With Thanksgiving behind us, we shift into Christmas and our secrets begin. We don’t tell Uncle Johnny about the fishing pole wrapped in a refrigerator box beside the tree, or little Susie about the American Doll she’ll finally get this year (that she’s been asking for since she was four). But a few other secrets pop up around the holidays …
Real People, Real God—Samuel, Hannah, Eli
Download the Study Notes Today, we begin with a look at Samuel’s parents (before they were parents)—Elkanah and Hannah. They are a wonderful picture of faithfulness to Yahweh during the time of Israel’s judges. Remember the time of the Judges? “Israel had no king, and everyone did as they saw fit.” Judges 21:25 (emphasis added) The Non-Example To illustrate how low Israel had …
Real People, Real God—Joshua in the Promised Land
Download the Study Notes Have you ever been asked to do something so beyond your ability that you felt like giving up before you even started? Today’s character study begins with a glimpse of Moses’ final days and then focuses on Joshua, a man assigned a God-sized task…. Israel leaves Sinai The Israelites had been camped at the base …
Aaron—Let the Mediating Begin
Have you noticed how important that first point-of-contact person is at your doctor’s office? We used to call them receptionists, but they have different titles nowadays. “Patient Care Specialist” (PCS) is the most appropriate title I’ve seen for those mediators who are really good at their jobs. Concerns arise when my favorite and fabulous PCS leaves the practice, and I …
Real People, Real God—Bezalel and the Tabernacle
Download the Study Notes A Tabernacle Build With New Hearts “Then all the congregation of the people of Israel…came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord ‘s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting…So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought …