a long pointed stick used to prod livestock. Solomon is saying that good preaching ought to move people forward. It exhorts and urges positive movement.

But Solomon also said that good preaching is like a nail. It “nails down” certain truths, keeps them from slipping away. It locks down bible-based beliefs.

Good preaching then is about both duty and doctrine. It is about behavior and belief. The one takes a goad, the other a nail.

What the Best Preachers Do

Ezra “determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

Good Preachers . . .

  1. Study the Word

  2. Obey the Word

  3. Teach the Word

And please don’t get them out of order! Don’t try to teach until you first do. For you cannot teach what you do no know and you cannot lead where you will not go.

Oregon Trail Landmarks

Leaving Missouri travelers along the Oregon Trail looked for these important landmarks,.

  1. Fort Carney

  2. Courthouse and Jail Rock

  3. Chimney Rock

  4. Scotts Bluffs

  5. Fort Laramie

  6. Register Cliff

  7. Independence Rock

  8. South Pass

  9. Fort Hall

  10. Fort Boise

  11. The Dalles

  12. Fort Vancouver

Just as there were signs encouraging the people in the westward journey, there are signs for Christians today as we grow closer to Christ’s return. See blogpost of October 21 entitled, “Nine Signs of Christ’s Return.”