Zechariah 1 -2 When we read the prophets we come away with our minds swirling because in our 21st century we know we are reading a historical record with implications for our spiritual lives. A new administration under Cyrus allowed the exiles to return to rebuild the Temple. In that time Isaiah prophesied that this […]
Habakkuk How often have you heard: “God doesn’t answer prayer” or “I tried faith, but it didn’t work.” Beloved know this; those who say this won’t believe even if and when the evidence is presented to them. They are obstinately content to live and walk in darkness. As one of Jeremiah’s contemporaries, Habakkuk teaches us […]
Amos 7 to 9 God asks the sheepherder and agriculturist Amos: Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? It is a rhetorical question, of course. Later, as Amos walked the halls and fields of the northern kingdom, he “saw” or beheld God making locusts that would devour the crops, followed by […]
Daniel 7 to 9 Daniel has been in Babylon for a v-e-r-y long time. In that time, he has faithfully served the Babylonian kings as he reverently continues to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is as if Daniel has put on a pair of virtual-reality glasses. He sees the heavenly […]
Ezekiel 25 to 27 God chose Israel to carry His message of love and forgiveness to the world. However, she decided to allow the foreign gods to infiltrate her land and her worship of Yahweh. Know this truth: judgment begins at God’s house, but He also sees others’ contempt and in His righteousness will also […]
Jeremiah 33 In times of quiet, our hearts are more open to the “word of the Lord,” because the distractions are minimized. Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the guard, but walls or circumstances do not bind the Lord’s word. It is still true today. God is anywhere you are. You may be […]
Jeremiah 11/12 Is there ever a time when you stop praying for a person? We answer, no, but then we read Jeremiah and hear God say: “Do not pray for these people. Do not cry out to me or petition me on their behalf. Do not plead with me to save them. I will not […]
Isaiah 64 to 66 If you have ever worked on a jigsaw puzzle, you know that you must have patience as you search for that piece that seems to hide in the pile of pieces. God is a master at puzzles, and although we do not know where that persnickety piece is, God has no […]
Isaiah 58-59 If there is one thing, both Isaiah and Jesus saw it was the fake responses of the religious leaders and the people. God hates or “abhors dishonest scales, but an accurate weight is his delight.” [Prov 11:1] It is easy for us to point fingers, but how often are we less than genuine […]
Isaiah 49 Of all the disciples, only John remained at the cross and witnessed the death of Jesus. In the evening, Jesus came and stood before them, but Thomas was absent. He had said I will not believe unless I can put my hands in the holes where the nails penetrated. Jesus lovingly came and […]
