2/20/2005 Trading Blessing for Banishment: Cain
Cain murdered his brother and his curse was to be banished from God's presence. Cain traded a love relationship with God for a life of ceaseless wandering. All too many of us travel the "way of Cain" (Jude 11), because of envy and jealousy of those around us.

2/27/2005 Trading Priesthood for Power: Aaron/Miriam
Miriam and Aaron held high positions. Miriam was distinguished as a prophetess above all women. Aaron had been designated by God as the high priest -- the spiritual head of the whole nation. As they looked at the elevated preeminent position of Moses and saw his special calling, they became envious and were no longer satisfied with their own roles. Miriam and Aaron challenge Moses leadership desiring to trade their spiritual responsibilities for political power.

3/6/2005 Trading the Way of Wisdom for the Way of the World: Solomon
Solomon is offered anything he wants from God. He chooses wisdom instead of riches and glory. However as the years go by, he trades wisdom for a life of worldly pleasure. Will this tradework out? Or will his pursiut of wealth, wine, and women lead to a meaningless existence?

3/13/2005 Trading the King's Portions for God's Provision: Daniel
Daniel refused to live as a passive victim of circumstance. If it hadn't been for a hostel takeover of Judah by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel no doubt would have held a prominent place in the temple. Instead he was forced to spend his life serving a foreign king. Yet, he decided to honor God by trading the king's portions for God's provisions and refused to eat the defiled food. Daniel's courage and initiative ultimately won him favor with the king. What do you do when you end up in Babylon? Do you find ways to persist, to endure, and to grow? Or do you betray your deepest commitments?

3/20/2005 Palm Sunday Trading Paneling for a Palace: Zerubbabel
The nation of Israel came out of Persian bondage and went home to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple of God and restore true worship. Zerubbabel led these efforts, but when opposition arose, they traded building a palace for God for building their own finely paneled houses. Many of us start out working to please God and put Him first, but all too often He ends up as a mere second thought. Haggai challenges Zerubbablel and the people to trade their Paneling for a Palace. Similarily John the Baptist preached to the Jews to turn from their sin and place their faith in the Messsiah, the true sacrifice lamb. When Jesus entered Jerusalem the people shout "Hosanna" seemingly recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. However, they trade their Hosannas for shouts of accusation when they refuse to trade their easy worship for a worship that may cost them something.

3/27/2005 Easter Trading Convictions for Control: Pilate  Click For Pilate on the Beach Page
Today we will focus on Pilate's encounter with Jesus. During Jesus trial Pilate seems convicted that Jesus is an innocent man and perhaps that he is more than just a mere man. However, if he acts on that conviction he fears losing control over the crowd. So Pilate trades his inner convictions for control and hands Jesus over to be crucified.

4/3/2005 Trading Control for the Comforter: Us (Part1)
Look around you at God's people and you are looking at God's dream house, because the place where God most wants to dwell is with His people. Right here on earth we can experience God deeply as we allow Him to take control of every area of our lives. Our bodies are the temple of the Comforter, i.e., the Holy Spirit. As we trade or hand over control of our lives to Him, we find rightesousness, peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit.

4/10/2005 Trading Control for the Comforter: Us (Part2)
Look around you at God's people and you are looking at God's dream house, because the place where God most wants to dwell is with His people. Right here on earth we can experience God deeply as we allow Him to take control of every area of our lives. Our bodies are the temple of the Comforter, i.e., the Holy Spirit. As we trade or hand over control of our lives to Him, we find rightesousness, peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit.

4/17/2005 Trading Earthly Spaces for Eternal Spaces: God
This world is not our ultimate home. God is preparing a new home for us in Heaven. If there is really more to this life than this life, then why are we so unwilling at times to trade our earthly spaces and our earthly pursuits for eternal spaces and eternal pursuits?