Jesus

The name “Jesus” is probably on the lips and in the thoughts of millions of people more at this time of year than at any other. Christmas is near. The word “Christmas” is a combination of two words: “Christ” and “mass,” first used in Old English around 1038 A.D. Although the holiday isn’t named after Jesus, per se, “Christmas” certainly represents what he came to accomplish in God’s plan to save lost humanity. Want to know more about the history of Christmas? https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/25th Let’s spend the remainder of our time […]

The Christmas Promise (part two)

Today, we continue exploring The Christmas Promise by answering the last two questions I raised in last week’s blog. https://www.cosdavis.com/the-christmas-promise/.  One of the many good qualities of my parents was their dependability. I could trust them to be honest with me and tell me the truth, even if I didn’t appreciate it at the time. This, of course, implied that I could expect to get a pony if they promised to fulfill my fantasy. I never got the pony, but I was never disappointed by them making a promise they couldn’t […]

The Christmas Promise

One of my fantasies while growing up on the farm was to have a pony. This would make a perfect Christmas gift and would further my ambition to become a cowboy like some of my childhood movie heroes. The pony I wanted was advertised in a mail-order catalog and would be shipped to my house for only $599.00. Looking back on this, I now realize $599.00 was a small fortune to my parents, who were living paycheck to paycheck. My pleading for the slightest hint of a promise was dismissed […]

Gratitude

What do you do when you are having a bad day? Maybe you’re having a bad week or even worse, a bad year. What I have to say to you may not immediately change your circumstances, but it can change your attitude, leading you to a better way of thinking and acting. Better thinking and acting will help you address your problems more positively, rather than giving in to the temptation of victimhood. I’m about one month away from my eighty-first birthday. I’ve made many trips around the sun on […]

God’s Purpose and His Promise to Moses

Several months ago, we began a biblical journey to discover more about God by examining some of His promises. The primary purpose of the Bible is to help us understand who God is, who we are, and His plan for us and His creation. A significant way to understand God and His character is to investigate His promises and whether He has kept them. We began in the Garden of Eden with God’s promise of a redeemer, and from there, thrilled at the stories of God’s grace and provision with […]

God’s Name and You (Part Three)

In last week’s post, I emphasized two ways in which God’s name is sacred to devout Jews and Christians. His name is a covenant name and a memorial name. Today, I want to explore a couple of questions about how we “handle” or use God’s name. My questions are based on God’s commandment to the Israelite nation in the second of the “Ten Commandments.” I know I am “jumping ahead,” knowing  Moses has not yet led the Israelites out of bondage, but since we have been focusing on God’s name, […]

God’s Name and You (Part Two)

Today, we continue to consider some implications of God’s name for those of us who want to honor it. If you missed last week’s post, here’s a link that will help you connect it to what we’re discussing today. https://www.cosdavis.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5486&action=edit&classic-editor&classic-editor__forget God’s Name is a Covenant Name Remember, God made a covenant with Abraham, a promise that was passed on to Isaac, Jacob, and ultimately to the Jewish people. Yahweh was the name of the God of Israel, not that of other countries or cultures. This was a special name for […]

The Name and You

In the last post, we learned that God’s name, Yahweh, means “I will continue to be what I have always been.” Remember that God said this to Moses after introducing Himself to Moses, saying, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”  What is Moses supposed to conclude about God from what God has said to him? Moses was so busy arguing his position that he didn’t fully grasp the impact of what he was hearing. It’s impossible […]

Why is God’s Name Important?

When Moses encountered God at the blazing bush, God introduced Himself as ” The God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Exodus 3:6. God continues to talk with Moses about His plan to free Moses’ kin from Egyptian bondage. Everything God had to say was exceedingly pleasing to Moses until He said this, “Come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:10. As you […]

The God of Abraham

As mentioned in earlier blogs, Moses lived in a polytheistic world where each nation or culture had its god or gods. For example, the Canaanites worshipped a god named Baal. The Ammonites’ primary god was Molech. And, the Egyptians had many gods. These gods were said to be contained or confined to their own country; leaving your country meant that you left your god behind. If your army defeated another country in battle, it meant your god was stronger than the god of the country you defeated. The God of […]