Articles for tag: Joseph

God Tastes Like Fire

By Jim Tune German Anabaptist teacher Hans Hut endured the heat of persecution when he refused to have his child baptized. He was arrested in 1527 during a meeting with other Anabaptist leaders in Augsburg, Germany. Hut was tortured horribly, and died of asphyxiation during a fire that consumed the Augsburg prison on December 6, 1527. The next day, the authorities sentenced his dead body to death and burned him. A man of deep convictions and reverence for God, Hut described the holiness of God: “God tastes like fire.” God appears as flame frequently in Scripture, consuming at one moment,

Lesson for March 9, 2014: Son of David (Psalm 89; Isaiah 9:1-7; Matthew 1:18″“2:6; Luke 1:26-33)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Today”s lesson is based on three passages of Scripture. Psalm 89 affirms God”s faithfulness in keeping his amazing promise to David (2 Samuel 7) that we studied last week. There he assured David that he would have a place of greatness, that his offspring would succeed him, and that his kingdom would be established forever. Next, one of the key messianic prophecies is cited. Isaiah assures the people that Immanuel will remain beside them””literally “God with

We Follow Too

By Mark A. Taylor  “Where he leads me, I will follow.” That was Mary”s decision, finally, after she had expressed her confusion about the message the angel brought her. “I am the Lord”s servant,” she said. “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Joseph, with his own set of doubts, decided he would obey God, too. When God”s messenger explained to Joseph that his fiancée was pregnant by action of the Holy Spirit, “he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him” (Matthew 1:24). Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, obeyed God”s will, too, although

December 10, 2013

Mark A. Taylor

Getting Ready for Christmas

By Mark A. Taylor We hear plenty of exhortations to “Keep Christ in Christmas” but receive far too little help for actually doing that. Here”s a simple idea: Read and reflect on some part of the Bible”s Christmas story each day in the week-and-a-half before Christmas. Following is a plan for daily Bible reading December 15-25. The Scripture passages are short, and most are very familiar. You”ll hear some of them quoted in church services this month. But your own commitment to consider them afresh and alone can add balance and joy to your holiday this year. Or you might

O Come Let Us Adore Him

By Jackina Stark “”Tis the season to be BUSY.” The way-too-much-to-do usually begins the day after Thanksgiving. Or is the Christmas holiday stressful for only me? Just making my gift lists can wear me out, despite the fact one son-in-law never wants anything but a gift certificate. And most years rushing from store to store to purchase these gifts is a misery, with or without gale winds whipping icy snow into my face. And then, of course, those gifts I”ve toted home and hidden eventually have to be found and wrapped. I”m thrilled, of course, that my husband Tony wraps

December 25, 2005

Tom Lawson

Nativity story

Once Upon a Time in Bethlehem

In this imaginative Christmas retelling, Mary fears she has ruined God’s plan—until shepherds arrive with news of angels, glory, and a sign in Bethlehem. Regret gives way to wonder as joy breaks through the stable’s door.

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