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Leaven for Thought John 3:16 New International Version 16  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. This passage of scripture conveys the Good News of God's amazing gift to the world. Unfortunately, some of us process its words too quickly and think of "eternal life" in simplistic terms. The phrase in this passage is not speaking about how long our souls will exist. Souls will exist fore

Leaven for Thought Genesis 4:3-8 (NIV) 3  In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.  4  And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,  5  but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6  Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  7  If yo

Leaven for Thought The word "Qorbanot" was the name for the historic Jewish system of sacrificial offerings. The root from which it is derived means "to draw near." It is a fitting label. While it depicts the literal act of a giver bringing offerings near to God, its metaphor goes deeper. The Holy Scripture itself makes it clear that God intends that our giving would draw us closer to Him and each other. Use of that label helped teach ancient Israel that intent. I wonder how

Leaven for Thought Hosea 6:6 Revised Standard Version 6  For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings. It is important to note that the original Hebrew word used in this verse for "knowledge" refers to more than acquiring factual information about God. Like the original Greek word often used for "know" in the New Testament, it is experiential knowledge, reflecting intimate relationship with God. Based on this verse's phrasin

Leaven for Thought I was in Athens, standing on Mars Hill where Paul spoke these words: Acts 17:24-25 New International Version 24  “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything . Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. In that context, it seemed strange to me that contemporary conversation about

Leaven for Thought Luke 10: 25-37 (NIV) 25  On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26  “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27  He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28  “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you

Leaven John 21: 15-17 NRSVU 15  When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16  A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17  He said to him the third time, “Simon son o

Leaven for Thought Imagine giving instructions to your bank about one of your accounts that they refused to obey. After all, you are the owner, and they are simply a steward of the money you deposit with them. The money is in the bank's possession, but you maintain control over its use. With that in mind, isn't it interesting that in our conversations and thoughts about giving, we often examine our will but not God's. The American Association of Christian Counselors sponsors

Leaven for Thought There is depth and breadth to what God achieves through Christian Giving. One of the first things He does is to present us an opportunity to examine ourselves and what we feel about our relationship. How we feel about the opportunity to give reveals whether we are only motivated by external instruction or are also responding to our heart for the relationship. It was my birthday. My wife, sons and I were sitting in our family room, and I was preparing to ope