July 31, 2023
August 6 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Power for Justice” (Nahum 1:1-15), by Mark Scott.
Articles for tag: Mercy
March 20, 2023
March 26 | Lead Me to Righteousness
Amos, the farmer prophet, pleaded with Israel to seek the Lord and live. Several unrighteous deeds were identified as needing to be eradicated. The most pronounced was idolatry. . . .
March 1, 2023
Good + Grace = Great (Marriages)
By Rudy and Osharye Hagood There is something wonderful about a perfect gift. When God created vegetation, day and night, wild animals, crawling things, he declared each of those things to be “good.” Yet God outdid himself when he gave us a spouse. God even got an “amen” from Adam, who said, “Now this is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). In his own image, male and female, God created them, giving them dominion (care and management of, concern for, and rule over the earth), and God declared it “very good.” Husbands and wives are
February 27, 2023
March 5 | Forgive My Unfaithfulness
The theme for Hosea might be, “Good News from a Troubled Home.” God’s love for his people was on display at Hosea’s house. This minor prophet had married Gomer, who was unfaithful to him. But Hosea had purchased her back as an object lesson for Israel. . . .
February 20, 2023
February 26 | Application (‘Pay Attention to What Matters Most’)
Jesus warned about the folly of neglecting “the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23). Do we pay attention to the things that matter most?
July 1, 2022
The World Is Sick and Jesus Is the Cure
By Jerry Harris We’ve been ready for COVID-19 to end for two-plus years, but throughout this season I have seen the faithfulness of God in many ways. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. . . . For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well (Luke 12:22-23, 30-31).
June 20, 2022
Boasting in Our Weaknesses
By Michael C. Mack As the apostle Paul told his story, he wrote, But [the Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me (2 Corinthians 12:9). Most of us are good at boasting about our strengths: our natural abilities, our giftedness, and the talents we have worked hard to develop. We have physical strengths, intellectual capacities, emotional competence, relational aptitudes, and spiritual giftedness. There are even assessments that measure our strengths.
February 21, 2022
The Undiscovered Country
Exploration of the unknown was a common theme in Gene Roddenberry’s fictitious Star Trek stories. Roddenberry sought to avoid spiritual truths, yet there are many lessons for Christians embedded in those futuristic fables. . . .
September 27, 2021
Visible Reminders
The narrative draws an interesting picture. The curtain hid the mercy seat and ark, leaving visible only the ends of the poles by which the ark was carried. . . .
September 20, 2021
Sept. 26 | Application
Hebrews 12 compares two mountains. Mount Sinai was dark and scary, and for most people it was unapproachable. Fortunately for us, Jesus is “the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 12:24), so we are invited to a different kind of mountaintop experience.
September 13, 2021
It’s All About Jesus
No person mentioned in the Old Testament or New Testament could have imagined how history would one day come together and finally make sense at the cross.
September 6, 2021
Cleansing
We gather around the Lord’s Table today in a different time and under a new covenant, but in the presence of the same God who cleanses sin.
September 1, 2021
Our 9/11 Journey of Escape and Transformation
“Get up! Get up!” my husband yelled, “Someone’s bombed the World Trade Center!” I struggled to sit up, but one glimpse of the fear in Brian’s eyes jolted me fully awake. I jumped out of bed and followed him to our terrace. Brian and I had just moved into this apartment only six blocks south of the World Trade Center complex, and our 24th-floor terrace provided a coveted view of the city. Now, we could see thick black smoke rolling from the North Tower. Emergency vehicles raced toward the World Trade Center—lights flashing, sirens blaring. Suddenly, something caught my eye.
May 17, 2021
May 23 | Application
Do we trust God to vindicate us and deliver us from injustice when the time is right?
May 17, 2021
May 23 | Discovery
What are the differences between being “right” and being “righteous”?
CICM Responds to Unprecedented Surge of COVID-19 in India
People are flocking to Central India Christian Mission’s new hospital in the city of Damoh for treatment of COVID-19. CICM founding director Ajai Lall described the challenges CICM is facing as well as some tangible ways people might help.
February 15, 2021
Feb 21 | Discovery
Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. In what specific ways did you act with love and mercy toward others last week? 2. What opportunity came your way or what challenge did you face as you acted with love and mercy? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read James 3:1-12 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the main points of the passage. 3. In general, why should we be careful with what we say? 4. Let’s dig deeper into this Bible passage:
December 28, 2020
Jan 3 | Do the Opposite
In an episode of the TV show Seinfeld, Jerry’s friend George sits in the coffee shop bemoaning his bad luck. He says, “My life is the opposite of everything I want it to be. Every instinct I have, in every aspect of life . . . it’s all been wrong.”
December 21, 2020
Discovery Questions for December 27, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Dec. 27, 2020: Fulfilled through Hope (Matthew 12:1-23) “He’s Got Your Back” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack Leader: Provide extra time for this lesson, especially for question 2 as you recap this past year and question 9 as you plan for next year. 1. What challenge or blessing did you experience last week? 2. What was your biggest challenge and your biggest blessing of 2020? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Matthew 12:1-23 one after the other, preferably from different
‘Why All the Different Names?’
Barry Cameron wrote this essay about church names in 1989 while he was serving with First Christian Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. Cameron started with First Christian, now called New Day Christian Church, in 1980. In 1992, Cameron became senior pastor with Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, where he continues to serve. _ _ _ “We’re Not the Only Christians . . . But We’re Christians Only” By Barry L. CameronApril 23, 1989; p. 15 “We’re not the only Christians . . . but we’re Christians only.” I heard that statement for the first time when I was
