TimFortner.com

Judges 1

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Judges 1: The book of Judges starts with this ominous note recording the death of their last leader appointed by God : “ After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord,” Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites? “ Last week we looked back to  … Read more

I John 5: 14-21

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Praying Boldly- I John 5: 14-21 I remember  those days following  9-11.  Wednesday prayer meeting looked like Easter Sunday. Gina and I were living in Florida at the time, attending Indian Rocks Baptist Church. Our pastor, Charlie Martin, made this statement:  in times of tragedy, people want someone to pray, call on God for help … Read more

I John 5: 1-13

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I John 5 1-13:  Blessed Assurance I write these things to you who believe in the NAME of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal  life.” ( I John 5:13) {There is something about that NAME  isn’t there?} As  we near the end of our study of John’s first … Read more

I John 2

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John 2: 1-4 The Footsteps of Jesus My little children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.” John has a pastor’s heart and it shows in his affectionate term for his flock- my little children. This is a family letter- written to members of the family of God. Notice John does … Read more

I John 1-5

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I John 1: 1-5    Life with Father Before we begin this study, I want us to see John as a young, impetuous man before we read the words of the older mature John. John would write not only the gospel of John, but his three epistles here and the book of Revelation. Only Luke and Paul … Read more

I John 3

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I John 3. “TAKE THIS JOB- AND LOVE IT!” Verse1:  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God, therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not. (KJV)   NIV states- How great is the love the Father has lavished on … Read more

I John 4:1-6

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I John 4. The Tests for the ‘Real Thing.” Do you remember  the ‘cola wars’?  The advertising campaign was based on a taste test to see if you could identify the real Coca-Cola.  Consumers overwhelmingly picked Coca-Cola as the ‘real thing’.  And the tag line became- Coca-Cola- The Real Thing. In Psalms 34- the scriptures … Read more

I John 4:7-21

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I John 4: Part 2.  “ What the World Needs Now…” ‘What the world needs now- is love, sweet love; it’s the only thing that there is just too little of” Burt Baccarach, circa 1960’s song. “When I fall in love- it will be forever. In a restless world like this is- love is over … Read more

Genesis 6-9

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Genesis 6:  Noah and the Flood  When we come to the story of Noah, we once again find a character from the early chapters of Genesis who made it to the Hebrews Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. In verse 5 we read that God saw how great the wickedness was on earth. We are … Read more

Genesis 35

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Genesis 35:  Jacob Returns to Bethel. Verse 1 of this chapter starts out with God speaking to Jacob. It makes me wonder had Jacob been calling on the Lord since the slaughter of the men of Shechem by his sons. Surely given the circumstances of what had happened in Schechem, Jacob was desperate to hear … Read more

Genesis 37

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  Genesis 37: The Story of Joseph Begins    What we are about to observe in this last section of Genesis is two fold: Joseph must be prepared for his role of leadership and this will involve a 13 year journey whose hardships will humble Joseph and clear the path for fellowship with his brothers. … Read more

Genesis 38

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  Genesis 38: The Story of Judah and Tamar    (Additional scripture: I John 1: 5-2:1) Verse1 tells us “ at that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah.   ‘At that time’ refers to the time after they had sold Joseph into slavery ( Judah’s … Read more

Genesis 39

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  Genesis 39: Joseph in Egypt    In the last chapter we saw what happened to Judah when he was not in fellowship with the Lord. Recognizing that fellowship with the True and Living God is the secret and source to power over sin and temptation we see that Judah was finally forced to see … Read more

Genesis 40

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  Genesis 40 -41: HE knows the way I take.     Joseph had a can-do spirit- but he also had a ‘cannot spirit.’ . When it came to sin against his employer/owner, Potiphar and sin against God- Joseph said I cannot do such a wicked thing.     Do you have a can do … Read more

Genesis 41

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  Genesis 41-42:  From Rags to Riches.     Joseph is the “Cinderella Man” isn’t he? In just a matter of moments he goes from rags to riches. When we last saw Joseph standing in the court of the Pharaoh, he had just interpreted the dream successfully and told the king and his counselors what … Read more

Genesis 27

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  Genesis 27.     The end of chapter 26 tells us Esau was 40 years old when he took to wife Judith a Hittite. We are told this grieved Isaac and Rebekah. It also reveals how little interest Esau really had in the Covenant Promise and blessing and had no interest in God’s Word. … Read more

Genesis 28

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Genesis 28:  Jacob’s Journey   Isaac seems to have been shocked out of his carnal lethargy and now realizes what was almost a huge mistake in blessing Esau rather than Jacob. So now in the clear light of God’s will, he will bless Jacob again with the convenant blessing.  Notice the name of God Isaac … Read more

Genesis 29

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  Genesis 29: Jacob Arrives at His Uncle Laban’s House.   The next three chapters of Genesis record the 20 years Jacob spent in the employment of his Uncle Laban.  Jacob left Bethel a different man from what he was when he left his home. In New Testament terminology, Jacob was saved at Bethel. Now … Read more

Genesis 30

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  Genesis 30:  “ Let’s Make a Deal.”     This chapter sees Jacob’s family increase, another encounter with his father-in-law and a series of deals not only with Laban but also with Leah and Rachel.     Jacob sometimes seems to be the man who is always trying to please all those around him. … Read more

Genesis 31

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  Genesis 31:  A New Beginning.    In verses1-3:  we see that Jacob perceives the resentment and change in attitude of Laban’s sons and Laban himself toward Jacob. Word has come to Jacob that Laban’s sons were complaining and bitter over Jacob’s prosperity and that the wealth Jacob had gained- rightfully belonged to their father … Read more

Genesis 32

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  Genesis 32:  Jacob’s Return. Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!    Having left Laban behind, Jacob’s journey and thoughts turn toward his return to Canaan and meeting with Esau – face to face.     As it was at Bethel, Jacob is met in some fashion by the angels of God. Consider the following:  Jacob … Read more

Genesis 33

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  Genesis 33:  A New Name – a New Walk?     Jacob has a new name- Israel- he has also acquired a pronounced  limp. A reminder of his encounter with the Living God.  He is , as we continue to see, a flawed man who has a tendency to fall into old patterns of … Read more

Genesis 34

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Genesis 34: Dinah Defiled In this chapter, you will not read or hear the name of God. His Name ended chapter 33- it starts chapter 35. But in this chapter there is no mention of His Name. We do not see Jacob or anyone calling upon the name of the Lord. How can any of … Read more

Genesis 19

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  Genesis 19- The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This is a sad story in this chapter- made even sadder when you realize how much like Sodom and Gomorrah we have become in the United States and indeed in the world.   Twice in Genesis, God has revealed to us there is a ‘ tipping … Read more

Genesis 20

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  Genesis 20:  The Old Nature  The incident recorded in this chapter regarding Abraham’s action is somewhat of a shock. Here is Abraham doing the same thing he did 30 years ago. We would have thought Abraham had reached a point of spiritual maturity that he would not commit such a sin as he had … Read more