Tag Archives: discipleship

Father Abraham: High Ground Reclaimed

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Don Merritt

Genesis 13 After leaving Egypt Abram and his party returned eventually to Canaan where they settled and tended to their herds of livestock; Abram became quite wealthy. After some time it became clear that the herds had grown to the … Continue reading →

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God’s Vineyard

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Don Merritt

Isaiah 5:1-7 Here is another Messianic Prophecy, although it really isn’t one that’s often mentioned because it isn’t the most pleasant, dealing as it does with God’s judgment. Even so, it too is an important part of the “Christmas Story”. … Continue reading →

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Father Abraham: Abram’s Travel Adventures

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Don Merritt

Genesis 12:10-20 After God called Abram, he packed up everything and everyone in his rather considerable household and set off for a destination God would show him, and as we discussed in the last section, this is one of the … Continue reading →

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Father Abraham: God’s Call

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Don Merritt

Maybe I’m crazy but I think Abraham is someone we should remember when we consider the “Christmas Story”. Oh, I realize that the birth of Christ came some 2,000 years after he died, so I’m not suggesting he’s a character … Continue reading →

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The Night When God was Naked Before Man

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Don Merritt

I like nativity scenes; they are the one thing we see around us this time of year that actually have something to do with what we are supposed to be celebrating. Yet sadly, even most nativity scenes, whether sculpted or … Continue reading →

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Matthew’s Interesting Use of Isaiah 7:14

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Don Merritt

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 As a Christian reading this verse as translated in the NIV, and then seeing Matthew’s reference to it in … Continue reading →

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The Shoot from the Stump of Jesse

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Don Merritt

Isaiah 11:1-16 Chapter 11 is the beginning of the concluding portion of the first section within the Book of Isaiah which runs from chapter one through chapter twelve. Here, the prophet takes a victorious view of better days ahead to … Continue reading →

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A Serpent is Lifted Up

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Don Merritt

Numbers 21:4-9 In this section, the Israelites are going the long way around Edom, which they will not cross because the Edomites, who are the descendants of Esau, are hostile to them. This is a very harsh desert region that … Continue reading →

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Glory Hallelujah!

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Don Merritt

Joel has just described the final judgment of God against those who, despite His offers of grace, have opposed and oppressed His people, and who have opposed God Himself. We pick up the action in verse 17: “Then you will … Continue reading →

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The Final Act

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Don Merritt

Joel 3:4-16 In these verses, God deals with those who have opposed Him and who have refused His offer of grace: This is His Final Judgment. As you will recall from last time, 3:4 is the beginning of His indictment … Continue reading →

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