Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:6 NASB Laugh– Abraham’s household journeys to Gerar. Once again he faces a king who might consider Sarah a prize. Abraham does not wait to measure the morality of the king. He retreats to a strategy that worked in the past. He pawns Sarah…
But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.” So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.Genesis 16:6 NASB In your power – Abram is a man caught in the middle. Not standing up for God’s promise in the first place has…
“May God decide which of us is right” Genesis 16:5 Eugene Peterson The Message Is right– Sarai’s attempt to usurp God’s plan has the same consequences as Havvah’s enticement. Her life becomes much worse. Instead of fulfilling her desires for happiness, Hagar’s pregnancy brings humiliation, envy, and anger. Now she must live with a servant whose body shows everyone…
“May God decide which of us is right” Genesis 16:5 Eugene Peterson The Message Is right – Two intervening stories occur before we return to the saga of Sarai. In the first interlude, Abram takes a very different posture with his nephew Lot. He permits Lot’s choice over a dispute about grazing rights, in spite of the…
just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. 1 Peter 3:6 NASB Calling him lord – Peter places Sarah in the hall of saints. But of course he would. She is the matriarch of all matriarchs, the first, the original. …
Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. Joshua 9:15 NASB A covenant– We know the story, a tragic one. God instructs Joshua to spare no one as the Israelites march into the Promised Land. God wants the slate to be…
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. Romans…
Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.” Genesis 4:1 NASB The man– We’ve looked at this Genesis story many, many times. Perhaps you’ve read my book[1]about it. In the book, I didn’t spend time looking at this…
Most of you know about Children Under the Bridge, our program to help the children of prostitutes in Jakarta. We have accomplished a lot over the last two years. Some young women are no longer sex workers. Many of the children are being educated and receive skills training. We are supply medicine, clean water and…
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB Dwell – You probably learned this verse in the King James version: “Think on these things.” That version…
