Formations Archives - Page 3 of 25

We clearly hear that God's answer to our spiritual blindness and self-centered perspective appears in our world as the child of an obscure descendant of King David. He is celebrated by an older cousin who also bears a son, who will announce the arrival of

Bible Commentary

Gabriel and Mary

November 24, 2019

author: Michael K. Olmsted (12-1 Formations)

Mary has been described as the mother of God, a co-redemptress, sinless, and the womb of God's grace. None of those exalted titles captures the humility, tensions, fears, and incredible spiritual strength of this woman.

Bible Commentary

The Water of Life

November 17, 2019

author: Michael K. Olmsted (11-24 Formations)

Heaven is not that place where we get the big house and the wealth of Solomon. Heaven is that place where we will live in the healing, nurture, and undimmed beauty of God's love.

Bible Commentary

The Prospect of Judgment

November 10, 2019

author: Michael K. Olmsted (11-17 Formations)

We who describe ourselves as “God's sheep” should remember there is some “goat” in us all. Our calling is not to become superior to others but to be loving, like our Savior. That involves a lifetime of learning and growing.

Bible Commentary

The Age-Old Question

October 27, 2019

author: Michael K. Olmsted (11-3 Formations)

Job asks a lot of questions, endures the shallow judgments and worn platitudes of his contemporaries – and ends up discovering that God has more surprises and blessings than we can begin to understand!

Bible Commentary

Josiah’s Reform

October 20, 2019

author: Michael K. Olmsted (10-27 Formations)

How did Solomon's splendid temple and the key worship practices of Israel fade from their culture? Gradually – through indifference, preoccupation, or fading memories of the past – the people replaced faith in God with the common goals of the world.

Bible Commentary

Solomon’s Temple

October 13, 2019

author: Michael K. Olmsted (10-20 Formations)

We look back at the days of Solomon and those who followed him as a time of selfish choices and spiritual ignorance among God's “chosen” people. But what about us? Are we really any different?

Bible Commentary

God’s Promise

October 6, 2019

author: Michael K. Olmsted (10-13 Formations)

It is human nature to want God in a tangible form, to mark a place where we can sense God is present – something that connects us to God's promises.

Bible Commentary

David’s Hope

September 30, 2019

author: Michael K. Olmsted (10-6 Formations)

Like Solomon we are aware of God's promises and his call for us to be a different kind of people who will love him and live out his grace. Will we trust God in these difficult times

Bible Commentary

Living in God’s Son

September 22, 2019

author: Michael K. Olmsted (9-29 Formations)

The Apostle John writes out of his personal experiences through the years of Jesus' ministry and resurrection. In 1 John, written to a congregation challenged by popular false religion and doubt, John tells them they can “know” the truth of Jesus thirty-nine times!

Mary and Elizabeth

Gabriel and Mary

The Water of Life

The Prospect of Judgment

The Age-Old Question

Josiah’s Reform

Solomon’s Temple

God’s Promise

David’s Hope

Living in God’s Son

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