Philippians: We read in James to have joy in all of our trials and temptations that come our way. In Philippians, Paul reminds his audience that joy is internal and leads to our external. It must begin there before we can share it outside, and Paul is our example, even amidst the persecution he faced […]
John 7 The brothers of Jesus did not believe in him as Messiah, so they sought to put a guilt trip on him about revealing himself to the crowds. Jesus wisely said it is not my time, so he remained home. What caused him to change his mind is anybody’s guess. But, he set out […]
John 2 Many a year ago, we were married, but the day much like this story in John 2, had a very embarrassing moment. After saying our vows, the photographer insisted he take us to take photos. Unbeknownst to us, the drama in the church was just beginning. The day was exceedingly hot, and the […]
Mark 1; Luke 3; Matthew 3 Fast Forward Once John the Baptist opened the hearts of men, people revealed the depths of their longing for the Messiah and His power. God does not disappoint, and Jesus comes onto the scene, proving he is the long-awaited Messiah. John was the voice; Jesus, the messenger prophesied long […]
Malachi 1-4 Malachi, Malachi, what are you telling me? You are telling me the same thing Jeremiah has told me in chapter 3 of his book. People are sinful and unrepentant. They are told that simple statement and reject it. Both authors use the Socratic method of God asking a question and the people responding. […]
Zechariah 1-7 Return and Be Blessed The OT prophets have a recurring theme for the Jews: they must return to God and His ways in order for Him to bless them. They remind the Jews that way back in Moses’ time, God clearly told them how He would bless them, and here it is again […]
Joel 1-3 Climate Change is the buzzword of the day. We hear about it and are reminded that the cause is humans and their thirst for fossil fuels. Yet, in the years 1930-1939, the USA experienced what has been termed the Dust Bowl. It was because the farmers in the Midwest over-plowed and removed the […]
Ezekiel 40-41 For Such a Time as This This phrase was given to Queen Esther when she hesitated to speak to her husband, the king, about Haman’s treachery. Mordecai told her that perhaps she had been put in her position ‘for such a time as this.’ She asked her maids to fast (and we imagine, […]
Jer 51-52 In these two chapters, Jeremiah draws his life to a close with the prophecy about Zedekiah, which is ultimately fulfilled. How often are we warned by God to repent and follow His way, but most of us are like Zedekiah: stubborn, disobedient, and unbelieving? This is the last account of Jerusalem’s fall and the […]
Habakkuk 1-3 Habakkuk has been given a bird’s eye view of the world and God’s judgment. He doesn’t understand why God would choose the evil empire of Babylon to judge his people, but then God reveals why through the use of illustrations beginning with “woe.” God pronounces three woes. Woe to him who covets evil gain. […]
