Digging in Deeper – Page 131

Digging in Deeper: Matthew 1:18

January 9, 2019January 8, 2019Leave a comment

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter)

When was the last time you had plans for your life and they were suddenly wrecked by something over which you had zero control? That’s never a fun place to be. Even the most free-wheeling, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants person still occasionally makes plans and isn’t all that much a fan of seeing them interrupted. Joseph feels your pain.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 5:1

January 4, 2019January 2, 2019Leave a comment

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter)

Have you ever been in a place of turmoil? Of course you have. We all have. We’ve all been there multiple times. Sometimes turmoil is an almost daily affair. And in these times when life is topsy-turvy what is it that we most want? Peace. We long for peace. We need peace. We want life to feel like a scene from a Bob Ross painting. How do we get this?

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Digging in Deeper: 2 Samuel 24:15

January 2, 2019January 2, 2019Leave a comment

“So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and from Dan to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men died.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

So, let me get this straight: David did a census of his nation that God didn’t like, and He killed 70,000 people for it? What in the world are we supposed to do with this?

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Digging in Deeper: 2 Samuel 24:24

December 21, 2018December 13, 2018Leave a comment

“The king answered Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it from you for a price, for I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for twenty ounces of silver.” (CSB – Read the chapter)‬‬

Sometimes a verse of Scripture means something obvious in its context, but at the same time points forward toward a broader, deeper truth that is foundational to a life of successfully following after Jesus. This is one of those verses.

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Digging in Deeper: Luke 1:18

December 19, 2018December 13, 2018Leave a comment

“‘How can I know this?’ Zechariah asked the angel. ‘For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.'” (CSB – Read the chapter)‬‬

Have you ever received news that was totally unbelievable based on everything you knew and didn’t believe it? Each of us has a level of disbelief we are capable of suspending in a given situation. We can only handle so much wonder. That level tends to be higher the younger we are (which is why, for instance, my boys wake up every morning these days asking where Elfie is and delighting in searching for and finding him), but grows smaller and smaller the older we get. When we are asked to suspend more than our max level, we tend to put on our suspicious hats and remain incredulous until we see proof. That’s normal. When it comes to the things of God, though, it can get us into trouble.

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