Tag Archives: hope

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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The Faith of Joseph

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew 1:18-25 This scene explains the ambiguity that we found in 1:16 regarding the father of Jesus, and I’m sure you will recall our discussion of that from last time. Joseph was betrothed to Mary, which in that place and … Continue reading →

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The Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Conclusions

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Don Merritt

I’ll confess to you right here and now that when I sit down to read the Bible, I skip the genealogies, but when I sit down to study the Bible, I look for genealogies. For many who casually read the … Continue reading →

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The Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:6-17

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Don Merritt

Matthew continues his genealogy as he moves from the first group of 14 names to the next. The first group culminates in King David, that glorious figure who is “a man after God’s own heart”, with whom God made a … Continue reading →

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The Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:1-6

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Don Merritt

I thought that since we are heading into the Christmas season, it might be fun to review texts that reinforce who it is that we are celebrating in this season. We’ll cover some more messianic prophecy, and we’ll continue with … Continue reading →

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I AM

Posted on December 4, 2016 by Don Merritt

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” John 8:58 This verse comes at the end of a rather long discussion between Jesus and the Jewish leaders that began with the validity of His testimony, and moved to … Continue reading →

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Visions of Christmas Past- Redux

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Don Merritt

The Christmas season is upon us, and even I can’t put it off any longer! I thought that it might be fun to take a look at it from two different points of view, looking back and looking forward.  Today, … Continue reading →

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