I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15 NIV) When we become a friend of Christ, are we no longer a servant? Or, does friendship […]
Category Archives: Gleanings from the Word
Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents,[a] and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.” (2 Samuel 11:11 NLT) […]
So they asked the Lord, “Where is he?” And the Lord replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.”. (1 Samuel 10:22 NLT) Commentators have often said that this incident showed the early modesty or humility of Saul. It is possible to start out on the right path and end up on the wrong one. It […]
And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. He said, “If you give me victory over the Ammonites, I will give to the Lord whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” (Judges 11:30-31 NLT) Sometimes we can do things to bring […]
All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” (John 8:7b NLT) We often condemn people for the same sins we are committing. The accused in this story becomes more righteous than her accusers. Christ is the only one qualified to throw the first stone. Jesus had a way […]
Once upon a time the trees decided to choose a king. First they said to the olive tree,‘Be our king!’ But the olive tree refused, saying, ‘Should I quit producing the olive oil that blesses both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?’ (Judges 9:8 NLT) Pursuing leadership is a good thing […]
Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. (Luke 22:54 NASB) Peter’s Denial Peter tried to follow what was happening to Christ without being seen. One of the gravest mistakes we can make is to try and follow Jesus […]
After all the land was divided among the tribes, the Israelites gave a piece of land to Joshua as his allocation. For the Lord had said he could have any town he wanted. (Joshua 19:49-50a NLT) Joshua was the oldest and most significant of all Israel, yet he was the last to receive his inheritance. Joshua […]
Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too. (Matthew 26:35 NASB) Peter’s denial of Christ Peter made a bold statement, but he did not understand his own heart. He was sincere in his belief that he could never […]
Moreover, he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never again return that way.’ He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver […]