Harsh labour is one of the things we know about the Israelites living in Egypt. Very few of us can imagine that time in history when the Israelites were driven so hard for so long. They had given up all hope of change until Moses came along to rescue them.
These verses from Colossians are part of a chapter on encouragement for day to day living which can apply to any of us. The point Paul is making is that we as believers and followers of Jesus must be different to those around us who do not have that joy.
This month we will think about what God says concerning work. His work and ours! We will start with this encouraging and challenging psalm written by Asaph, who was a musician in the priestly tribe of the Levites. Today we would say he was a worship leader and song writer.
Here Jesus was chastising the Pharisees and Sadducees who were once more trying to test Him. They were constantly trying to trip Jesus up and get Him to say something that would prove he was a false prophet, and certainly not The Messiah that many were believing Him to be.
Clouds without rain are the pretty ones that make for nice photos when people go on holiday. But in a dry country area, they are pointless! Those people are looking for real clouds who help the land to bring forth fruit, as we saw yesterday. Read the letter of Jude.
Another farming picture in the verse today. We all want to have more and more blessings from our Heavenly Father. I am convinced that He has so much more for us than any of us have yet received. If we are thirsty enough, we will receive more blessings from Heaven.
The writer sounds as though he is having a bad day. Was he feeling depressed or was he really searching for the meaning of life and could not find it? King Solomon had been a privileged child, the son of King David, and basically could have had whatever he desired.
Sometimes unusual things happen in the weather patterns. But who turns to God to ask why? Maybe some blame Him for what is not normal. But how often do we give Him glory and praise for the weather. Are there too many things that many of us take for granted?
In the last chapter of the Bible we read a description of Heaven. But it is so far from our experiences that it is hard to imagine. What a privilege it was for John to have that angel give him a personal guided tour of where he would spend eternity.
Melchizedek shared bread and wine with Abram and blessed him. Abram gave this king a tenth of everything he had gained from the battles. It is from this verse that the church began the tradition of tithing a tenth of everything to the Lord or to His work on earth.