Biblical Shakers

  Click on Title for Video Intro Monday, Deuteronomy Chapter 15 Deuteronomy 15 Verses 7-8 Matt Strayer Verses 7-8:  If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the lord our God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. THOUGHT In the second address to the Israelites, Moses has recounted the Ten Commandments and the other laws given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. He urges them to obey the laws and reminds them of the consequences of disobeying God’s laws. I wanted to stress here that God commanded us to look out for the poor. Moses did not read the Ten Suggestions and other ideas. These were commands and laws. I sometimes need to remind myself of the seriousness of these laws given in Deuteronomy. I find myself thinking I can give to the poor if the perfect situation comes along. When we decide to help in any given situation our hearts need...

Click on Title for Video Introduction Monday, Deuteronomy Chapter 10 Deuteronomy 10 Verse 19 Bart Strayer  Verse 19:  So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. THOUGHT This verse got me thinking about my life and people that I surround myself with. It is easy for us Christians to surround ourselves with other Christians and grow away from the lost because we can’t relate with them. It is true. Salvation changes every perspective on your life. However, let’s not lose our ‘relate’ ability for the common unsaved person. Yes, they may have different priorities than we do, but there are ways to be their good friend and to love them without compromising our beliefs. Jesus did it all in His life.  The fundamental operation of missions is to go into unchurched regions of the world and establish relationships with nonbelievers for the opportunity to share the gospel some point down the road. Salt Shakers, let’s not shrink back into our ‘Christian c...

  Click on Title for Video Intro Monday, Deuteronomy Chapter 5 Deuteronomy 5 Verse 7 Jane Jones   Verse 7:   “You shall have no other gods before me.” THOUGHT A God is whatever people put first in their lives. Some people literally worship other gods by joining cults or stranger religions. In a more subtle way, many of us worship other gods by building our lives around something other than the one true God. If your greatest desire is for popularity, power, or money, you are devoting yourself to something other than God. To put God first, (1) recognize what is taking his place in your life, (2) renounce this substitute god as unworthy of your devotion; (3) ask God for forgiveness; (4) restructure your priorities so that love for God is the motive for everything you do; (5) examine yourself daily to be sure you are  giving God first place. With each New Year we make New Year’s resolutions. We stop to think and reflect back on our lives and reevaluate what...

  Click on title for Video Introduction Monday, Deuteronomy Introduction Deuteronomy Intro Delores Little THOUGHT The book of Deuteronomy was written to remind the Israelites of all the things in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers before they go into the Promise Land.  Moses wrote it all except the preamble and the report of Moses’s death, which was written by someone else. The setting is in the Moab area where the Jordan flows into the Dead Sea.  Moses was transferring leadership and delivered his farewell addresses to prepare the people for their entrance into Canaan. These addresses were actually a covenant renewal. You see all the people 20 years and older that left Egypt were all dead by now.  The ones who were under 20 when they left Egypt are now the ones who will go into the Promise Land. Joshua and Caleb will be the only two that came out of Egypt over 20 to go into the Promise Land. Moses emphasized the laws that were especially needed at such a time, and he pr...

  Clink on Title for Video Presentation Monday, Philippians Chapter 3A (Verses 1-11) Philippians 3A Verse 10 Jane Jones Verse 10: I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. THOUGHT Stop and think about your life...what has been your biggest sacrifice? Maybe it was a day in your life being spent entirely for someone else. Maybe it was your paycheck for a family in need. Maybe it was giving away a possession that meant so much to you. I can’t help but think of when I was five years old, and I was still sucking my thumb when in front of TV or when I went to bed. Dad and Mom told me that I would have to quit before I went to kindergarten. One day Dad said that the next time he saw me sucking my thumb he was going to take away my Tiny-Tears doll. It was my most treasured possession that I loved playing with, my only doll, and pretty much my only toy. The time came when he caught me, and I had t...

  Click on Title for Video Introduction Monday, Philippians Introduction Philippians Introduction Jeanie Boldt Paul wrote this book of Philippians to all the Christian at Philippi and all believers everywhere. He wanted to thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent Paul and to strengthen these believers by showing them that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone. Paul and his companions began the church at Philippi on his second missionary journey. This was the first church established on the European continent.  Paul was in a Roman prison at the time of this writing.   The key verse in this book is “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  (4:4) In a life dedicated to serving Christ, Paul’s desire was to know Christ above all else. Let’s rejoice with Paul in Philippians, and rededicate ourselves to finding joy in Christ.  PRAYER Father God, may we grow closer to you as we read the book of Philippians.  May Jesus Christ be our ...