May 3, 2021

As Moses is judging the people his father-in law sees it is not good the way it is being done and gives Moses the advice to appoint others to judge the smaller matters. Moses should just judge the hard cases or else he is going to wear himself out. But Jethro recognizes that Moses must answer to God not to him. In 18:23 Jethro says” If you do this thing, and God also commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace”. When giving others advice we must remember that it is ultimately up to God to tell them what to do. This is also true when you are receiving advice. Get godly counsel but do what God is telling.

Exodus 17-20

May 2, 2021

There are those that teach when you die that you go into something they call soul sleep. They say that you don’t go to heaven right away, you have to wait until the Lord returns. I prefer this “we are confident, yes, we’ll pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (5:8). Paul was happy about the idea of dying and going to go be with Jesus. I don’t think he would have been that willing if he was going to have to wait around in the ground until the last resurrection.

2 Corinthians 4-5

Pastor Roger Dean

May 1, 2021

“Take heed that no one deceives you” (13:5). “But watch out for yourselves” (13:9a). “So also, when you see these things happening, know it is near-at the doors” (13:29). “Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is” (13:33). “Watch therefore” (13:35a). “And what I say to you I say to all. Watch!” (13:37)……..Are you paying attention?

The Gospel of Mark 13-14

Pastor Roger Dean

April 30, 2021

One thing that you see from God is His concern for the strangers, fatherless and widows. Rulers are especially told that they need to execute justice and righteousness towards them (22:3). God’s heart is towards those who cannot take care of themselves, and you see this throughout scripture. But we also see that the rich man’s heart is toward himself. While some rule well (22:15), helping others is not a priority for most. We get to decide which way we want to live. But God says if we defend the poor and needy, we show that we know Him (22:16). When we know Him, we show concern like Him for the less fortunate.

Jeremiah 22-26

Pastor Roger Dean

April 29, 2021

I know Christians who believe that abortion is ok. But when I read verses like this I can’t see how. “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” Job 33:4. If God is the one who gives us life, then who are we to destroy that life? All the reasons that people give for allowing abortion are trumped by this thought. All their reasons lead to death. But God gives life. Jesus said “The thief does not come but to kill, steal and to destroy. But I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10. If people are Christians, they should be able to discern which is better, death or life. But unfortunately, too many of them make their moral choices based on societies teachings instead of the scriptures.

Job 33-34

April 28, 2021

“For this is God, our God forever and ever, He will be our guide even to death” 48:14. The Hebrew is hard to translate in the last part of the verse. Instead of “even to death” it may be better understood as “unto eternity”. Man was created to be eternal. With God as our guide, we don’t have to fear death. When we know Jesus as our Savior, we know we are spending eternity in heaven. I’m guessing that not many of the unsaved even consider that they also are eternal. They will live forever where no one wants to go 3 seconds, hell. Make God your guide, receive Christ into your life today. You will be eternally grateful.

Psalms 48-50

April 27, 2021

Revenge is an ugly business. In 3:22-30 we find Joab murdering Abner. Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel. King David didn’t know about the plot and went to great lengths to disavow any knowledge of it. Abner had just entered into an agreement with David to help him have control over all the tribes of Israel. Blood feuds has been common among certain people groups. In fact that is one reason that God established cities of refuge. Even if you had killed someone accidentally their family could take revenge against you. When you feel like exacting your revenge remember Proverbs 20:22 “Do not say I will recompense evil, wait for the Lord and He will save you”. If we truly believe that God fights for us we need to let Him fight all our battles.

2 Samuel 1-4

April 26, 2021

In 15:26 God declares “For I am the Lord who heals you”. There are those who try to explain away the idea that God actually heals physically. But it is clear from this verse and many others that the healing He is talking about is for physical afflictions. (Read the entire verse, it is quite lengthy and I only quoted the last part). According to Isaiah 53: 4 Jesus bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. Griefs literally means pains and sorrows means sickness. Sin brought sickness into the world. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross removes our sin. By entering into a covenant relationship with Jesus we accept not only forgiveness but healing in every realm. The healing is not just spiritual but is also physical.

Exodus 13-16

Pastor Roger Dean