The Change of a Moment

Posted on 2013/05/20 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 6:10 says: “All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly dismayed; they shall turn back, be put to shame IN A MOMENT.” This verse reminds us that SO much can happen, in God’s plan, “in a moment” of time. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Important Balance in Worship

Posted on 2013/05/19 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 2:11 commands: “Worship Yahweh with reverence; rejoice with trembling.” Here we find an important balance commanded for our worship. We are to worship with “reverence” — and yet “rejoice.” We are to “rejoice” — yet “with trembling.” It reminds one of the response of the women at Jesus’ resurrection, when Matthew 28:8 says they departed with “fear and great joy.”

Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Zealous For Good Deeds

Posted on 2013/05/18 by Shawn Thomas

Titus 2:14 says that Jesus “gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” The verse opens with what we might consider a typical presentation of the gospel: “Who gave Himself for us to redeem us” – but then it follows with an important description: “From every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people … zealous for good deeds.”

Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , | Leave a comment

My Part/God’s Part

Posted on 2013/05/17 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 1:3 says: “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” The “He” in :3 refers to the man whom :1-2 describes, who does not walk in the ways of the wicked, but who instead delights in the Law of The Lord. This verse promises some great things for this man, but the results are not his responsibility — nor ours.

Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Right Side of History

Posted on 2013/05/16 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 2:1-3 asks: “Why are the nations in an uproar, and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us.'”
Although this ultimately refers to an eschatological (end times) event, :1-3 are also a picture of what happens every time man rebels against God, when they reject His word regarding any issue.

Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Origin of All Skill

Posted on 2013/05/15 by Shawn Thomas

In Exodus 31:2-3 God says: “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.” The Lord asserted that the skill that Bezalel had, was given to him by Him – and He subsequently instructed him to use that skill in the construction of the tabernacle for worship.

Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Little Condo On The Prairie

Posted on 2013/05/14 by Shawn Thomas

Another week has gone by in our “little condo on the prairie”; highlighted by my first opportunity to preach in about eight months since I have been sick. Libby will be delivering our first grandchild soon, and we are still enjoying the close fellowship … Continue reading →

Posted in Home & Family Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

No “Family Plan”

Posted on 2013/05/14 by Shawn Thomas

Exodus 30:12 says: “When you take a census of the sons of Israel to number them, then each of them shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord …”. Each individual member of the people of Israel was responsible to see that his own ransom was paid (:13 tells us that the ransom was a half shekel each). This reminds us that we are each accountable for ourselves to the Lord. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“A Heritage of Faith” (Mothers Day Message 2013)

Posted on 2013/05/13 by Shawn Thomas

II Timothy 1:5 “A Heritage of Faith” Mothers Day 2013

One of the things that has been very gratifying to Cheryl & I in recent years has been seeing our kids adopt some of our family traditions for their own. Cheryl especially has enjoyed talking with the kids on the phone during the holidays, helping them to get their cinnamon rolls to rise, or telling them how to make icing, or how to melt the chocolate to dip the Christmas candy in. But as good as that is, there is something more important we can pass down to our children than our best holiday recipes: and that is the heritage of our Christian faith. This is what we see in our passage for today, II Timothy 1:5: Continue reading →

Posted in Home & Family Life, Sermons | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Greatest Blessing

Posted on 2013/05/11 by Shawn Thomas

In Exodus 29:45 God said: “I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God.” The great blessing of Israel was not invincible military might, unequalled prosperity, or unique religious rituals – but that GOD HIMSELF would dwell among them. We need to realize that this is STILL the greatest blessing a people can attain. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment